Preserving Paradise

Shell museum launching new citizen project

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum reported that aquatic mollusks and their shells are known in Lee County, but people often forget about the area’s other mollusks: land and tree snails, and slugs.

These animals and their shells may be overlooked, but snails and slugs are critical decomposers, breaking down organic material and putting those nutrients back into the soil. They are also prey for other animals, and some are carnivores themselves, helping to keep the local food web in balance.

The museum is launching a new citizen science project called Snail Search of Lee County that aims to gather more information about the biodiversity of land and tree snails. Previous studies in the area are sparse and outdated, and do not include photographs — an area where citizen scientists can play a role.

The museum reported that with the information gathered, staff are hoping to learn more about the populations of common and rarely spotted local species, and introduced and invasive species.

The public can participate by: ∫ Downloading the iNaturalist app and creating a free account. ∫ Going out and finding snails and slugs. ∫ Taking clear photos of observations. Photos should be as close as possible and clearly focused. ∫ Uploading photos to the app (the observation will automatically be added to the project page) or emailing photos with location information and date to jfalker@shellmuseum.org. Information — GPS coordinates or exact address, date and time — are required for each photo sent via email.

For more information, visit https://www.shell museum.org/snail-search.

DDWS reports on refuge programming and more

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's waters, lands and facilities are closed to the public until further notice due to hurricane damage. Consequently, many programs and events are canceled.

In addition, the DDWS provided the following updates: ∫ Refuge Cleanup with a Ranger will take place every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Meet at the Visitor & Education Center parking lot for a safety brief before traveling to the cleanup site of the week. The refuge will provide gloves, bags and grabbers. Participation is limited; preregistration required at DingDarling.Eventbrite.com. ∫ The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament remains on the calendar for May 19. Registration will open on Jan. 17. The DDWS thanked the 2023 sponsors. To become an event sponsor, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety.org. ∫ The 10th annual “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest continues. The deadline for entries is March 1. For information, contact DDWS Associate Executive Director Sierra Hoisington at shois@dingdarlingsociety.org. ∫ The DDWS' major annual fundraiser, “Go Bully for “Ding” — An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt, ” will take place on March 6 at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers. ∫ “Ding” Wellness Week will align with National Mental Health Awareness Week on May 10-16.

REFUGE/DDWS

Join J.N.

“Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge ranger for posthurricane clean up.

Coastal Watch signing up cleanup volunteers

Coastal Watch is looking for volunteers to join the Conservation Cleanup Crew. The group will focus on removing nonnatural debris — trash — from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's conservation land on Thursday and Friday mornings. All supplies will be provided on the day of the event. To sign up, visit https://www.signupgenius .com/go/10c0d4dabae2ea7fac43conservation#/. For more information, contact Director Kealy McNeal at kmcneal@sccf.org. Part of the SCCF family, Coastal Watch creates and implements conservation initiatives that promote and improve the future of marine resources and coastal heritage. For more about Coastal Watch, visit sancapcoastalwatch .org.

Paul and Liam Triteck with Neil, Alex, William and Christopher Erickson. Boy Scouts help with storm cleanup

Island Boy Scouts recently helped in the post-hurricane clean up of Frannie's Preserve on Sanibel.

PHOTO PROVIDED

City’s Arbor Day contests open to grades K-8

In conjunction with its Natural Resources Department and Vegetation Committee, the city of Sanibel's Department of Recreation is hosting a youth coloring, essay or poem contest to celebrate Arbor Day.

For grades 4-8, the contests include an essay or a poem. The topic is “Why is Arbor Day so important?” If the child is submitting a poem, it will need to be a minimum of three lines. To access the Essay or Poem Contest Form, visit https://files.constantcontact.com/97af 97e6001/f63d13ae5f4a-499a-b521-3335418be 3f2.pdf.

For grades K-3, the contest is to submit a drawing inspired by Arbor Day. To access the Coloring Contest Form, visit https://files.constantcontact.com/97af97 e6001/9d2563de-9432-4554-a28e820f96a09 f73.pdf.

The winners will receive a prize and be featured in a city press release.

The deadline for entries is Jan. 13 at 5 p.m.

Entries can be emailed to gabrielle.cooper-angeles@mysanibel.com or dropped off in person at the Sanibel Recreation Department, at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.