Secrets of Sanibel

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation

Sanibel, Florida

A visit to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is a wonderful way to spend time in the island wilderness, particularly if you have young children with you. Located on the Sanibel-Captiva Road, the SCCF has developed a series of wide nature trails that are very enjoyable, even if you don’t have much of a green thumb. Trails are accented with boardwalks that make it easy for young and old to make their way throughout the preserve, and informational plaques and signs describe trees and animals that live on the land.

Since 1967 the SCCF has acquired more that 1800 acres of critical wildlife habitats, wetlands and subtropical plant communities that were in danger of becoming development areas for housing. With 300 volunteers and over 3,000 members, the SCCF has been able to provide a number of nature programs that promote saving wildlife and propagating the knowledge and use of indigenous plant life throughout the islands.

An education center at the front of the park has exhibits that include the plight of the Florida manatees, the migration and population fluctuations of seaturtles, as well as the changing bird habitats on the islands. Children delight in the living mollusk pool that they are free to dip clean hands into to touch Calico crabs, fighting conchs and whelks.

A large map on the wall shows which areas of the barrier islands are privately owned, those that are a part of the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve, and those that are protected by the SCCF. Close inspection will show just how much of Captiva Island has fallen under private ownership. Lee County, and both the SCCF and Ding Darling have acquired northern and southern portions of Buck Key, however its middle has also fallen into private hands.

Also located in the education center is a fantastic store with our favorite collection of Sanibel and ocean life reading for children and adults. Coloring books, educational beach activity books, picture books, and novels are available. We have found the largest Sanibel- specific collection of books here. Many are not available at the big-box bookstores, so we really recommend you browse their beautiful collection and consider adding these books to your home library. You will also be supporting the future growth of the SCCF.

While you are visiting the nature store, pick up a map of the nature trails located on the counter by the register. This map shows the layout of all the trails as well as landmarks along them. A native plant nursery, a butterfly house (you really have to stop in here!), a teaching shelter where you can sit down to rest and read about the surrounding birds and plant life, and an observation tower are highlights of the trails. The observation tower is particularly interesting, as it allows a view of the rooftops on West Gulf Drive, the canopy of mangroves which helped to create these gorgeous barrier islands, and a very close osprey nest. The view over the treetops is breathtaking and offers a new perspective on the dense beauty of Sanibel’s wetlands.

If the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is on your list of sights to see (and we think it should be), please remember to stay on designated trails – poison ivy thrives throughout the entire area and you don’t want to take home an itchy rash as a souvenir! If you see any alligators on you hike, please do not approach or feed them. Bring good walking shoes and pick a pair that you wouldn’t mind getting a little bit wet, especially in the rainy season. Unlike Sanibel’s beaches, pets are not allowed in the SCCF.

We find that when we visit the SCCF we often do so as a family. For us this means we have four generations along for the hike! We bring our children (ages 4 and 5), their grandparents, and their great-grandparents! The SCCF provides a nice excursion that is suitable for all of our family members and their limitations. For us, this means that the great-grandparents have the ability and stamina to walk the trails, and our children have the attention span. While vacationers to Sanibel fall in love with her beaches and often want to spend every moment soaking up beachfront fun, a wildlife visit is a welcome diversion that refreshes you on days when you want to let your sunburn rest, or if it’s a little cloudy.

All members of your traveling party, from the nature enthusiast to the novice hiker, will enjoy a visit to the SCCF.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is located at 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road (239-472-2329) and is open 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Mon-Fri. Members and children under 17 have free admission, and adults pay just $3.