Artcalusa Exhibit Opens on Captiva Sea Turtle Record Shattered On
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Read Us Online at IslandSunNews.com NEWSPAPER VOL. 22, NO. 17 SANIBELSanibel & CAPTIVA & Captiva ISLANDS, Islands FLORIDA OCTOBER 17, 2014 OCTOBER SUNRISE/SUNSET: 17 7:28 • 6:59 18 7:29 • 6:58 19 7:30 • 6:57 20 7:30 • 6:57 21 7:31 • 6:56 22 7:31 • 6:55 23 7:32 • 6:54 ArtCalusa Exhibit Opens On Captiva David Meo Calusa rtCalusa: Reflections On Representation is an award-winning group exhibi- tion featuring Florida’s leading historical artists which opens on Captiva on ASaturday, October 18 at the Captiva Community Center, 11550 Chapin Lane. Through painting, works on paper and etched glass, ArtCalusa visually interprets the life and experiences of Florida’s indigenous peoples, particularly the Calusa Indians through their contact with early European explorers. The exhibition also details the dra- matic changes in Florida’s environment since people first moved to Florida over 12,000 years ago. Exhibiting artists include Lucas Century, Merald Clark, Charles Dauray, continued on page 7 Sea turtle program coordinator Kelly Sloan begins to dig the final nest of the season as a group of volunteers and passers-by look on photo by Jeff Lysiak Sea Turtle Record Shattered On Sanibel by Jeff Lysiak he final sea turtle nesting statistics for this season are in, and Sanibel estab- lished a new record in 2014. T According to Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) sea turtle pro- gram coordinator Kelly Sloan, this year’s total of 411 nests – 110 on the east end and 301 on the west end – shattered the island’s previous high mark of 358 nests, estab- lished in 2000. In addition, the previous record for nests on the east end was 69 in 2012. “The highlight of the season was definitely the record number of nests laid,” said Sloan. “There were no major storms this year, so very few of our nests washed away. Although there were some issues with coyote depredation, it was a very productive sea- son overall.” Sloan also noted that Captiva had 124 nests this year. On October 6, Sloan, her intern Shea Gibbs and more than a dozen sea turtle pro- gram volunteers showed up to witness the final nesting dig of the 2014 season. Nest #87, which was staked in early July on Sanibel’s east end, was due to be dug after 70 days. Despite digging the nest for more than 45 minutes, only taking a short break to take a photograph on the beach, their efforts were not rewarded with any emerging hatchlings. continued on page 3 Community Invited To 40th Kids love the live animal presentations at the refuge’s free Family Fun Day Anniversary Of Incorporation ‘Ding’ Family Fun Day anibel residents are invited to attend a reception celebrating the 40th anniver- unday Family Fun Day kicks off the 25th annual “Ding” Darling Days at JN sary of the City of Sanibel’s incorporation, to be held at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on October 19. The refuge and “Ding” SNovember 4 at Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road. The reception is being SDarling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) have planned a free day hosted by the City of Sanibel Historical Preservation Committee. Sanibel was incor- continued on page 5 porated in 1974 by a vote of the citizens. Cupcakes and cider will be served. 2 ISLAND SUN - OCTOBER 17, 2014 ISLAND SUN - OCTOBER 17, 2014 3 The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s sea turtle program coordinator, staff and volunteers showed up to witness the final nest- ing dig of the 2014 season last Monday evening on Sanibel’s east end photos by Jeff Lysiak From page 1 Sea Turtle Record Shattered On Sanibel “The reality is that science isn’t always perfect and we have to be non-biased in our assessment of each crawl,” explained Sloan. “Our permit doesn’t allow us to verify each nest, and sometimes the field signs are misleading, so sometimes – rarely – the turtle fools us.” In addition to the more than 130 volunteers who patrol the islands’ beaches every day throughout sea turtle nesting season, Sloan wanted to offer her thanks to Gibbs and several of her SCCF fellow employees – including Kristie Anders, Dee Serage-Century and Joel Caouette – for their efforts. Five new permittees were trained and added to the permit this year: Joan Rogers, Nancy Riley, Diane Nietzel, Willow Bender and Linda Estep. “It’s also exciting that we’ve had four consecutive years of increasing nest counts,” added Sloan. “Sea turtles normally take a year off in between nesting seasons, so there is some natural fluctuation in nest numbers from year to year. It’s possible that new recruits to the nesting population may be coming to Sanibel, which is why we haven’t seen the natural ‘low’ years.” Email editorial copy to: [email protected] The final nest of the season was discovered and staked in early July 4 ISLAND SUN - OCTOBER 17, 2014 City Of Sanibel Vegetation Committee View Native Vegetation In Field Conditions he City of Sanibel Vegetation Committee is offering a guided Tnative vegetation and landscap- ing tour of city