Category: Island Update

Registration is now open for the South Seas Captiva Island Triathlon, happening September 28 on Captiva Island. Sponsored by South Seas, Lee County Sports Development, and Trek Bike Shops Florida, the event promises a memorable combination of Gulf swimming, biking on closed roads, and a scenic island run.

Sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the event welcomes athletes of all levels with multiple race options:

• Super Sprint Triathlon: 200-yard swim, 5-mile bike ride, 1.5-mile run

• Sprint Triathlon: Quarter-mile swim, 10-mile bike ride, 5K run

• Sprint Duathlon: 1-mile run, 10-mile bike ride, 5K run

• Sprint Aquabike: Quarter-mile swim, 10-mile bike ride

Note: Registration for the Sprint Relay closed on September 23.

Awards & Divisions

Awards will be presented three deep in male and female divisions for overall, age groups (15 and under up to 80+), para, athena, clydesdale, and relay teams (male, female, co-ed). Masters winners (age 40+) will also be recognized. Aquabike awards will be given overall and by age group.

Race Day Details

• Start Time: 7:30 a.m.

• Road Closures: Captiva Drive will be closed at Blind Pass from 6:45 to 9 a.m.

• Entry Fees: $139 for the Super Sprint; $159 for Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon, or Aquabike

• Registration Deadline: September 28 at midnight

Extras for Participants

Athletes booking a stay at South Seas will enjoy full guest benefits, plus special weekend event activities.

For details or to register, visit: runsignup.com/Race/FL/CaptivaIsland/CaptivaIslandTriathlon.

The Periwinkle Way Milling and Resurfacing Project has officially started. The work spans from 500 feet west of Casa Ybel Road to about one-third of a mile east of Donax Street.

Project Details and Schedule

The initial phase of the project involves drainage repair along the north side of Periwinkle Way. This includes installing swales and concrete pipes on Main Street, Fitzhugh Street, Palm Street, and Center Street. This work will take place during the day, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Within the next few weeks, the second phase of the project—milling and paving—is scheduled to begin. To minimize traffic disruption, this work will occur during evening and overnight hours, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The City of Sanibel will announce the exact start date for this phase through a news release and on its official website and Facebook page.

The entire project is estimated to take approximately 120 days to complete, but this timeline is subject to change based on weather conditions.

Public Advisory

While work is underway, access to all residences and businesses will be maintained. The public is urged to drive slowly and cautiously through the work zones when crews are present. Signage and flaggers will be on-site to help direct traffic and ensure safety.

For more information, you can contact the City of Sanibel Public Works Department by email at sanpw@mysanibel.com or by phone at (239) 472-6397.

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) has provided the latest update on the 2025 Captiva Beach Renourishment Project. The project, which is being coordinated with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company and APTIM, is currently on schedule and officially began on September 20, starting at the south end of the island.

Project Timeline and Progress

The project is expected to be a continuous operation, running 24/7 for an estimated 56 days. Work is scheduled to be completed by November 20.

The beach has been divided into eight work zones, with construction progressing from south to north. The project timeline is as follows:

• Week 1 (Sept. 20–27): Work is focused on the Turner Beach area.
• Weeks 2–8 (Sept. 28–Nov. 15): The project will systematically move northward along the island.
• Week 9 (Nov. 16–20): Final touch-ups and completion are scheduled to take place near Redfish Pass.

Parking and Beach Access

The Turner Beach Parking Lot will be closed from September 5 to October 12 to be used as a staging area. The Alison Hagerup Parking Lot will also have a temporary closure in October, with the exact date depending on the project’s progress.

During construction, portions of the beach will be temporarily closed in active work zones but will reopen shortly after the crew moves on. Equipment and pipes will be present along the beach, so residents and visitors should use caution and follow all posted signs and detours.

Key Project Highlights

The project aims to place up to 1 million cubic yards of sand on Captiva’s shoreline. This effort will use the “Amelia Island,” a brand-new, high-capacity dredge vessel that is considered the most efficient dredge ever used for the island’s restoration.

