PreserVInG ParadIse FWC rule aims to reduce terrapin bycatch

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that drowning in crab traps is a major threat to diamondback terrapins As of March 1, all recreational crab traps in Florida are required to have specialized bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) installed to prevent the turtles from entering

The new rule issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is one the SCCF has been advocating for since 2007 through the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group, a national collaboration of academics, scientists and government officials who want to conserve the unique turtle species

“Some crab pots have been found with over 50 dead terrapins in them Not only do active traps drown terrapins, but 'ghost traps' abandoned or lost traps continue to catch and drown terrapins until they break apart years later,” Wildlife and Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz said “BRDs can prevent a significant number of terrapins from incidental drowning, mostly adult egg-producing females and adult males ”

He said that although the new FWC rule is a step forward, it will take a lot of education to ensure people are aware of the new regulation, as well as law enforcement intervention when necessary

“Diamondback terrapins are a truly unique species of turtle as the only turtle in the western hemisphere to live exclusively in brackish water,” Lechowicz said, adding that Southwest Florida is home to two of the seven subspecies the mangrove diamondback terrapin and ornate diamondback terrapin

The SCCF began research on diamondback terrapins in Lee County in 2012, becoming the first team in the area to deploy satellite transmitters on pregnant females to identify important nesting areas

“A lot of knowledge about this species has come out of our research, and we will continue to use our data to push for

SWFL solar co-op to host informational events for community

By STAFF REPORT trepecki@breezenewspapers com

T h r o u g h t h e n o n p r o f i t g r o u p S o l a r U n i t e d Neighbors, the Southwest Florida 2023 Solar Co-op will host two, free information sessions next week one on the islands to discuss going solar

The co-op's purpose is to provide homeowners, nonprofits and small businesses in Lee and Collier counties with collective buying power to affordably convert to solar energy Members will learn about solar energy, then leverage their numbers to get competitive pricing and quality solar installations

After a bidding process facilitated by SUN, a group of volunteers from the co-op will select a solar company to complete the installations Members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer's group rate But, they are not obligated to do so

The information sessions will be held:

∫ March 14 from 6 to 7:30 p m at All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, at 2756 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

∫ March 15 from 6 to 7:30 p m at the BaileyMatthews National Shell Museum, at 3075 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel

Island co-op members include the city of Sanibel, Sanibel-Captiva Renewable Energy Working Group, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Committee of the Islands, “Ding” Darling Wildlife S o c i e t y - F r i e n d s o f t h e R e f u g e , S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a Conservation Foundation and Bailey's General Store.

To register for a session or for more information, visit solarunitedneighbors org/swfl/events mandatory BRDs on commercial crab traps, which outnumber recreational crab traps,” he said, adding that if commercial BRDs are implemented, Charlotte Harbor and the Pine Island Sound will be among the areas that require them

The SCCF noted that in addition to bycatch, threats to diamondback terrapins include illegal collection, loss of nesting and foraging habitat such as seagrass beds and saltmarshes, and poor water quality

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 Visitor & Education Center and Wildlife Drive remain closed to the public due to the hurricane damage Consequently, many programs and events are canceled

I n a d d i t i o n , t h e D D W S p r o v i d e d t h e f o l l o w i n g updates:

∫ Refuge Cleanup with a Ranger takes place on Thursdays at 9 a m Participation is limited; preregistration is required at DingDarling Eventbrite com

∫ “Ding” Darling Nature Wellness is partnering with the Sanibel Recreation Center to offer free Mindfulness Meditations and Mindful Nature Walks Preregister at DingDarling Eventbrite com

∫ Most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Nature Store will pop up at the Outdoor Gallery and Island Market from 10 a m to 2 p m at the Rachel Pierce Art Gallery, at 1571 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

∫ The Sounds of the Sand fundraiser will take place

Biological sur veys ongoing at refuge

on March 25 from 1 to 7 p m at Bell Tower in Fort Myers to benefit the refuge's hurricane recovery and conservation The DDWS, Two Lane Lager and Bell Tower are partnering for the free event To become an event sponsor, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety org or 239-292-0566

∫ The deadline to apply for DDWS scholarships for environmental studies is March 31.

∫ In concert with Earth Day, the “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival will take place on April 22 at the Lakes Park in Fort Myers

∫ “Ding” Wellness Week will precede National Mental Health Awareness Week, May 3-10

∫ The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament will take place on May 19 Registration is open As of March 2, there were two spots left The DDWS thanked the 2023 sponsors To become an event sponsor, contact Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety org or 239-292-0566