ISL AND HOME islander

F.I.S.H. monthly luncheons resume post-storm

After Hurricane Ian, F I S H of SanibelCaptiva will host its first community-wide Friendly Faces Luncheon on June 13 at 11 a m at the Sanibel Recreation Center, with a virtual option also available

“We are thrilled to bring back our luncheon and to reconnect with community members we haven’t seen for a while,” Senior S e r v i c e s D i r e c t o r E r i k a B r o y l e s s a i d “Friendly Faces is a great way to catch up with friends and make new connections something we’ve missed since so many have been displaced by Hurricane Ian We cannot wait to see all your smiling, friendly faces ”

The luncheon will feature herpetologist a n d 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 Foundation Wildlife and Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz as the guest speaker He will discuss the post-hurricane impact on the islands' wildlife

“It's an honor to host Chris, and we're looking forward to learning more about the wildlife and ecosystems on the islands,” Broyles said.

Lechowicz had an interest in nature at a young age, especially with amphibians and reptiles His passion for all things slimy and scaled led him to the Chicago Herpetological Society, where he was mentored by

A jewel for your landscape

Necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa) is a wonderful evergreen and flowering plant, which has a high tolerance for salt and low water requirements making it ideal for coastal island environments Necklace p o d s c a n b e f o u n d throughout the world on i s l a n d b e a c h e s a n d make an inviting environment for bees, butt e r f l i e s , h u m m i n g b i r d s and warblers by providing food and shelter

The growth habits of the shrub make it a good b a c k g r o u n d p l a n t f o r your landscape and butterfly or wildlife garden It will grow to between 6 feet and 10 feet in height and about the same in width, likes full sun to light shade, and will tolerate poor soil conditions However, adding some organic matter to the soil will help it thrive The evergreen shrub produces leaves that are a soft green, turning to darker green as they mature in an alternating pattern on the stems, giving it a fragile appearance that belies its toughness in standing up to the coastal environment While the shrub will bloom throughout the year, it blooms more abundantly in the fall Beautiful showy clusters of bright yellow blooms that range from 4 inches to 16 inches in length appear simultaneously with the seed pots, lending a lot of interest to the plant The necklace pod derives its name from the connected seed pods that look like beads on a necklace

Invite this wonderful shrub into your garden, prune it occasionally, do not overwater it, and it will produce beautiful interest in your landscape for years to come numerous members and visiting scientists Lechowicz has two Bachelors of Science in zoology and in computer science from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Master of Science in environmental s c i e n c e f r o m F l o r i d a G u l f C o a s t University

In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local garden center, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel For more information, contact 239-395-5859 or visit www.facebook.com/rswalshinthegarden.

He began working at the SCCF in 2002 As land manager, Lechowicz oversees nearly 2,000 acres of conservation land with the help of his field technicians He is a member of the Turtle Survival A l l i a n c e , I U C N / S C C T o r t o i s e a n d F r e s h w a t e r T u r t l e S p e c i a l i s t G r o u p , a b o a r d m e m b e r o f t h e F l o r i d a T u r t l e Conservation Trust, and an active member of the Calusa Herpetological Society

Prepared by the Sanibel Deli, the lunch will be complimentary

Reservations and meal choices are required by June 9

For more information or to make a reservation, contact the F.I.S.H. Walk-In-Center at 239-472-4775. Once registered, F I S H will provide Zoom instructions for those planning to attend virtually

The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel