Category: Island Update

The sea turtle nesting season for Sanibel and Captiva commenced on April 15, with the earliest recorded nest on our beaches being laid by a loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) on the same day in 2020. Last year, the season’s first nest on the islands was laid on April 27, which means that we can expect the first nest any day now.

Every day from now until Oct. 31, members of SCCF’s sea turtle team will survey both islands at sunrise, searching for new nests, monitoring existing ones, and collecting inventory data on hatched ones. Five sea turtle species, which are either threatened or endangered, can be found in Florida’s waters and nesting on its beaches. These highly migratory creatures rely on coastal waters for foraging, migration, and breeding during various stages of life. Florida’s beaches are crucial nesting sites for globally important subpopulations, including the Northwest Atlantic loggerheads. The quality of Florida’s beaches is critical in attracting nesting turtles and producing healthy hatchlings, which can affect population trends.

Loggerheads, greens, and, in rare instances, leatherbacks and Kemp’s ridleys, use Sanibel and Captiva shores as essential nesting habitats from April through October. These turtles face numerous threats throughout their lives and are at high risk while on the beach. By following some basic guidelines, you can increase the chances of survival for nesting turtles and hatchlings.

You can help sea turtles that nest on Florida’s beaches, you just need to follow below rules

• Turn off or shield all lights that are visible from the beach.
• Do not use flashlights or cell phone lights on the beach. If necessary, use amber or red LED bulbs.
• Do not disturb the screens covering nests. They prevent predators from eating the eggs and the hatchlings emerge through the holes without assistance.
• Remove all beach furniture and equipment from the beach at night.
• Dispose of fishing line properly to avoid wildlife entanglement.
• Fill in large holes that can trap hatchlings and nesting sea turtles.
• Do not disturb nesting turtles – please do not to get too close, shine lights on, or take flash photos of nesting sea turtles.
• Pick up litter.
  In addition, boaters can do their part to keep the surrounding waters sea turtle-friendly by:

Avoid the area along the beach, if possible.

• Having a designated spotter on the boat to look out for sea turtles.
• Wearing polarized sunglasses to help with spotting sea turtles.
• Going as slow as possible in areas where sea turtles are or might be.

Please call to report any of the following concerns:

• Stranded sea turtles or hatchlings (live, injured, or dead)
• Nests that have been tampered with
• Eggs that have been dug up
• Exposed eggs or nests being washed away
• Unmarked nests you believe our sea turtle monitoring teams have missed (teams begin at sunrise and cover varying length sections of the beach)
• Daytime hatching
• Issues with beachfront lighting, holes dug on the beach, or beach furniture/unused equipment remaining on the beach from 9:00pm to 7:00am
• call +1 978-728-3663

LeAne Suarez, team leader of the LeAneSUAREZGroup has long been a committed member of her community participating in a variety of causes and organizations. Now, after Hurricane Ian, that commitment to the community is more important than ever. LeAne recently attended the BIG ARTS non-profit expo in March where she was able to connect with the organizations she has been involved with over the years, and to help raise awareness for the groups needing support during this time. There is a multitude of volunteer opportunities available for those looking to help our impacted areas. Here LeAne is pictured with organizers from the Captiva Island Historical Society, Captiva Civic Association, and Community Housing and Resources

Stevens Construction has been awarded the construction management services for The Island Cow, located at 2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The project involves the construction of a 5,754-square-foot restaurant that will offer both indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a commercial kitchen with a walk-in cooler and freezer. The design will incorporate Florida-style elements, such as a metal roof with a thatched roof entryway, a vibrant color scheme, and an outdoor tiki bar.

The new restaurant will be 1,000 square feet larger than the previous building that was destroyed in a fire last year. Southview Studios will serve as the architect of record, while Haley Ward will be responsible for civil engineering. Stevens Construction is currently in the pre-construction phase, providing budgeting, project scheduling, and cost-saving suggestions as the design progresses.

