Sanibel Captiva Foundation Conservation Celebrating Their 50th

Protecting nature and wildlife is a mission of the Sanibel Island community and city leaders. Part of the City of Sanibel’s mission statement describes Sanibel as the community’s sanctuary, “one in which a diverse population lives in harmony with the island’s wildlife and natural habitats.” Furthermore, the City strives to “be vigilant in the protection and enhancement of its sanctuary characteristics.”

Sanibel preserves its wildlife by resisting “pressures to accommodate increased development and redevelopment.” In fact, the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge , located on Sanibel Island, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the US. This wildlife refuge is known throughout the world for its migratory bird populations.

The mastermind behind preserving Sanibel’s wildlife is the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF).  The foundation conserves the coastal habitats and aquatic resources across 1300 acres of Sanibel and Captiva Island, and also owns an additional 500 acres on nearby Pine Island.

SCCF was founded on October 31, 1967 with a sole mission to protect natural resources and wildlife. Over time, they have acquired approximately 1,860 acres for preservation. They have also played an integral role in fighting for water quality by doing ongoing studies of mangroves, oysters, blue crabs sea grasses, algal blooms and sea trout and they have been involved in ecological and wildlife studies. SCCF also provides daily education programs for the public at their education center and the Bailey Homestead.

Last year, SCCF formed a special 50th anniversary committee in an effort to begin planning celebrations which kicked off in  November 2016 and are ongoing in 2017.

One of the things Linda Uhler, chairman of SCCF's 50th Anniversary Committee, plans to do is make existing programs even more special.

"What we did was challenged the staff and the committee to make programs and events that we're already doing more special for our 50th year. We coined a word 'anniversarize.' We wanted to bump those (programs) up and not add a lot of programs or events but just make them more special instead," Uhler said.

For example, SCCF "anniversarized" their annual "Ding" Darling Brush of Excellence Environmental Art Program Award by crowning renowned photographer Clyde Butcher as the winner.

For its 50th anniversary, SCCF  kicked  off Evenings at the Homestead. And Butcher returned to help launch it December 14.  At the end of February, SCCF  showed the film "Sonic Sea" as part of its new Evenings at the Homestead program.

The third program they're introducing is a farm-to-table dinner fundraiser March 31 for their native garden center.

On the day of its 50th anniversary, SCCF will hold open houses at all its facilities. And, on  November 11 they will hold a 50th anniversary party at the Bailey Homestead Preserve. More details on the events will be released in the coming months.

On going activities at SCCF include the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation where visitors can enjoy an observation tower that overlooks four miles of wooded hiking trails, exotic exhibits, an aquatic touch tank, a colorful butterfly house and a souvenir nature shop. The onsite Native Plant Nursery  has a wide selection of native plants for sale. If you have no landscaping experience, you’re in luck. Ask nursery plant experts for landscaping tips and available educational services before you leave! 

C.R.O.W. has a lot to crow about on Sanibel

Sanibel Island has a well deserved reputation as being a haven for wild life.

Laws, speed limits, lighting, are all focused on helping and saving our 4 legged and winged creatures.

The moment you drive on to the island ,  it is obvious this is a very different kind of place and that wildlife is king.

Be honest, where else have you seen signs warning of low flying owls?

In fact, have you ever seen such an exciting sight as a low flying owl?

Residents and visitors always have their eyes peeled and ears open for any sights or sounds of distress, and when they find one, they know exactly where to turn.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife aka C.R.O.W is the go to resource for any concerns about wildlife on the island.

Fully equipped to handle any intervention or emergency, the staff and volunteers at C.R.O.W have found, handled, cured and released hundreds of animals and birds over the long years of their existence. 

And although seeing and visiting the patients in hospital has many restrictions, C.R.O.W now offers a new page on their website where they carefully detail the status of any bird or animal admitted.

Looking at recent arrivals, it is very touching and encouraging to see the good outcomes for wildlife that would not have had a chance without the intervention of this wonderful organization.   Perusing some of these on the website, it is of special note that there is a wide variety of wildlife admitted.  And there is  great detail on each admittance, with wild life from all over the area taken in and cared for lovingly.

For example,  there is the Sandhill Crane, still in hospital who was found on a Fort Meyers Golf Course with multiple gun pellets in its legs , wings and thorax.  These are beautiful birds, protected in Florida, and to think someone would deliberately maim such a creature is pretty disturbing.  But the Crane is now doing well, and it is anticipated he will make a full recovery and be released.

But more often than not the patients were not harmed by man but by nature, such as the young Screech Owl who apparently fell from his nest or the baby River Otter who was abandoned by his mother.  In these and many cases handled by C.R.O.W, it is the human who has prevented further injury and death by bringing the ill or injured creature to C.R.O.W.

