Headquarters Remodel & Board in the Field - FY 2021-22 SCCF Annual Report

Remodel SCCF Headquarters Remodel Underway

In May, contractors started extensive renovations to transform the former SCCF Nature Center into an energy efficient collaborative space intended for more interaction among staff members and volunteers, and with visiting scientists.

For the project generously underwritten by Gaye and Jim Pigott, the design by Sanibel architect Amy Nowacki features more than 20 offices and workstations, an indoor lab space, bathrooms with a shower for those commuting by bike or coming in from the field, outdoor decks, and solar panels. The remodel is being done by Benchmark General Contractors and is expected to be completed in December. It will also include a reception area with space for volunteers and a large board room with seating for 42 people for presentations.

Originally constructed in 1977, the aging structure was no longer meeting the needs of the organization, which currently employs a staff of 39 at five different locations across Sanibel.

Board of Trustees Into the Field

Under the leadership of Board of Trustees President Don Rice and CEO James Evans, board members have been getting their feet wet and their hands dirty as they learn more about SCCF’s mission-driven work.

Instead of sitting in the boardroom or meeting via Zoom, they’ve gone deep into terrestrial turtle habitat and out on the water to restore mangroves and oyster beds at a rookery island in Pine Island Sound.

A trip to Benedict Key in May served as part of SCCF’s Coastal Watch effort to recruit volunteers to assist with ongoing restoration that includes planting mangroves grown from propagules and scattering oyster shells donated by island restaurants.

In April, Trustees visited three sites to see the work the Wildlife & Habitat Management team does to protect various species and habitats on preserve lands.