Category: Island Update

The 10th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns to the beautiful beaches of Southwest Florida, kicking off 10 days of incredible performances from September 20 to 29th!

This year, the festival celebrates a decade of bringing fans closer to their favorite artists with intimate shows in stunning tropical venues. While most events are free and open to the public, some exclusive experiences require tickets.

Don’t Miss Out on These Ticketed Events:

• ACMA Showcase (Sept. 25, 6:30 PM): Witness the talent of BMI singer-songwriters Bill Metts, Robert Bidney, Karen Cohen, Bruce Gallant, and Roy Schneider at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.
• Jeffrey Steele with the Gulf Coast Symphony (Sept. 26, 7 PM): Experience the magic of five-time Grammy nominee Jeffrey Steele alongside the Gulf Coast Symphony at the Florida Repertory Theatre.
• Music Row @ Margaritaville (Sept. 27, 7:30 PM): Catch BMI singer-songwriters Kristian Bush, Kassi Ashton, and Shane Proffitt live at Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach. While general admission tickets are gone, VIP packages with reserved seating, a meet-and-greet, and drink tickets are still available!
• Island Hopper Grand Finale with Scotty McCreery (Sept. 29, 5 PM): Wrap up the festival with a pool party performance by headliner Scotty McCreery at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina! Sing along to his hits like “You Time,” “Damn Strait,” and the tear-jerking ballad “Cab in a Solo.”

Free Events and Beyond:

In addition to the ticketed shows, free live music fills the air at host venues throughout the festival:

• Captiva (Sept. 20-22)
• Cape Coral (Sept. 23-24)
• Downtown Fort Myers (Sept. 25-26)
• Fort Myers Beach (Sept. 27-29)

Download the Island Hopper app for a chance to win a dream vacation package, including a stay at the DiamondHead Beach Resort, McCreery tickets, and a gift bag!

Ready to Island Hop?

Head over to IslandHopperFest.com or download the app for complete details and to secure your tickets for the must-see events.

Wild lime (Zanthoxylum fagara) is a tough, low-maintenance plant that thrives in our sunny climate. This native Florida shrub or small tree can add a splash of color to your landscape with its foliage ranging from light yellow to deep green.

Adaptable and resilient, wild lime tolerates drought and even occasional saltwater flooding. It’s a champion of our region, having bounced back stronger than ever after Hurricane Ian.

A haven for wildlife, this plant is a favorite of the giant swallowtail and Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies. Its fragrant leaves can also be used as a unique spice in cooking.

Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance addition to your garden or want to support local wildlife, wild lime is an excellent choice.

Great news, Sanibel Island visitors and residents! Traffic has officially shifted to the permanent lanes on the Sanibel Causeway. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing restoration project following Hurricane Ian.

However, construction is still underway, so here’s what you need to know before your next trip:

What to Expect:

• Causeway Islands: Be aware that the islands surrounding the temporary roadway are currently closed to the public due to ongoing construction. This includes access from the water.
• Wildlife: Keep an eye out for protected beach-nesting birds that may be flying near the roadway. Please slow down and drive with caution.
• Westbound Traffic: Expect occasional traffic stops near the staging area entrance as construction equipment crosses the road.
• Debris Removal: Construction crews continue removing debris and working on the Causeway Islands. You might see construction equipment entering or leaving the travel lanes periodically.
• Westbound Merge: The westbound merge lane is now located west of the toll plaza. Remember to be cautious and obey the 20 mph speed limit.

Eastbound Traffic (From the Toll Plaza):

• Lane Closures: Expect temporary daytime lane closures on McGregor Boulevard (both eastbound and westbound) between Shell Point Boulevard and Punta Rassa Road. This is to prepare for a traffic shift scheduled for early August.
• Traffic Shift: Early next month, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on McGregor Boulevard for about a half mile (from Shell Point to west of Port Comfort Road) as crews reconstruct an underground pipe crossing. Traffic will be shifted north while they work on the south side, and then vice versa.
• Eastbound Lane: One lane of eastbound traffic will remain open from the toll plaza to Shell Point Road on the south (beach) side of McGregor. However, the shoulder on this side remains closed for construction. Crews are excavating and installing shoreline reinforcement measures.
• Westbound Delays: Westbound motorists on McGregor Boulevard might experience short delays as Florida Highway Patrol stops traffic to allow deliveries to the staging area at Punta Rassa.