The number of wild life captured and cured is awesome.   Since its beginning in 1968, over 100,000  birds and mammals have been brought to C.R.O.W.  We are happy to report that most made it and were able to  live their  life back in the wild.  Bravo, C.R.O.W!!!!!

Bird Calls and Sounds on Sanibel: One great way to find our feathered beauties

Sanibel Island is so full of beautiful sights and enticing smells, it is easy to neglect the sounds of the Island.

The shells collecting on our beaches, often in the thousands, are like jewels from the sea.  On the right day, at the right time, they are a treasure waiting to be admired.

Similarly, our collection of birds is nothing short of amazing.

The larger wading birds, such as Reddish Egret, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron and Roseate Spoonbill literally gather by the hundreds on sandy spits in Ding Darling in low tide. 

Of course, other smaller birds can be found in these stunning assortment of birds.  Cormorants,  Spotted Sandpipers , dozens of Willets and many species are tucked in here and there into the large gatherings.

Now , in winter, large numbers of White Pelican are side by side with our year round residents, Brown Pelicans.

All of the above birds are easily sighted.  They are out in numbers, highly visible and rarely does a bird watcher have to rely on outside sources, such as binoculars, to spot them.

But winter time also brings a unique opportunity to those on island who delight in hope , that thing with feathers.  Sanibel Island is a popular migratory stop for dozens of species not seen here year round.  Most of these are the smaller birds, not easy to see no matter where.

That said, we have found our ears as are as helpful as our eyes in seeing these special  things.

The Warblers can often be heard in the canopy of trees with the sweet sound of the Yellow Warbler heard above the rest. 

This nearly solid yellow warbler can sometimes be confused with the goldfinch, but has a softer coloration that includes streaks of light brown. Like most warblers, the yellow warbler has a beautiful song that almost always begins with a rapid "sweet, sweet, I'm so sweet" followed by a dozen variations on that call. This is truly one of the most stunning of all the warblers.


We have many Warblers passing through in winter, but one we can count on to come and stay is the Palm Warbler.  The rusty-capped Palm Warbler can be most easily recognized by the tail-wagging habit that shows off its yellow undertail. It breeds in bogs and winters primarily in the southern United States and Caribbean. Its song is a weak trill and its call a thing "tsip" or sharp chirp.

But there are few birds more charming or more verbal than Blue Gray Gnat Catchers.  These tiny birds move so quickly among the deep canopy, you will almost definitely hear them before you see them.

 
Males have two song types. The simpler is a variable series of 4 to 8 short, soft phrases. This is sung early in the nesting season and, once nesting has begun, shortly after sunrise and in territorial disputes. It may occasionally be sung on wintering grounds. More complex songs are sung from early morning to midday. These continuous jumbles of sharp chips, high-pitched whistles, and mewing notes are 10 seconds or more long and often include mimicked bits from the repertoires of jays, tanagers, towhees, vireos, warblers, sandpipers, and other species. Songs may be sung from elevated perches, while feeding, or while in motion.

So, when wandering the island, it is always good to keep both your ears and eyes wide open.  It's worth the effort~~       






  

Looking back in the New Year: Sanibel History

There probably is no better time to examine history than at the start of a new year.

And though most come to Sanibel Island for shelling, birding, biking, fishing and swimming; there is history to the island that can be as engrossing.

Historians believe that Sanibel and Captiva were formed as one island about six thousand years ago, as sediment that rose from the sea after being shaped by centuries of storm activity. Dating as far back as 2,500 years, the native Calusa Indians were the first-known residents of the island.

Traces of the Calusa can be found on the island.  One of the best known and often walked is the Shell Mound Trail.  The last of the nature trails you’ll find while following Wildlife Drive through Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Shell Mound Trail provides a peek into the ancient history of Sanibel Island, with a boardwalk circling around mounds left behind by the Calusa who once populated these barrier islands. This 0.4-mile loop is entirely wheelchair accessible.

Follow the boardwalk from the trailhead into a tropical hardwood hammock and behold the magic. Snake plants thrive under the gumbo-limbo trees. Tall sea grapes shade the trail. At the trail junction, keep left. Long, thin barbed-wire cactus clambers up and over the saw palmettos, displaying showy yellow blooms in late summer. A giant Poinciana drips with huge bean pods like overgrown mimosa seeds, its lacy leaves creating a delicate green screen against the blue sky. Wild coffee sags under the weight of its dark red beans.

The boardwalk continues up and over a shell mound covered in dense tropical vegetation. A citrus aroma pervades the air, coming from a grove of lime trees planted by an early settler. Dropping down off the shell mound, the trail loops into a mangrove forest with enormous trees, white mangroves towering more than 30 feet tall. Sluggish tannic water glows with an orange hue, reflecting the tangled jungle of mangrove roots. Special flowers like Bromeliads flourish in the canopy. The boardwalk rises up to complete the loop. Turn left at the T intersection, emerging at the parking area after 0.4 mile.

But if you seek a concentrated dose of Sanibel history, your first stop might be the Sanibel Historical Museum.  Sanibel Historical Museum and Village was founded in 1984 with a mission to preserve and share Sanibel history. The story of Sanibel is told from the Calusa and Spanish eras to the early pioneer families who settled on the island in the 1800s. It tells of warriors, adventures, fishermen, farmers and proprietors.

Seven historic buildings were moved from their original island sites to the Historical Village. Each building has been restored to its original state. Volunteer docents share the stories of Sanibel with almost 10,000 visitors a year in these unique spaces.

All 7 buildings are restored and  steeped in history spanning many decades.  The oldest of the grouping is the Sanibel School House, and the name officially, is indicative of the times. In 1896, the East Sanibel School for White Children was built on the corner of Bailey Road and Periwinkle Way and then moved farther up Periwinkle in 1903 where it sat for over 100 years. The building, a classic one-room schoolhouse, had a platform in the front where different grades took turns doing lessons with the teacher. In the center was a wood stove used to warm the room in winter as well as to heat soup and cocoa. In 1932, a second room was added, more windows installed, and the schoolhouse was able to house grades one through eight. In the 1960s, after a new school house was built, the building became a theater. In December of 2004, the building was moved to the Historical Village.

So while it is difficult, we know, to turn away from the abundant flora and fauna on Sanibel to dive into history instead of our alluring Gulf, the experience of researching the Island does enhance every other aspect of being here.  Happy New Year, everyone!

Rocking to the Island beat: Music on Sanibel

Ahh , the tranquility of tropical barrier islands.

The waves.

The shells.

The birds.

The star filled skies.

Everything in our natural world here puts you at ease, makes you feel calm, enhances your inner peace.

One can be quite content just sitting on the lanai at night listening to the breezes blow through  the palms,  or perhaps you prefer bringing out some music of your own..... and listening to your favorite  songs as you enjoy the meal you have prepared yourself.

But sometimes all that bliss needs a bit of a change.  You know the old saying about too much of a good thing.

So where do you go to put some bubbles into your champagne and change your place and pace?

There are a few good options.

One of the prettiest venues on the Island, Traditions offers not only a Gulf view, good food and great service, it also has some terrific entertainment as well. You would need to check ahead of time for other dates and performances, but an upcoming event might bring you there soon.  One of Southwest Florida’s favorite Duo’s, DUSK will be at Traditions On The Beach on December 30.   Seen all over local venues, Kathy & Dean Winkelmann will be performing the best variety of classic jazz, modern pop & rock music that has you moving to the music.

If you are looking for something a little more casual, you could consider Doc Ford's Sanibel where live music can be heard just about every night.  Just off Island Inn Road across from Bailey's Shopping Center,  aside from delicious Caribbean style food, Doc Ford's has a literary history as the Doc Ford namesake is THE Doc Ford.  If you’re hoping to run into Randy Wayne White, the author of the Doc Ford series of novels,  then this is the place to do it as he can be found writing here on many nights. With 2 dining rooms and an outdoor patio, where you decide to enjoy the ambiance is up to you!

Want something more beachy?  Discover the award-winning Keylime Bistro situated in the middle of the Historic Captiva Island Inn Village. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; they have a wide array of dishes sure to please the most discerning palates.

Stop by for breakfast and try their Bistro Style Corned Beef Hash and Eggs or Crab Cake Benedict. Prefer to sleep-in and join us for lunch? Enjoy their superb seafood antipasto appetizer or delicious grouper sandwich. Late afternoon or dinner fit your needs better? Check out the shrimp scampi, key lime pasta or tender steak filets. And don't forget an award-winning key lime pie for dessert.

Relax inside or dine outside and enjoy the fresh air and Florida sunshine. Key Lime Bistro has  live music daily and a full-service bar. And when you are finished; feel free to stroll the quaint shops and check out the local general store and the historic Captiva Island Inn.

But we don't want to reveal all our "special treasures" now and hope you will let us know if you find any great places you would like to share.

Spotlight on SCCF

Among the jewels in Sanibel's crown is the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Known and loved as SCCF, this organization was founded in 1967 and is the largest private landowner on Sanibel Island.  SCCF manages 1200 acres on tiny Sanibel with an additional 600 acres on even smaller Captiva.

