Leave only footprints
To the editor:
I thought the TikTok-driven 4-foot to 5-foot deep holes on Sanibel’s beaches had stopped, but some beach-goers continue to dig holes 3 feet to 4 feet deep without filling them in when they leave for the day. Shame on them. A variety of sand “sculptures” are also created, but not knocked down before people leave. If a sand pyramid is built, a corresponding hole in the sand is also made; it’s double work to knock down the pyramid and fill in the hole. When the city of Sanibel asks that we “Leave only footprints” on beaches, that means fill in all holes you dig, knock down all sand sculptures you make, and take all litter with you. It’s very simple.
These steps are good November through April but even more critical during sea turtle season. Visitors enjoy Sanibel’s beaches, yet it seems we have to beg some of them to follow these common sense rules. Unfortunately, I meet visitors early each day who say they had no idea red filtered lights were required during sea turtle season, so some Gulf-side condo associations and resorts may not be educating their guests well enough. The Waterside Inn does a great job.
Sanibel now has a new Coastal Watch pilot program with 3-gallon buckets available for beach-goers’ use on three public beaches. As an example, the stand at the entrance to Tarpon Beach has up to eight available buckets. Beach-goers can use a bucket to gather trash, then dump the contents into the appropriate trash/recycling container when leaving. It’s great the buckets are being used. But, sometimes contents and sand are just left in the buckets, instead of being thrown away properly. Taking that final step makes a big difference.
Sea turtles only have one gear: forward. If they fall into a hole in the sand, they can be injured or die. Any structure built on the sand also makes it tough on the turtles. Holes and uneven surfaces in the sand are dangerous for humans, too. Sea turtle season continues until Oct. 31 and hatching season has officially begun. Please be considerate of the mother sea turtles who continue to make their nests on our beaches and all their thousands of hatchlings to come. Being kind to fellow beach-goers is also a good idea.
To those who always leave the beach a better place than they found it, and my fellow beach cleanup volunteers, thank you. To everyone at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, especially those in the sea turtle program, an even bigger thank you. If the public only knew how much you do with so little and so few! To employees with the city’s Natural Resources and Public Works departments, who work so hard in this summer heat when understaffed, you are my heroes. Our sanctuary island can’t function without you.
Alison Ward
Sanibel