Construction of The Island Cow is set to commence in August, with a projected completion date of spring 2024.

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Christie’s will present, in May 2023, the most significant and valuable private assortment of jewelry to be sold at auction. The collection will feature a meticulously chosen assortment of pieces from the top 20th-century designers such as Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Heidi Horten (1941-2022) left a lasting mark on the world of jewelry collecting, having pursued a range of interests in fine and decorative arts throughout her lifetime. However, it was her extraordinary private collection of jewels that truly set her apart as a noteworthy figure.

Christie’s will showcase 700 lots from Horten’s collection through a series of auctions during Luxury Week in Geneva, starting from May 2023. The collection will be presented in two parts during live sales on May 10th and 12th, and an online sale from May 3rd to May 15th.

The upcoming sales will exhibit an array of exceptional and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces crafted by renowned 20th-century designers such as Cartier, Harry Winston, Boivin, and Van Cleef & Arpels. The collection will feature both vintage and contemporary designs, in addition to a significant selection of pearls, jade pieces, and Bulgari creations from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

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Join Adventures in Paradise for their annual Easter Egg Hunt & Dolphin Cruise on April 9. Departing from dock “G” at the Port Sanibel Marina, located at 14341 Port Comfort Road in Fort Myers, the event will have two sessions: from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

During the cruise, guests will have the opportunity to see dolphins in their natural habitat as they travel through San Carlos Bay. A knowledgeable captain and naturalist will be onboard to provide insightful narration throughout the journey. The destination is “Easter Island,” also known as Picnic Island, where participants will enjoy searching for more than 1,000 Easter eggs.

Easter pails and bottled water will be provided to all participants to ensure a comfortable experience. Tickets for the event are priced at $69 per adult and $59 per child, and reservations are required to secure a spot.

For tickets or more information, call 239-472-8443 or visit www.adventuresinparadise.com

As of April 4th, 2023, the J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge has reopened. Visitors can now access the Wild Drive, Visitors and Education Center, Wildlife Observation Tower, as well as sections of the Indigo Trail, Wildlife Education Boardwalk, and Wulfert Key Trail. Wild Drive will be open from 7am to 5pm, Saturday through Thursday, and closed on Fridays. The admission fees are $10 for vehicles and $1 for pedestrians and cyclists. Moreover, the Refuge Nature Store will be available from 9am to 4pm, Saturday through Thursday.

Sanibel Recreation Center Week at a Glance April 3rd to 9th

The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, located in Sanibel, has revealed plans to regrass the entire 18-hole championship course with Paspalum turfgrass, replacing the current Bermuda grass on the tees, fairways, and roughs.

The club has stated that Paspalum is considered the most adaptable warm season grass species, as it can withstand dry conditions and higher salinity levels that can be detrimental to other types of turfgrass.

Although regrassing is typically done gradually, the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club has decided to transition the entire course at once while simultaneously renovating the dining area and tennis/pickleball facilities, which were affected by a recent hurricane. The club is expected to resume operations on October 1st.

Part of The Inns of Sanibel, The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club is at at 949 Sand Castle Road, Sanibel.

On April 5th, the Lee County Commission will make a decision to either approve or deny the Eden Oak zoning request put forward by Romas Kartavicius, an Ontario-based developer, to construct 55 residential units and a 13 multi-slip docking facility on a 45-acre portion of the property, as reported by The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

According to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Eden Oak is situated near the Sanibel Causeway toll booth, west of Shell Point Boulevard, and is adjacent to the Caloosahatchee River mouth. The property spans 306 acres, comprising mangroves, wetlands, and uplands, and is highly environmentally sensitive. The proposed development would necessitate the dredging and filling of these ecologically significant areas. Not only does this region provide storm protection to the current neighboring residents, but it also serves as a habitat for wild birds, biologically vulnerable terrapins, and endangered sawfish.

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