Important Reminders:

• Oversized vehicles are using the causeway for recovery efforts. Be patient, as travel times may be longer than usual.
• Bicycles and pedestrians are not permitted on the causeway at this time.
• Obey the posted speed limit of 20 mph throughout the construction zone.

Stay Informed:

For the latest information on the Sanibel Causeway restoration project, visit the Florida Department of Transportation website: https://www.swflroads.com/SanibelCauseway

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel Island is excited to reveal its upcoming schedule for community field education programs. Running from August through December, the museum will offer a variety of engaging activities, including Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks, Live Mollusk Counts, Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls, and Beach Walks.

“These summer and fall programs provide wonderful opportunities for education, community science, and enjoyment,” said Jorden Falker, the museum’s Associate Director of Education. “Exploring our beautiful beaches and natural areas in Lee County is a fantastic way to learn and have fun.”

Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks

Join a museum educator for a walk through natural areas in Lee County, where you can observe and document land snails and other wildlife. This data will help scientists understand the distribution of land snail species in Southwest Florida.

Schedule:

• Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. – Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Estero
• Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. – Pond Apple Trail, Sanibel
• Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. – Koreshan State Park, Estero
• Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. – Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, Fort Myers
• Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. – Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East, North Fort Myers

Walks are free, but advance registration is required. Email jfalker@shellmuseum.org to register.

Live Mollusk Counts

Contribute to community science by helping document living mollusks at some of the year’s lowest tides on Sanibel’s Lighthouse Beach. This data is crucial for assessing the health of local mollusk species.

Schedule:

• Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.
• Nov. 18 at 8 a.m.

Counts are free, but advance registration is required. Email jfalker@shellmuseum.org to register.

Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls

Accompanied by a museum marine biologist, participants will stroll along Lighthouse Beach at low tide, learning about local mollusks and their shells while searching for live specimens.

Schedule:

• Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m.
• Nov. 17 at 7:30 a.m.
• Dec. 16 at 7:30 a.m.

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for museum members, and $5 for ages 17 and under. Beach parking is not included. Advance registration is required. Visit ShellMuseum.org/sunrise-stroll to register.

Beach Walks

Led by museum educators, these walks offer an introduction to local shells and shelling, with discussions about the morning’s finds.

Schedule:

• Wednesdays at 9 a.m., starting in December, at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel.

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for museum members, and $5 for ages 17 and under. Advance registration is required. For confirmed dates or to register, visit ShellMuseum.org/beach-walks.

For more information about these programs, visit ShellMuseum.org or contact jfalker@shellmuseum.org.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is located at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.

Starting July 18 and continuing through August 2, the vegetation along Sanibel-Captiva Road, including the Shared Use Path, will undergo trimming. Work will take place daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Due to the nature of the work, there may be intermittent lane closures. Drivers and pedestrians should expect possible delays and are urged to proceed with caution when passing through the area where workers are present.

For further information, please contact the Public Works Department at 239-472-6397.

A Remarkable Event on Sanibel Island

On June 28, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) sea turtle team documented a significant event: the hatching of a rare, endangered leatherback turtle nest on Sanibel’s west end. During the inventory of this nest, SCCF biologists and permitted volunteers recorded 113 eggs, with 40 successfully emerged hatchlings.

Historical Context of Leatherback Nesting

Leatherback nesting on the Gulf coast of Florida is a rare occurrence. The SCCF has only documented such nesting in three previous years: 2009, 2015, and 2020. Generally, leatherback nests account for only a few of the more than 1,000 sea turtle nests laid annually in Florida.

“Most leatherback nesting occurs on the east coast of Florida, primarily in Martin and Palm Beach Counties,” stated Kelly Sloan, Coastal Wildlife Director.

