Category: Island Update

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the aftermath has revealed vast expanses of exposed soil in various landscapes. These sunlit areas provide ideal conditions for numerous opportunistic species to sprout and thrive. As spring progresses, homeowners are noticing the emergence of unfamiliar plants in their yards, prompting the question, “What is this growing in my yard?” Fortunately, the following plants, which have been observed across the entire island, are native species that offer ecological benefits and can enhance the value and diversity of your landscape.

MOONFLOWER

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) is a rapid-growing vine belonging to the morning glory family. It features heart-shaped leaves and can extend its stems to a length of 15 feet or more. The plant’s fragrant, white flowers unfurl in the evening and continue to bloom throughout the night, attracting moths and other nocturnal pollinators.

CRESTED SALTBUSH

Crested saltbush (Atriplex cristata) is typically found in dunes and salt marshes along most of Florida’s coastal regions. With its low, trailing branches, this plant can grow up to 2 feet in height. Its foliage possesses a distinctive silvery-green hue, which adds visual interest to the landscape.

SWEETSCENT

Sweetscent (Pluchea odorata) is a native wildflower that naturally thrives in marshes and coastal hammocks throughout Florida. During the summer, dense clusters of sweet-smelling pink flowers adorn this plant, attracting butterflies and bees.

These native plants not only adapt well to the local environment but also play a vital role in supporting wildlife and preserving the natural ecosystem. By incorporating them into your landscape, you can enhance the beauty and ecological value of your property.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported on May 3 that a total of 20 loggerhead sea turtle nests have been recorded on the islands since April 22. The first nest was discovered by SCCF volunteers on Captiva, marking the beginning of the nesting season.

Unfortunately, due to recent extreme high tides and winds, some of the newly formed nests were washed over. However, the SCCF staff clarified that this doesn’t necessarily mean a complete loss. There is still a possibility that some of these nests may produce viable eggs, and the team will continue to monitor them closely in the coming weeks.

Carley Nolan, a sea turtle technician, stated, “While wash overs can result in the inundation of egg chambers, it is possible for some of these nests to still have viable eggs, and we will continue to monitor them over the next several weeks. Although the start of the nesting season has been unpredictable, we are excited to see what the rest of the season holds.”

It is worth noting that April 22 marks the third-earliest recorded loggerhead nest laid on Sanibel or Captiva. The earliest documented nest was on April 15 in 2020, followed by April 16 in 2018.

Due to the $20 million renovation project of The Naples Players, Downtown Naples’ Fourth Avenue South will be closed on Monday and is expected to reopen in January 2024. The Naples City Council unanimously approved the closure after discussing the impact of the construction on this prime location.

The closure will affect the stretch of Fourth Avenue South between Sixth and Eighth streets, and the intersection of Fourth Avenue South and Seventh Street South will be completely closed. However, the parking garage to the east of The Naples Players will remain open to the public, as well as the Inn on Fifth and Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab restaurant to the west.

During the construction period, the crane will be situated on Fourth Avenue as The Naples Players’ location on Fourth Avenue and the need to keep alleyways open leave no other option. The northwestern part of the building along Fourth Avenue will be demolished and reconstructed.

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May 6, 2023 – May 7, 2023,

7:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Brave New Pops 3 – THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA

Get ready for an electrifying musical experience as the Southwest Florida Symphony, the fourth oldest orchestra in Florida and the only professional orchestra in Lee County, joins forces with THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA! In this thrilling modern-day classical music concert, the final Brave New Pops concert of the symphony’s 62nd season, prepare to be blown away by unparalleled symphonic rock performances. Join us on May 6th and 7th at two amazing venues for an unforgettable show featuring the greatest hits from albums like Strange Magic, Do Ya, Don’t Bring Me Down, Evil Woman, Livin’ Thing, Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin’ Woman, Telephone Line, Ma-Ma-Ma Belle, Mr. Blue Sky, and Roll Over Beethoven. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime musical event!

Concerts will be held at:

May 6 at 7:30 p.m.: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
May 7 at 4 p.m.: Charlotte Performing Arts Center, Punta Gorda

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June 16, 2023 – June 18, 2023, 4:00 Pm to 1:00 Am

Come and be part of the 5th annual Captivaville Songwriters Weekend held at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa! This music festival is the highlight of Captiva Island’s summer season, showcasing the best local singer-songwriters. 72 hours of non-stop entertainment, under the sun, with amazing live music and the ultimate summer party experience. Don’t miss out on the biggest event of the season!

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The City of Cape Coral will hold a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cape Coral Shared-use Nonmotorized Trail on May 12 at 10 a.m. at the northwest corner of Kismet Parkway and Northwest Ninth Avenue. This SUN Trail Network connects Burnt Store Trail to Del Prado Boulevard via a 6.5-mile-long paved trail for bicyclists and pedestrians. Phase One, a 3.5-mile-long segment along Kismet Parkway from Nelson Road to El Dorado Boulevard, is complete and marks the occasion. Phase Two will begin in 2025 and add another 3 miles to the segment, while Phase Three will connect Del Prado Boulevard to the city limit at Northeast 24th Avenue. The Florida Department of Transportation awarded the city a $1.8 million grant to design and engineer this project in 2017.

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The Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board has recommended an 18-month extension for The Irving Downtown apartment complex in downtown Fort Myers, pushing the start-of-construction date to May 31 and completion date to December 31, 2025. The 12-story, 98-unit complex, located in the historic River District, was granted a $4 million tax increment rebate by the CRA Board of Commissioners in 2021 and will feature one- and two-bedroom apartments with amenities. The request for extension is due to delays in converting concrete poles and hanging wires to underground utilities. Developer Rebekah Barney has expressed concerns about mobilizing for construction without a clear timeline for the utility conversion. The extension recommendation will be presented to the CRA commissioners for consideration.

Federal funding of $8 million has been granted to The Greater Dunbar Initiative, a $300 million project that aims to rejuvenate a section of the Dunbar community east of downtown Fort Myers. The funds will be awarded to the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers, with $5 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a $3 million federal appropriation secured by U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. The $5 million will be used to improve housing options in the Southward Village public housing community, while the $3 million will be allocated to the first phase of the project, which includes constructing a 92-unit housing development on Cleveland Avenue. The Greater Dunbar Initiative aims to turn the 199-unit Southward Village development into a mixed-income community with added retail, dining and entertainment facilities.

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Lee County has recently established the Office of Strategic Resources & Government Affairs to enhance the county’s competitiveness in securing and managing grant funds. The decision follows the county’s receipt of federal funds from the Housing and Urban Development, Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, and American Rescue Plan Act. The new department will be led by Glen Salyer, who has been an assistant county manager for over five years and has previously served as the county’s legislative liaison. The HUD funds received will be channeled to Lee County to support the long-term recovery process after Hurricane Ian, and the new department will oversee the allocation and management of these funds. The Office of Strategic Resources & Government Affairs will work on developing a plan that will specify the management, oversight, and use of the funds in consultation with HUD, and will report to the Lee County Manager. Additionally, the department will manage external funding policies and procedures, guide the grant proposal-seeking process, and ensure transparency and accountability in reporting on the status of grants to the county commissioners, grantors, and the public.

On April 22, which is Earth Day, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) announced the discovery of the first sea turtle nest of the year on Captiva. The nest was identified by two SCCF volunteers who spotted the female turtle’s tracks leading to the nest in the morning. The volunteers immediately marked off the area to safeguard it from any disturbance caused by humans. To report a sea turtle nest or a false crawl or to express any concerns related to nesting or injured sea turtles, one can contact the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663 (978-SAVE-ONE).