Author: LeAenSUAREZGroup

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge recently expanded its seasonal tour offerings, and Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge’s recreation concession, has exciting news to share. They’re reintroducing their Sunset Rookery Paddle experience on four Wednesdays: March 13, 20, and 27, and April 3.

Tarpon Bay Explorers provides a range of activities including guided tours, kayak and paddlecraft rentals, and operates from Mondays to Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rental services cease at 3 p.m. daily. Additionally, they have a nature-themed gift shop for visitors to explore. Reservations are encouraged for tours.

For more details or to make reservations, interested individuals can visit www.tarponbayexplorers.com or call 239-472-8900. Tarpon Bay Explorers is conveniently located at 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.

Sanibel Island’s east end has a new resident – The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine! Officially opened on February 9th, this delightful shop is just the first course in a delicious future. The Magic Bus is part of a planned foodie complex that includes Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant, expected to arrive in early March.

This delightful venture is a collaboration between four seasoned island restaurateurs. Bridget and Max Kolshak, formerly of The Mad Hatter (tragically lost to Hurricane Ian in September 2022), have joined forces with Brian and Elke Podlasek, whose beloved Island Cow succumbed to fire in August 2022.

“Partnering with The Island Cow has been fantastic,” said Bridget Kolshak. “Our loyal customers have been incredibly supportive, cheering us on and expressing their excitement.”

While both couples plan to rebuild their original restaurants, The Magic Bus and Wickies offered a perfect opportunity to stay engaged with the community.

Step inside The Magic Bus and be greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee alongside a tempting display of sweet treats. Ice cream, smoothies, pastries, and candy are all on the menu, with signature offerings like the Magic Milkshake, the Too Groovy Sundae, and the Beach Bucket (a real sand pail overflowing with ice cream, sunglasses, a shovel, and your choice of toppings!).

“The Magic Bus brings a smile to your face with its delicious treats and fun theme,” said John Lai, President and CEO of the SanCap Chamber. “We applaud the Kolshaks and Podlaseks, and eagerly await the opening of Wickies and the return of their legendary restaurants.”

The Magic Bus awaits your visit at 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Get ready for a taste of magic!

On February 26, the city of Sanibel announced the submission of three grant applications to the Lee County Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. These applications seek funding for the engagement of consultants or similar professional services to provide technical assistance in various critical areas:

1. Sanibel Plan Update: $250,000
   This initiative aims to fulfill one of the strategic goals and objectives set by the Sanibel City Council in August 2022. It involves the development of a comprehensive plan to review all elements of the Sanibel Plan, the city’s comprehensive plan. The goal is to present an updated plan to the council, considering that the Sanibel Plan was last revised in 2013.
2. Sanibel Transportation Master Plan: $200,000
   This comprehensive master plan will address various aspects of transportation infrastructure. It will include the evaluation of roads to assess climate-related risks, explore parking and transportation alternatives, and implement traffic management strategies to enhance the level of service along roadways and mitigate congestion.
3. Sanibel Broadband Feasibility Study: $252,000
   This study aims to assess the feasibility of installing infrastructure for a fiberoptic-based high-speed symmetrical internet network within the city limits. It will explore both underground and aerial installation options to provide reliable internet connectivity to households, businesses, and other users.

For those interested in learning more about these grant applications or providing feedback, Deputy Planning Director Craig Chandler can be contacted at 239-472-4136 or via email at craig.chandler@mysanibel.com

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel has announced the reopening of its Living Gallery of Aquariums to the public as of today, March 1st.

The aquariums now feature a diverse mix of mollusks, corals, fish, and other marine life species, reminiscent of their pre-hurricane displays. Visitors can marvel at species such as the two-spot octopus, flamingo tongue, disco clam, giant clam, queen conch, with plans to introduce the giant Pacific octopus in the near future.

In addition to the aquariums, surrounding exhibits have been expanded to provide deeper insights into the biology and behavior of mollusks, the dynamics of their ecosystems, and the challenges and successes of their conservation efforts.

Executive Director Sam Ankerson stated, “The goals of this undertaking were to grow the educational impact of the museum, to add value and enjoyment to the visitor experience, and to create compelling, current displays.”

With the aquariums now open, the museum is offering onsite opportunities for visitors, including daily Keeper Chats, Touch Pool Talks, and a new mobile activity cart featuring “Shell and Tell” shell identification, all included in the cost of admission. Additionally, the museum continues to provide educational lectures, fieldwork, classes, research, and K-12 programs.

The museum store is also open, with proceeds supporting ongoing rebuilding efforts and recovery.

While work continues on renewing and rebuilding the permanent exhibits in the Great Hall of Shells on the second floor throughout the spring, the museum is offering reduced admission fees until the full restoration is completed.

Admission prices are now $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-17, and free for museum members and active military personnel.

Visitors are invited to explore the museum Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.ShellMuseum.org/.

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

Marching forward in honor of the brave, the resilient, and the trailblazing women who’ve made history and continue to shape our world. Here’s to celebrating their stories this Women’s History Month!

Here is the book dedicated to “Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva” Hardcover – November 28, 2016

In the history of Sanibel and Captiva, countless women bucked the system to make their marks. In the early 1950s and 60s, Sarita Van Vlick and Zee Butler led the fight to preserve the island from unbridled growth and destruction. Helene Gralnick, in the early 80s, opened a small shop that became the foundation for Chico s Inc. And it was city manager Judy Zimomra who put into practice policies that helped Sanibel flourish after the devastation of Hurricane Charley. Author and local historian Jeri Magg compiles the stories and celebrates the achievements of the remarkable women who forever shaped Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Click here for the amazon.com URL of the book

After months of operating out of a camper in their driveway, Randy and Michelle Blackburn are thrilled to announce the official reopening of their Landgraphics Sanibel Captiva office! This momentous occasion, marked by a SanCap Chamber ribbon-cutting, celebrates the resilience of both the business and the beloved islands it serves.