In both 2009 and 2015, only a single nest was documented each year. However, in 2020, six nests were laid across Sanibel and Captiva, with additional nests recorded along the central and southwest coasts.

Notable Moments from 2020

The year 2020 was significant for leatherback nesting on the Gulf coast. The first leatherback was satellite-tagged in collaboration with Florida Leatherbacks Inc., earning the name “Juniper.” By the time of her tagging, three nests were already present on the islands. Post-tagging, it was confirmed that Juniper nested multiple times on Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa.

Tracking data from Florida Leatherbacks Inc. showed Juniper traveled approximately 2,300 miles along the Gulf coast after her last nest on June 17, 2020, before her tracker ceased sending signals.

Leatherback Hatchings on Captiva and Sanibel

In 2020, Captiva saw its first leatherback nest, with 51 hatchlings successfully emerging from 89 eggs. This was the only successful hatching among the six nests, which collectively contained 504 eggs. No hatchlings emerged from the other five nests.

Compared to other sea turtle species, leatherbacks generally have a lower hatch success rate, a subject of ongoing research across the state.

The 2023 Leatherback Hatching

With an average of 700 loggerhead sea turtles nesting on Sanibel and Captiva from May to October, this year’s leatherback nest marks only the third time that SCCF has documented leatherback hatchlings on these beaches.

In 2009, SCCF recorded the first leatherback nest hatching on Sanibel’s east end, with 90 hatchlings emerging from 106 eggs. The 2015 leatherback nest, located on Sanibel’s west end, did not hatch due to being washed over nine times, resulting in 57 unhatched eggs and six spacer eggs.

Conclusion

The SCCF continues to play a vital role in monitoring and documenting the nesting activities of endangered sea turtles, contributing valuable data to the ongoing efforts to protect these magnificent creatures. The successful hatching of the leatherback nest this year is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the SCCF team and their volunteers.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced that traffic has been successfully moved to the permanent lanes on the Sanibel Causeway. The surrounding causeway islands are currently an active work zone and are closed to public access, including access from the water.

WEST FROM TOLL PLAZA

• Protected Birds: Beach-nesting birds are present on the Causeway Islands. Drivers are advised to slow down and stay alert as birds may be flying near the roadway.
• Traffic Interruptions: Expect intermittent traffic stops at the staging area entrance as equipment and materials cross the road for work on the south side of McGregor Boulevard.
• Ongoing Construction: Crews are continuing earthwork and debris removal along the Causeway Islands. Construction equipment will occasionally enter and leave the travel lanes. The contractor aims to minimize interruptions during peak hours.
• Westbound Merge: The westbound merge point is located west of the toll plaza. Drivers should exercise caution and adhere to the 20 mph speed limit. Construction vehicles and equipment are frequently entering and exiting the staging area near this location.
• U-Turn Work: Crews are also working on the off-island U-turn area under Span A.

EAST FROM TOLL PLAZA

• Upcoming Lane Closures: Starting late next week, motorists should expect temporary lane closures as crews prepare for a new McGregor traffic pattern.
• Lane Reductions: Later this summer, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on McGregor for about half a mile near Port Comfort Road. This is to allow crews to reconstruct a pipe crossing. Traffic will shift between the north and south sides as work progresses. Further details will be provided once the schedule is finalized.
• Eastbound Travel: One lane of eastbound travel will remain from the toll plaza to Shell Point Road on the south (beach) side of McGregor. The south/beach shoulder will remain fully closed to allow for the installation of marine mattresses to reinforce the shoreline. This closure will continue through the summer. The contractor may use this lane for materials delivery intermittently.
• Westbound Delays: Westbound motorists on McGregor may experience brief delays as the Florida Highway Patrol stops vehicles to allow materials deliveries to access the staging area at Punta Rassa.

Additional Notes

Many oversized vehicles are using the causeway to aid recovery efforts on the island, leading to slower travel times. Bicyclists are encouraged to find alternative transportation, and pedestrians are not permitted on the causeway. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted 20 mph speed limit throughout the work zone.

