SCCF acquires mangrove islands in Pine Island Sound

Building on its 55-year conservation legacy, the S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a C o n s e r v a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n l a s t w e e k announced the acquisition of the MacKeever Keys

“With the recent impacts of Hurricane Ian, we know the wide-ranging benefits that mangroves provide to our c o m m u n i t i e s i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , ” S C C F C h i e f Executive Officer James Evans said “This acquisition will ensure that these mangrove islands and the wildlife habitat that they provide will be protected for future generations ”

The acquisition includes 25 acres of mangrove islands that will be preserved in perpetuity The lands were purc h a s e d u s i n g t h e S C C F ’ s L a n d A c q u i s i t i o n & Improvement Fund, which was created by an anonymous donor who wanted funds to be available when opportunities arose for preserving environmentally-sensitive lands

The SCCF reported that those who have fished the seagrass flats and oyster reefs of the Pine Island Sound are probably familiar with the group of islands off of the southwest coast of Pine Island While they may be unre-

FDOT to begin roadway, bridge work on Pine Island Road in Matlacha

As part of the Emergency Restoration of the Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge, motorists can expect temporary, intermittent lane closures with flagging operations along CR 78 (Pine Island Road) from west of Little Pine Island Bridge (Bridge No 120111) to west of Shoreview Drive

■ Next week, April 30 to May 6, crews will begin c l e a r i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n z o n e , i n s t a l l i n g t e m p o r a r y asphalt and installing a low-profile barrier

■ Beginning in June, crews are expected to begin driving sheet pile in the south side of the roadway

■ Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone

■ Expect noise from construction equipment in the area

■ Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway

Please be patient and plan for additional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area

For additional information, visit the FDOT project web page at https://www swflroads com/project/4519372 o r c o n t a c t D o u g A b a t e b y e m a i l a t

PineIslandinfo@qcausa com

PIE students raise nearly $1,000 for the American Heart Association

During the two-week “Kid’s Heart Challenge,” Pine Island Elementary students gathered donations to the American Heart Association amounting to $984

During the challenge, students enter these donations online and also learn about nutrition and heart health When introducing the fund drive, Coach Jeff Nelson showed a video that gives health tips for students, and quizzers them on the information It also introduced 8year-old Finn He is this year’s featured student from Virginia, who received successful heart surgery based on American Heart Association research, which is funded by these donations Students who donate receive small gifts such as keychains, kickballs, jump ropes and T-shirts

“The AHA coordinator and I were talking, and we were concerned after Ian and all the damage, rebuilding and just general stress out here, that maybe this isn’t the time to ask for donations,” said Nelson, “Then we decided that any little bit helps, so we opened up the challenge to see what would happen It turns out we tripled our donations from last year’s event!”

Concerning the success of the drive, he added, “I think that speaks to the generosity and good spirit of many of our families ” markable at first glance to the casual observer, they are a favorite spot of local anglers for poling the shallow grass flats or casting into the mangrove fringe in search of redfish and snook

The SCCF added that the islands provide more than fishing for anglers, they also provide critical habitat for a number of marine and terrestrial wildlife species, including wading birds, such as herons, egrets, ibises and spoonbills, as well as diving birds, including pelicans, cormorants and anhingas

MacKeever Keys also serve as roosting sites for frigatebirds and they provide essential habitat for diamondback terrapins, mangrove tree crabs, periwinkle snails, bay scallops and oysters The grass flats and mangrove islands also provide nursery habitat for young fish and invertebrates that support local commercial and sport fisheries, as well as habitat for the endangered small-

Toothed Sawfish

“We want to thank Eric and Mary Ellen Pfeifer, with Pfeifer Realty Group, for their generous assistance in helping us acquire these important conservation lands,” Evans said “We also want to thank Superior Title for their assistance during the closing and for supporting our work ”

With a mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems, the SCCF has protected more than 2,100 acres of land As the largest private landowner on Sanibel, it extended its reach into the region last year with the acquisition of mangroves in Cape Coral and salt flats in South Fort Myers

For more information on donating to the SCCF's Land Acquisition & Improvement Fund, contact Development Director Cheryl Giattini at cgiattini@sccf org or 239822-6121