Week of MARCH 13, 2024
VOLUME 62, NUMBER 17
Author to address post-hurricane survival at refuge Have you ever wondered how a gopher tortoise can survive an 8-foot storm surge? What happens to freshwater fish when their ponds fill with saltwater? Why do some homes survive a hurricane unscathed while others are reduced to rubble? Sanibel author and naturalist Charles Sobczak will examine these and other questions in his free lectures, “Surviving the Storms — Hurricanes, Humans, and Wildlife,” on March 14 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. An award-winning author, he has written 10 books, including three nonfiction titles, two selected works and five novels. Sobczak's non-fiction work focuses on local and regional flora and fauna in Florida, including “Living Sanibel: A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands.” The remaining schedule for the “Ding” Darling Lecture Series is as follows: ∫ March 21: Recycling expert Stephanie Kissinger, “Talking Trash: Post-Hurricane Clean-Up and Recycling” *Book signing to follow Seating for the lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can check in after 9 a.m. or noon to obtain a wristband, then explore the Visitor & Education Center or Wildlife Drive and trails before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before the lecture time or risk being reassigned. The “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge co-hosts the lectures with the refuge and through finan-
City council supports school traffic initiative, hears updates By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel City Council gave the green light on a proposal to install a speed detection system outside of the island school at its recent meeting, as well as was updated on a new software program for the Recreation Department's programming and services. On March 5, Sanibel Police Department Police Chief William Dalton gave a presentation on “Automated School Zone Speed Limit Enforcement.” Last year, House Bill 657 was approved and signed into law, which amended Florida statutes to allow for the use of automated speed detection systems for the enforcement of school zone speed limits. He outlined the following key points: ∫ Municipalities are authorized to install automated speed detection systems to enforce school zone speed limits. ∫ A city ordinance must be passed prior to implementation. See CITY CoUNCIL, page 16
IslanderInsIde Charles Sobczak cial support from co-sponsors Cliff and Susan Beittel and Friend of “Ding” Darling. For more information, visit dingdar-
PHOTO PROVIDED
lingsociety.org/articles/lecture-series. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.
Shell museum’s season lecture to focus on Florida corals The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel is continuing with its Season Lecture Series at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The next one will be: ∫ March 20 at 5:30 p.m.: “Florida's Corals and the Mission to Save Them” with Rachel Morgan, senior coral biologist with The Florida Aquarium's Coral Conservation Program in Apollo Beach Coral reefs are among the most important living organisms in the world, sustaining life for countless species of marine
life including mollusks. They are also under major threat worldwide. The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is a leader in regional coral conservation efforts, deploying strategies including reproduction and restoration of the Florida Reef Tract, and it has mobilized an array of collaborations with partners like the
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Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 See LeCTURe, page 17 Preserving Paradise.....................10 Island Living................................12 Rachel Morgan Sports.........................................14 BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM
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