For 27 years, Landgraphics has been synonymous with elegant landscape design, meticulous lawn maintenance, and expert tree services on Sanibel and Captiva. But they didn’t just weather Hurricane Ian – they rose to the challenge, becoming one of the first companies to offer post-storm cleanup. Within a week, they secured a barge and transported equipment, immediately starting habitat restoration efforts.

Their dedication went beyond emergency cleanup and debris removal. Landgraphics tackled tree removal, assessed and planned new landscaping projects, implemented water management and erosion control measures, and restored viable green spaces. Collaborating with local agencies, they prioritized areas of high need, ensuring the islands’ beauty bounced back stronger.

The reopened office on 2418 Palm Ridge Road signifies a new chapter for Landgraphics. It’s a testament to their commitment to the community, their passion for transforming landscapes, and their unwavering belief in Sanibel and Captiva’s enduring spirit.

The annual Sanibel Shell Show is back, and this year, you have the chance to meet and learn from two of the world’s leading conchologists and malacologists: Dr. José H. Leal, curator and Science Director of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, and renowned shell expert Kevan Sutherland.

Mark your calendars for March 8th and 9th from 9 am to 4 pm at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. Not only will these experts be judging the Scientific Division at the show, but they’ll also be available to help you identify your own shells!

Got a curious conch or a puzzling periwinkle? Bring them along! Dr. Leal and Mr. Sutherland will be equipped with a specialized microscope, so even the tiniest treasures won’t go unnoticed. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to chat with these renowned experts and deepen your understanding of the fascinating world of shells.

Best part? Entry to the show is just a requested $5 cash donation, and parking is free. Plus, your contribution helps support the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club’s mission of funding research and education grants for local organizations like the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Commission.

Ready to dive into the world of shells? Head to the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa (17260 Harbour Pointe Drive, Fort Myers) on March 8th and 9th. For more information and to get your shelling adventure started, visit the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club website: http://sanibelshellclub.com.

Spread the word! Share this post with your fellow shell enthusiasts and make the 2024 Sanibel Shell Show an unforgettable experience.

P.S. Don’t forget to bring your sense of curiosity and a bag to hold all the treasures you might discover!

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The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) sea turtle team has been busy analyzing the data from last summer’s nesting season, and the stories they’ve uncovered are inspiring! From May to July, dedicated volunteers patrolled the beaches under the starry skies, tagging nesting turtles and gathering valuable information. This year, the theme for naming newly tagged turtles was “female musicians,” adding a touch of fun to this crucial research.

“These tags allow us to track individual turtles, revealing their nesting habits and movements,” explains SCCF Sea Turtle Biologist Savannah Weber. “This data helps us understand their reproductive behavior and identify trends, ultimately aiding in conservation efforts.”

Beyond tagging, the team assesses hatch success for each nest, estimating the number of tiny hatchlings entering the ocean. Here are some of the most fascinating “sea turtle stars” of 2023:

Most Encounters:

• Pat Benatar: This loggerhead, encountered for the first time in 2023, nested twice and false crawled (came ashore without laying eggs) six times. While one nest succumbed to coyotes, the other boasted a remarkable 84.8% hatch success, releasing 56 hatchlings!
• Cyphoma: First tagged on Sanibel in 2016, this shell-inspired name reappeared in 2020 and 2023. Despite challenges from coyotes and Hurricane Idalia, her six nests produced 50 hatchlings in total.

Highest Number of Hatchlings:

• Fergie: Another loggerhead newcomer, Fergie laid four nests with perfect hatching success, contributing a whopping 212 hatchlings to the ocean!
• Candystick Tellin’: This returning loggerhead, tagged in 2016 and seen again in 2018 and 2021, laid four nests this past summer, adding 191 hatchlings to the population.

Smallest and Largest:

• Raspberry: This impressive loggerhead, measuring nearly 4 feet in shell length, nested twice with impressive hatch success (74.2% and 93.6%), resulting in 184 hatchlings!
• Little Mix: The smallest loggerhead encountered, this first-timer’s single nest boasted a 93.1% hatch success rate, welcoming 54 hatchlings to the world.

“Tagging these turtles allows us to track their individual journeys over the years,” says Weber. “We learn where they nest, how often, and how successful their nests are, providing invaluable insights for sea turtle conservation.”

By understanding these incredible creatures, we can better protect them and ensure their populations thrive for generations to come. So, let’s give a big applause to these “sea turtle stars” and the dedicated SCCF team working tirelessly for their future!

Click here for more info

Two condo complexes on Sanibel Island have reopened after being damaged by Hurricane Ian. Loggerhead Cay and Sandpiper Beach have both undergone extensive repairs and are now welcoming guests once again.

Loggerhead Cay offers 75 rental units, while Sandpiper Beach has 22. Both complexes have a variety of amenities, including a pool, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and shuffleboard.

The reopening of these condos is a welcome sign for Sanibel Island, which was hit hard by Hurricane Ian. The island is still recovering from the storm, but businesses are slowly starting to reopen and tourists are returning. Click here for the entire article