This renourishment project is vital for the island, as it provides storm protection, helps preserve properties, and ensures continued recreational access for the community.

The CEPD thanks everyone for their patience and cooperation as they work to protect and preserve Captiva’s shoreline. For more information, including maps and progress updates, residents can visit the CEPD website or contact their office directly.

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation recently announced its decision to sell its significant 22-acre property on Captiva Island, a move that has sparked conversation and action among local organizations. The announcement, made on August 27th, stated that the foundation plans to sell the land, which has been home to the prestigious Rauschenberg Residency.

The foundation cited rising environmental challenges and escalating maintenance costs as the primary reasons for the sale. A sustainability assessment confirmed that the property would require substantial investment to ensure its long-term resilience, an investment that the foundation felt would be better used to support a wider range of mission-driven programs for artists and institutions elsewhere.

The sale will mark the end of the Rauschenberg Residency on the island, though the program will continue to host artists until its final residency concludes in August of next year. The foundation’s Archives Research Residency program in New York will remain active, and there are plans to preserve the historic 1942 Fish House on the Captiva property.

A Collective Bid for Preservation

In response to the news, a number of island entities are exploring the possibility of purchasing the land. At a Captiva Community Panel meeting on September 9th, President David Mintz shared that a team is being formed to research a community acquisition of the property. The goal is to preserve the land as a public space or nature refuge, and to maintain the helicopter pad for the fire district’s use.

Mintz reported that the property’s value has been estimated at $40 million to $50 million. He also noted that several developers, including South Seas, are interested in the site. The property is currently zoned for a mix of single-family, commercial, and two-family use, with a density limit of three units per acre. However, Mintz cautioned that the county could rezone the land, referencing a recent rezoning of a local resort.

He also shared a powerful personal detail: Rauschenberg’s ashes are buried on the property. “So it behooves us to make sure that a hotel is not built on top of them,” Mintz said.

Official Actions Underway

The idea of a community purchase is gaining official traction. On September 11th, the Captiva Island Fire Control District board approved a resolution to conduct due diligence on a potential acquisition. The district sees the property as a strategic location to expand public safety services, including the establishment of a medical helicopter landing zone, a training facility, equipment storage, and a boat dock.

Similarly, the Captiva Erosion Prevention District board approved a resolution on September 18th to authorize a feasibility study and due diligence. The district’s interest lies in using the property to further its mission of erosion prevention, natural resource protection, and community resilience by providing a site for conservation, shoreline protection, and public access.

This coordinated effort highlights the community’s commitment to preserving a piece of Captiva’s heritage and ensuring the land’s future benefits the entire island.

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FISH of Sanibel-Captiva is excited to announce the sponsors for its 2025 JOG N JAM event! A big thank you to the following sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors:

• Heidrick & Co. Insurance

• Shell Point Retirement Community

• The Health Whisperer

• Zebis

Gold Sponsors:

• Billy’s Rentals

• Sanibel Air and Electric

Silver Sponsor:

• R.S. Walsh Landscaping

Bronze Sponsor:

• Jeanne and Bruce Grossnickle

Copper Sponsors:

• HomeTeam Pest Defense

• Over Easy Cafe

• Suncatchers’ Dream

The race will take place on Nov. 1 at The Community House on Sanibel, followed by a concert on Dec. 6 at the ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva.

Race registration is $50 for the 10K or 5K, and $40 for participants ages 16 and under (prices increase after Oct. 31). Virtual participation is available. Concert tickets are $75 for adults, $50 for ages 7-18, or a four-pack for $200 (while supplies last).

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, visit FISH of Sanibel-Captiva.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel is calling for passionate volunteers to assist in its baby room and rehabilitation efforts. As baby season ramps up, CROW is seeking individuals who can commit to regular shifts, with a focus on consistency, physical stamina, and efficiency in a fast-paced environment. Volunteers will be involved in hands-on animal care—feeding baby animals, following treatment schedules, and assisting with rehab.

While CROW is always looking for volunteers to help with projects and patient transport, their greatest need right now is for those ready to dive into daily animal care. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are required to attend an orientation.

