SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation celebrated its hundreds of volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Party on April 10 at the Bailey Homestead Preserve on Sanibel.

“Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization,” Chief Executive Officer James Evans said. “Since 1967 when a group of volunteers founded SCCF, those who generously donate their time and talents have served as the basis for our mission-driven work as well as our amazing community support.”

Last year, more than 860 volunteers donated over 10,000 hours across program areas.

Set against the backdrop of April’s Earth Month, the theme was “You Mean the World to Us.”

“By acting locally, you are having a global impact on many species that depend on our conservation efforts, like our sea turtles, shorebirds, raptors like our bald eagles and ospreys, as well as other species that are not as well studied like our mud turtles and diamondback terrapins,” he said.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

One of the highlights was a global trivia contest, hosted by Coastal Watch Director Kealy McNeal. From questions about mangrove ecosystems in Asia to locally threatened bird species, volunteers showcased their conservation knowledge.

Coastal Watch volunteers were honored for their efforts in helping the community recover following Hurricane Ian. In 2023, over 650 individual volunteers logged more than 3,000 volunteer hours across 45 cleanup events, removing several thousand pounds of debris. They also planted 3,500 mangroves at several SCCF restoration sites.

In a major milestone, Dean Skaugstad was celebrated as SCCF’s longest-running volunteer, with his 30-year tenure as a Hammerhead and all-around volunteer earning him a standing ovation.

“While we know that you choose to volunteer selflessly and without expectation of being recognized or rewarded, today we wish to do just that,” Evans said.

Additionally, the SCCF recognized the following volunteers for achieving five-year milestones in 2024: Susan Beittel, Ruth Brooks, Tory Burch, Claudia Burns, Dean Caple, Mayri Caple, Fay Carney, Diane Clarke, Heidi Denis, Sally Divenere, Molly Downing, Allen Dunham, Michael Galloway, Barb Halko, Gwenda Hiett-Clements, Jewel Jensen, Wendy Kindig, Robin Kirk, Julianne Kirkpatrick, Marilyn Klaren, Philip Klaren, Robin Krivanek, Carol McCallum, Lynn Meline, Pam Miller, Tom Miller, John Morse, Audrey Mulka, Becky Mulka, Lisa Newmeyer-Cochrane, Irene Nolan, France Paulsen, Lorri Philbin, Stefanie Plein (Wolf), Philip Puschel, Roberta Puschel, Joleen Raho, Mike Rice, Nancy Riley, Joan Rogers, Doug Ryckman, Kay Sadighi, Kerry Salatino, Laura Shaffer, Dean Skaugstad, Linda Tedeschi, Karen Turner, Linda Uhler, Tom Uhler, Marsha Walsh, Rachel Walsh, Karl Werner, Phil Weyman and Tina Weyman.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

They contributed their time and talents across an array of departments and program areas, including: shorebird and sea turtle monitoring; Coastal Watch; board of trustees and board advisory committees; Marine Laboratory; Native Landscapes & Garden Center; education and outreach, including Weeds ‘n’ Seeds; Hammerheads (facility and equipment construction and repairs); administrative work; and wildlife monitoring.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION