Find Finned and Feathered Fun at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

You and your family want an active, fun vacation. A visit to the islands of Sanibel and Captiva in Florida will provide just that, and a trip to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) ensures you’ll get to know all about this amazing island paradise.

SCCF Four miles of trails and boardwalks at the Nature Center will take your family through a cross-section of rare interior, wetland and upland habitats.

When you visit SCCF you can…

HIKE

Four miles of trails and boardwalks at the Nature Center will take you through a cross-section of rare interior, wetland and upland habitats. Don’t miss the Alligator pond at the north end! At the Periwinkle/Blue Skies Preserves you’ll find a .6-mile trail and a shorter stroll at the Bob Wigley Preserve.

CLIMB

The Observation Tour on SCCF grounds and gaze over the Sanibel River. You’ll get a 360-degree view of the entire island.

SEE

Live video from a barn owl nesting box at SCCF’s Nature Center.

TOUCH

Poke around in the Touch Tank at the Nature Center. During the Tuesday Tank Talks, you can get up close and personal with (and learn all about) Happy, the Florida snapping turtle, Salty, the mangrove water snake, Jewel, the Diamond Back Terrapin and other fun critters.

LEARN

About the three owl species that nest in these islands: Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls, and Screech Owls.

About plants that have been used for centuries by humans as medicine at the Nature Center’s ethnobotany garden.

About the transformation from egg to caterpillar to pupa to adult in the life cycle of a butterfly at the Lolly Cohen Memorial Butterfly House. Learn also about how home owners can landscape to attract butterflies and other wildlife species.

And that’s just for starters. SCCF also offers beach walks, boat tours, wading trips and kayak tours. Visit their website for more information.

SERIOUS CONSERVATION HAPPENING HERE

While SCCF has family friendly fun for visitors, it’s also good to know that the work SCCF does is seriously important to the preservation of island habitat and wildlife.

SCCF is dedicated to the conservation of coastal habitats and aquatic resources on Sanibel and Captiva and in the surrounding watershed through environmental education, land acquisition, landscaping for wildlife, marine research, natural resource policy, sea turtle conservation and wildlife habitat management.

Take the snowy plover, for example, a beach-nesting species of bird. SCCF coordinates the nest monitoring of this state-listed, threatened species, staking enclosures around the nests to keep dogs and other predators out, and educating the public to keep their distance. A snowy plover who is flushed from the nest leaves eggs vulnerable to the harsh sun, so the birds need their space.

HOME BASE

When you visit the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and take advantage of all they have to offer, you’ll need a home base. Consider Sea Oats Luxury Estate. It’s the largest and most luxurious rental home on Captiva Island and only a short drive from the SCCF Nature Center. The staff at Sea Oats Estate knows these islands well and can assist you in planning your trip.

Contact us to discuss arrangements and availability.