We just recently discovered a tract of land that the Foundation owns adjacent to the Bailey Tract.  The area is aptly titled Sanibel Gardens Trail, and it is a delightful short walk with many bird watching opportunities.  The several ponds and lagoons are filled with wading birds and the trees are abundant with woodland and song birds.  So many sights and songs~

But if birding is not your thing, you can pick up island history, geography and biology right on the land owned and managed by SCCF.  In an effort to educate the public on their newest preserve, SCCF offers a one hour walking tour of their 28-acre property along Periwinkle Way.

Nine acres of the beautiful land served as the Bailey family's farm for many years; three generations of the Bailey family lived in the historic house that sits on the property today.

Landscaping for Wildlife Educator at SCCF, Dee Serage-Century heads the tour which begins at 8:30 a.m. at the west end of Shipley Trail. Serage-Century, who has lived on Sanibel for the past 35 years, tells the guests SCCF's history shortly after they arrive and about invasive plant species on the island. She said some of the worst have been the Brazilian pepper, air potatoes and the java plum.

"We release beetles to help with invasive species," Serage-Century said.

Along the trail, she points out a lone papaya tree which originally originated in South America and Mexico. Serage-Century said that papaya trees were around when the Calusa Indians lived on the island.


During the special tour, she briefly talked about the old windmill that was a part of the Bailey's farm. She said that SCCF volunteers uncovered it after they purchased the property in 2011. She also talks about the pavilion that was recently built for special events and the Devitt Pond Overlook.


Near the end of tour, she led guests to the newly planted demonstration gardens which seemed to be everyone's favorite of the tour. Their nursery is one of the first native plant nurseries in the state of Florida. Their native flower garden has taken off since it was planted last year.

"The flowers were planted as seedlings last summer. It was an experiment to see if we could keep doing it," she said.

One of the main reasons SCCF does the tour is so they can demonstrate to the public what they do as an organization.


"We do it so people understand what we do for a living which is habitat management and restoration, Serage-Century said. At the end of the tour, I hope they end up with a passion for protecting land for wildlife as well as themselves because it works both ways. I hope I spark an interest in native plants that are built for wildlife and pollinators, not just visually for us."

Dee shows guests the map of Shipley Trail. ASHLEY GOODMAN Native flowers in the demonstration garden. ASHLEY GOODMAN Devitt Pond Overlook. ASHLEY GOODMAN The Bailey house. ASHLEY GOODMAN

Sanibel Library Offers Dazzling Line Up of Authors

When most people think of Sanibel, they envision its natural charms.

The miles of beach to walk, hundreds of shells to collect and dozens of birds to see all attract visitors from around the globe.

But , for a tiny barrier island, 12 miles in length with more topicality than human population, Sanibel is also a hub for cultural activities.

There are concerts, lectures and art showings on a regular basis.

And, most delightfully, the Sanibel Library is rated as one of the best in the entire state.

The Sanibel Public Library has been named a ‘5 Star’ library by the Library Journal. This is their highest ‘star’ rating. The Library Journal Index is a national rating system designed to recognize  and promote America’s public libraries, to help improve the pool of  nationally collected library statistics, and to encourage library  self-evaluation.

But the high rating does not limit itself to the extensive collection or even number of amenities offered to those who use it.

It is also based on the offerings of the library to encourage people to read and know more.

The author series at the library has been free standing in excellence featuring writers who have crafted great books.

The 2016-2017 season coming up is a stellar example of how the library strives to show case the best.

Kicking off the winter on December 13 is B.A. Shapiro. 

B.A. Shapiro is the New York Times bestselling author of The Muralist, The Art Forger, The Safe Room, Blind Spot, See No Evil, Blameless, and Shattered Echoes. She has also written four screenplays and the non-fiction book, The Big Squeeze. The Art Forger has been on many bestseller lists and has won many awards including The 2013 New England Book Award for Fiction. She lives in Boston and is working on her eighth novel.

In her 2015 novel, The Muralist, B.A. Shapiro illuminates the art world of the 1940s by weaving together historical figures like Eleanor Roosevelt, Lee Krasner, and Mark Rothko, with fictional characters, in a story about the life and mysterious disappearance of a brilliant young artist on the eve of World War II.

In addition to her print books in the Sanibel Public Library collection, B.A. Shapiro’s eBooks and audiobooks are available for download via Hoopla and OverDrive apps.

There are equally great follow ups, but we won't spill the beans just yet.  If your curiosity is beyond containment, however, you can click here and get the full details: http://www.sanlib.org/whats-new.html  The library is a special place, and one that should not be missed no matter what time of year  or length of your stay.