If you’re ready to make a difference and help care for wildlife, visit CROW Volunteer Information for more details.

August rains brought much-needed relief to Sanibel’s wetlands, but inland lakes remain stubbornly salty, according to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). The dynamic nature of barrier islands like Sanibel means shifting salinities in its inland waterbodies, and while some areas have seen improvements, the effects of past storm surges are still being felt.

Heavy rains in August have rejuvenated shallow, brackish pools, providing a fresh environment for native frogs and toads to reproduce and disperse. “The heavy rainstorm on August 10, which brought nearly 12 inches of rain in just over 13 hours, flooded out brackish pools, improving our freshwater areas,” said Chris Lechowicz, SCCF’s Wildlife & Habitat Management Director.

As a result, species like marsh crayfish, southern leopard frogs, and Florida softshell turtles, previously struggling to find suitable habitats, are now able to return to these revitalized areas. Lechowicz explains, “Longer gaps between surge events will help wildlife populations rebuild and restore food webs and ecosystem balance.”

However, deeper, more permanent waterbodies on the island—such as the Sanibel Slough, Devitt Pond, and Gulf Ridge Marsh—continue to hold higher salinities, a lasting effect of recent hurricane surges. These areas have seen significant vegetation loss, particularly buttonwood trees and other hardwoods, which couldn’t survive in the salty waters.

Sanibel’s man-made lakes, created during the 1970s and 80s as part of residential developments, also remain salty. These lakes, originally filled with freshwater, were heavily impacted by the storm surge events, exchanging their freshwater for salty Gulf and Bay waters. Mark Thompson, SCCF Marine Lab Research Associate, notes that these lakes, such as Murex Lakes and Palm Lake, have slow freshwater recharge rates and remain highly saline, despite the August rains.

While the wetland areas are slowly recovering, Thompson adds, “It may take years for these larger lakes to support freshwater vegetation and wildlife again.”

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) has officially approved its operating millage rate and budget for the upcoming fiscal year, while also sharing important updates on the island’s major beach renourishment project.

Budget Approval

At its final budget hearing on September 12, the CEPD commission voted unanimously (4–0) to adopt an operating millage rate of 0.3740 mills, which matches the rolled-back rate and represents a decrease from the current 0.4128 mills for 2024–25.

The board also approved a $648,205 budget for fiscal year 2025–26. According to the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office, the district’s certified gross taxable value for non-exempt properties stands at $1.73 billion.

At the first budget hearing held earlier this month, a tentative rate of 0.5000 mills was considered. However, commissioners ultimately chose to proceed with the rolled-back rate.

Beach Renourishment Updates

General Manager Brighton Heard reported that preparations for the long-awaited beach renourishment are well underway. The Turner Beach parking lot closed September 5 to serve as a staging area for equipment, with work scheduled to begin on September 20.

Nicole Sharp of APTIM shared that the pre-project survey revealed the need for 1.2 million cubic yards of sand, significantly higher than the 800,000 cubic yards originally planned due to hurricane impacts. The project contractor, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, confirmed it can provide the additional sand at the same unit price of about $19 per cubic yard. However, this will extend the project timeline.

• Original bid: $26 million

• Additional sand needed: 400,000 cubic yards

• Estimated added cost: $7.66 million

Construction will advance northward along the island at a pace of 400–500 feet per day, operating continuously, 24/7, for an estimated 56 days.

• Turner Beach lot: closed through October 12

• Alison Hagerup Beach lot: will close temporarily during the project’s second phase

During construction, public access to active work zones will be restricted, while other areas of the beach remain open. Nighttime operations may generate light and noise, but CEPD confirmed that environmental protections—including on-site wildlife and water quality monitoring—are in place.

Commission Appointments

In other business:

• The board voted 4–0 to appoint Bernie Dupre to the vacant commission seat. A Captiva resident of 16 years with decades of management and investment experience, Dupre said his goal is to “help protect and preserve” the island.

• The commission also named Vice Chairman Rene Miville as the new treasurer.

Stay Connected

For project updates or questions, contact CEPD at 239-472-2472 or visit www.mycepd.com.