For more information about the project, visit Sanibel Causeway Project

The Friends of Randy of Sanibel proudly announced the winners of the 44th annual 4th of July Road Rally, held on July 4th. The event kicked off from the Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market on Sanibel and saw enthusiastic participation from numerous teams.

Top Placing Teams

• First Place: Founding Fathers
• Second Place: Caddy Issues
• Third Place: Karas Kruisers
• Coveted Last Place: Tips and Toez
• Best Decorated Car: Founding Fathers

Prizes Awarded

• First Place: Fishing charter courtesy of Whitney’s Bait & Tackle
• Second Place: Weber travel grill courtesy of Forever Green Ace Hardware
• Third Place: $200 in gift certificates from MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, Rosalita’s Cantina, and The Lighthouse Cafe
• Last Place: Free entry for next year’s rally
• Best Decorated Car: Gift card courtesy of the Over Easy Cafe

Additional Team Placements

• 4th Place: Mermaid Mafia
• 5th Place: Lost in Pace
• 6th Place: Santiva Sunshines
• 7th Place: Emeril Explorers
• 8th Place: Get a Clue
• 9th Place: Belding Babes
• 10th Place: Witches of East Lake
• 11th Place: Rip Tide
• 12th Place: Chicka Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
• 13th Place: Gateway 4
• 14th Place: Hooligans
• 15th Place: Papa’s Peeps
• 16th Place: On Island
• 17th Place: Mockingbird Mob
• 18th Place: Carter Clan
• 19th Place: Big Dumb Truck
• 20th Place: Bailey’s — Moon’s Team
• 21st Place: Lost Cheeseburger in Paradise
• 22nd Place: Day Dinkers
• 23rd Place: Wineaux
• 24th Place: Seagals
• 25th Place: Sanibel Supers
• 26th Place: Sanibel Misfits
• 27th Place: Long Shots
• 28th Place: Sanibel Serenity
• 29th Place: Good Sunsations
• 30th Place: Murex Maniacs
• 31st Place: Team Barbie
• 32nd Place: Red Rocket
• 33rd Place: Seaway Samaritans
• 34th Place: Dinkin’ Buddies
• 35th Place: The Poodles
• 36th Place: Pine Tree Drive
• 37th Place: Cabbage Palm Kids
• 38th Place: Fishing for Freedom
• 39th Place: 6 Loose Screws
• 40th Place: The Gateway Four

Special Mentions

• 50/50 Raffle Winners: Kevin and Joie Steele, who generously donated their $500-plus winnings back to the cause.

Beneficiaries

Proceeds from this year’s rally will benefit F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva. Additionally, a donation will be made to Community Housing & Resources to assist families with back-to-school supplies.

The Friends of Randy of Sanibel extend their heartfelt thanks to all participants, sponsors, and volunteers for making this event a resounding success. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Sanibel Island will host runners from around the world this December as the centerpiece of its annual fundraising event, JOG N JAM. Organized by F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, the 10K and 5K race has gained significant international attention.

Last year’s event drew participants from across the United States and as far away as Germany and the United Kingdom, totaling over 530 runners. This year, organizers anticipate another strong turnout.

“We are excited to welcome runners of all ages and abilities to our event,” said Leah Winkler, co-chair of the F.I.S.H. Race Committee. “It’s truly gratifying to see such widespread enthusiasm for our race.”

One international participant, Louise Rushmer, is eager to experience her first U.S. race on Sanibel Island. A long-time runner with a deep connection to the area, Rushmer is looking forward to supporting the community while enjoying her favorite pastime.

The JOG N JAM features a kids’ fun run, a concert by Funk You, and a fireworks display. Proceeds from the event benefit F.I.S.H., a local organization dedicated to providing social services and assistance to island residents.

Registration for the race and concert, as well as information about sponsorships, can be found on the F.I.S.H. website. Visit https://www.fishofsancap.org/jog-n-jam/.