The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) was founded in 1967. They were created to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. The SCCF is the largest private landowner on Sanibel Island with more than 1200 acres on Sanibel. They focus on policy and advocacy, water quality research, habitat and wildlife management, sea turtles and shorebirds, and environmental education. They have expanded and diversified their programming over the past 53 years. Part of their impressive expansion is a marine laboratory and, the Sanibel Sea School.

The SCCF has over 8 miles of nature trails at several preserves throughout the island. They have a public garden center at the Bailey Homestead Preserve. The center is open to the public. You can buy native plants, local honey, and see demonstrations of native landscaping.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
3333 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957
239-472-2329
Visit SCCF Website

Currently, the SCCF Nature Center is closed however, the nature trails are still open to be explored! There is Bailey Homestead, Sanibel Gardens, Periwinkle Preserve, Pick Preserve, and Bob Wigley Preserve.

Sanibel Sea School
455 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
239-472-8585
Visit Sanibel Sea Schools Website

Sanibel Sea School offers daily classes and weekly camps for kids and adults. Their mission is to teach everyone about the marine ecosystem, its importance and how to care for the ocean. This is a great education and also, fun for the whole family.

The SCCF Marine Laboratory

900 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957

Visit The Marine Lab Website

The SCCF Marine Laboratory is located at Tarpon Bay within the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

The laboratory is one of the few designated marine wilderness areas in the United States that gives researchers year-round access to freshwater wetlands and provides an outdoor lab space for researchers, students, and the general public. The area is 2,800 sq.feet and is supported through private donations and local state and federal granting agencies.

Volunteer with the Sea Turtle Program

Visit the Sea Turtle Website

Sea Turtle volunteers are required to survey the beaches once a week from April 15 – October, The surveys start at 6:30am and each volunteer will cover approximately a mile of beach. The volunteers are looking for tracks from the night before to locate nests. Sea Turtles on Sanibel & Captiva Island are some of the oldest creatures on the planet. They have been around for approximately 110 million years! Sadly, they are an endangered species and are protected both federally and state to state. There are 7 species of sea turtle, Sanibel and Captiva Island is home to 5 of them: Green, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Hawksbill. With the most common type being Loggerheads.

Ocean Tribe Paddlers

Visit the Ocean Tribe Website

Ocean Tribe Paddlers is a membership based group of paddling enthusiasts who want to explore and appreciate the ocean together. The members seek to learn about the marine ecosystems, the various ways to protect it and visit all the different places to paddle! Any paddle vessel is accepted such as paddle boards and kayaks. If you do not have your own vessel, you can access one through the Sanibel Sea School. They have several different membership options.

Coastal Watch

Visit the Coastal Watch Website

Founded in 2017 Coastal Watch was created by members of the Sanibel and Captiva community who appreciate the ocean, local history and are committed to preserving the oceans and estuaries. They strive to make people aware of the impact humans can have on the beaches and try to promote conservation, appreciation for the environment and education. They have several ongoing initiatives which include “Strawless on Sanibel”, “Bring Your Own Bag” and “Back to Our Roots”. They are part of the SCCF family.