hall grounds, which have been planted solely with native plants. The tour is on Saturday, October 18 and begins promptly at 10 a.m. Walk the grounds for ideas on planting native vegetation that requires no fertilizer. See how you can plant a garden that reseeds itself with very little maintenance, is good for the environment and will attract birds and butterflies. Assistant Manager Abbey Allison, Museum Manager Emilie Alfino and Business Manager Vegetation committee members Mary Jo Bunnell will provide valuable information on proper planting and care of native Historical Village Staff vegetation. The City of Sanibel encourages planting of vegetation Prepares For Re-Opening that is indigenous to the area as it Dune sunflower (Helianthus-debilis) requires very little maintenance, no fertilizer, and no supplemental irrigation. he Sanibel Historical Village staff is back at work after the off-season break, Registration is not required. Attendees meet at the main entrance to Sanibel City working hard preparing for the village’s re-opening on Wednesday, November Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, in front of the main staircase. For more information, contact T5. the Natural Resources Department at 472-3700. “A lot of work continued at the village throughout the summer, with board presi- The City of Sanibel is a walkable and bikeable community and features one of the dent Dorothy Donaldson and others working with contractors on the renovation of most extensive shared use paths in the state of Florida. Attendees are encouraged to Shore Haven and the many details to be addressed before opening day,” said Emilie bicycle to these events. The Natural Resources Department section of the city’s Alfino, museum manager. “In addition, work has started on the Caretakers’ Cottage website, www.mysanibel.com, offers information and photos of native plants, a but completion likely will be delayed until January.” listing of licensed contractors, Sanibel’s vegetation standards and codes, and the Differences this season include a new entrance to the village from the Rutland Environmental Reference Handbook prepared by the city’s vegetation committee. House to Shore Haven. In addition, the Gift Shop has been moved from Bailey’s The vegetation committee also offers free native plant tours of the grounds at city General Store to the back porch of Rutland House. hall at 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday and fourth Saturday of the month from “We have a lot of events planned this year,” Alfino added. “As usual, there will be November to April. For more information, contact the Sanibel Natural Resources continued on page 12 Department at 472-3700. We ship anything, anywhere, anytime! Whether you need something sent down the street, or around the world, 2 ,'LOBAL,OGISTICSWILLUSEPLANES trains, ships, trucks, or even pack llama’s if that’s what it takes to get it THEREFORYOU/NTIME EVERYTIME/NE CALL ONECARRIER2 ,'LOBAL,OGISTICS Domestic Priority International Air/Ocean High-Value/High Risk Trade Show Solutions Warehousing For all your shipping needs, call Don DeLuca at sRLGLOBALCOM ISLAND SUN - OCTOBER 17, 2014 5 From page 1 event to be up to $75 per family of four,” downloads (one T-shirt per smart phone) said “Ding” Days Committee Co-chair, • Free life-size Endangered Species & ‘Ding’ Family Ranger Toni Westland. “But the value of Wildlife Puppets and puppet crafts gar- family- and nature-bonding? Priceless.” den presented by Heather Henson’s Ibex Fun Day Continuous free shuttle service will Puppetry run from the refuge’s tram parking lot on • Free 25th anniversary reusable bags packed with activities for all ages from Sanibel-Captiva Road and from TBE’s while supplies last 10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. parking lot (look for signs). • Free Silver Scavenger Hunt with Following the 10:45 a.m. flag-raising The entire day’s schedule follows. For 25 fun prizes (check in at the Welcome ceremony presented by Boy Scout Troop more information on other events during Table) 18, the refuge will debut its Discover Ding the upcoming “Ding” Darling Days week, • Free admission to Wildlife Drive game app in the Visitor & Education October 19 to 25, visit www.dingdarling- • Free naturalist-narrated 60-minute Center auditorium. The first 250 to days.com or call 472-1100, ext. 221. tram tours (check in at tram booth) download the app following the presenta- (EC= “Ding” Darling Education • Free archery demos and clinics (ages tion will receive an “I Got Appy” T-shirt. The Discover Ding game app makes a Center) 10 years and older), adjacent to overflow splash on Family Fun Day Starting at noon, IBEX Puppetry -- the (TBE= Tarpon Bay Explorers) parking lot creative brainchild of Muppet creator Jim Free Family Fun Day, JN “Ding” • Free face-painting in the EC Birding Ocean’s Reach Condominiums, Sanibel Henson’s daughter Heather -- will do an Darling NWR Room Captiva Community Bank, Jim and Patty entertaining and educational presentation Sunday, October 19 • Free hot dogs Sprankle, West Wind Inn starring the troupe’s life-sized endangered 10:45 a.m.