Program Descriptions


Birding the Preserves

Join experienced birders for outings on preserved lands.

When: Every Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. from January through March
Where: Call 472-2329 for schedule of outings and details of where to meet.
Fee: Free and open to all levels of birders; bring binoculars.

kayakingBuck Key Kayaking Adventures


Naturalist-led kayak outings in cooperation with Captiva Kayak Company. The cultural and natural history of the area is discussed along the way.

When: One or more trips per month; call for times and dates.
Where: Meet at Captiva Kayak Company.
Fee: $45/person. Reservations are required.

Butterfly House Tours

Learn about the life cycles of Florida’s native butterflies and their connections with native, host plants.  The Butterfly House is open year-round for self-guided tours.

When: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. from January through March
Where: Nature Center Butterfly House.
Fee: $1 for non-members.

Dolphin & Wildlife Adventure Cruises

Narrated by Conservation Foundation docents, this Captiva Cruises trip is an excellent way to enjoy dolphins, other wildlife, and learn the eco-history of Pine Island Sound and the islands.

When: Daily at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Boat departs from South Seas Resort.
Fee: $20/adult; $12.50 children 4-12; 3 and under free. Reservations required: 472-5300; check out website at www.captivacruises.com.

fish houseFish House Boat Trip

Explore the hidden reaches of Pine Island Sound, cruising by historic fish houses and Demere Key. Learn about the history of fishing as it relates to Pine Island Sound and some of the research initiatives taking place today.

When: Call for dates and times.
Where: Boat departs from McCarthy’s Marina, Captiva.
Fee: $45 per person. Reservations required: 472-2329.

Human Uses of Florida Native Plants

Take a guided tour through a garden filled with 90 species of Florida’s native plants. Learn how Calusa Indians in the past as well as Seminole and Caribbean cultures today still rely on Florida’s heritage of native plants for food, shelter, and medicine. The Ethnobotany garden is open for self-guided tours year-round.

When: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. from January through March
Where: Ethnobotany garden.
Fee: Free to members and children, $5 for non-members.

Otters and Others: Guided Trail Walks

Docent-led walk through the interior wetlands and mid-island ridges of SCCF’s Center Tract with discussion of wildlife, native habitats, natural and cultural history, and preservation efforts.

When: Monday-Friday at 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from January through April; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m. from May through December.
Where: Meet at SCCF’s Nature Center.
Fee: Free to members; $3 entrance fee for adult non-members.

Resident Environmental Overview (REO)

This program introduces island residents and property-owners to the conservation community. Each four-hour session includes a tour of SCCF’s Nature Center, then travel to Captiva for a short boat excursion into Pine Island Sound.

When: Call for times and dates.
Where: SCCF’s Conference Room, Captiva, and Pine Island Sound.
Fee: Free but limited to residents only; call 472-2329 for reservations.*

wading tripSeagrass Wading Trips


This program explores the wonders living below the surface of an estuary. Participants will see critters up close, learn about the ecology of seagrass habitats, and find out what is being done to understand and protect these valuable nurseries of the sea.

When:  To be announced
Where: Offered January through March.  Location varies.
Fee: Free; bring old clothes/bathing suit, water shoes, hat, sunglasses, and towel; call 472-2329. Reservations required.

Stars Over Sanibel

Indulge your natural curiosity about the mysteries of the universe as we discuss constellations, our solar system, and distant stars within the Milky Way galaxy.

When: Wednesday evenings February through March. Call 472-2329 for dates and times.
Where: Meet on the porch at the Nature Center, proceed to trails.
Fee: $5/adult; $2/child. Reservations required.

Take Me to the River

A program designed for children ages 5-12 to provide them an opportunity to learn about the important and fascinating aspects of wetlands by exploring and investigating Sanibel’s interior wetlands.

When: Dates and times to be announced.
Where: Center Tract trails and Sanibel River.
Fee: $5/adult, kids free; children must be accompanied by an adult; call 472-2329 for reservations. Reservations required.

Tour de Preserves 

Bike tour to preserves owned and managed by the Foundation. Learn about the preservation of interior freshwater wetlands and the Sanibel River corridor, which provide both upland and wetland habitat for a diversity of wildlife.

When: Dates and times to be announced.
Where: Meet in the parking lot of SCCF’s Nature Center and bike to preserves.
Fee: Varies; call 472-2329 for details.

Turtle Tracks

A short video of a loggerhead sea turtle digging a nest and laying her eggs will initiate a discussion of the life cycle of the sea turtles that nest on our beaches. The discussion continues around our marine touch tank exhibit as participants learn about the animals that make up the diet of the loggerhead sea turtle. The program then proceeds to the beach to examine sea turtle nest habitat, shoreline dynamics, and aspects of other fascinating marine life.

When: Every Thursday at 9 a.m.
Where: Programs begin inside SCCF’s Nature Center at the sea turtle exhibit and marine touch tank, after which the participants go to Gulfside City Park for a beach walk.
Fee: Free to members and children; $5 for non-members; $2 beach parking fee may apply.