turtles Coastal Watch provides project updates post-storm

Coastal Watch recently provided status reports on previous projects following Hurricane Ian

A f e w d a y s a f t e r H u r r i c a n e I a n , Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Marine Lab Director Dr Eric Milbrandt was able to get an aerial view of Hemp and Benedict Key. Coastal Watch reported that the islands look rough, but it is not all bad news A few mangrove seedlings were visible by air and later confirmed by boat

Director Kealy McNeal was able to visit Hemp Key in early February to con-

See UPDATES, page 11

Hemp and Benedict Key

REFUGE/DDWS

ABOVE: Students from Penn State University

RIGHT: Northern Michigan University students

Refuge welcomes student cleanup crews

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that many college students want to party on their spring break, but some want to give back Fourteen seniors from Penn State University reached out to the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to coordinate a half-day kayak cleanup of Tarpon Bay Led by Ranger Jess Barry, the students handpicked debris along one entire side of the bay They pulled in old kayak paddles, various plastic items, rope, monofilament, refuge signs, Styrofoam, and other hurricane debris from deep in the mangroves during a h i g h t i d e I n a d d i t i o n , f o u r N o r t h e r n M i c h i g a n University students helped Barry organize the Visitor & Education Center front desk areas in anticipation of the

Legislative Session underway for state

March 7 marked the beginning of the 60-day Florida Legislative Session. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that its environmental policy team is hard at work speaking up for local ecosystems “Based upon many the numerous pro-urban sprawl bills filed so far, this session is setting up as one of the most challenging for growth management and the environment since the elimination of the Florida Department of Community Affairs in 2011,” SCCF Policy Associate Holly Schwartz said To keep up with the b i l l s t h a t t h e S C C F i s f o l l o w i n g , v i s i t t h e L e g i s l a t i v e T r a c k e r a t https://www sccf org/our-work/environmental-policy