Turtle Nesting Season is Here! It's that time of year again - time for us to help the sea turtle population. Sea turtle nests are extremely vulnerable to natural predators and it's our goal to help as many of those adorable little hatchlings survive as possible. Therefore, there are some rules on the island the City is asking you to familiarize yourself with and obey. With your help sea turtles can have another record year of nests and hatchlings. So - After 9 it's Turtle Time! Here are some things to remember:
- Artificial lighting on the beaches deters female turtles from nesting and disorients hatchlings. The local ordinance prohibits interior and exterior lighting from illuminating the beach. This means keep your lanai lights off and your blinds drawn in the evening when you have your interior lights on.
- If you come across an unmarked sea turtle nest call the SCCF.
- If you come across a marked sea turtle nest, stay clear.
- Always keep your pets leashed and away from nests.
Speaking of sea turtles - the first nest was found on Captiva on April 21st! That's just one day later than the record of April 20th. Sea turtle nesting season might officially start May 1st but I don't think those little guys are keeping tabs on the calendar.
Renovations are on the way for the Sanibel Community House. After a strong fundraising effort which resulted in $3 million, the Sanibel Community Association is ready to get to work. They expect their renovations to be completed this fall and are planning a big grand reopening for November 2016.
There's more renovation news - RLR Investments has received approval from the Sanibel Planning Commission to renovate the Cooper House. The renovation include new windows, siding, handrails and chimney as well as repairs to the roof and foundation. Now part of the Olde Sanibel Shopping Center, the Cooper House was originally built in 1891 and placed on the local register of historic landmarks in 1991.
