provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) celebrated its hundreds of volunteers on April 10, as more than 50 individuals attended the nonprofit’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Party, held at the Bailey Homestead Preserve.
“Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization,” said SCCF CEO James Evans. “Since 1967 when a group of volunteers founded SCCF, those who generously donate their time and talents have served as the basis for our mission-driven work as well as our amazing community support.”
Last year, more than 860 volunteers donated more than 10,000 hours across program areas.
Set against the backdrop of April’s Earth Month, the party’s theme was “You Mean the World to Us.”
“By acting locally, you are having a global impact on many species that depend on our conservation efforts, like our sea turtles, shorebirds, raptors like our bald eagles, and ospreys, as well as other species that are not as well studied like our mud turtles and diamondback terrapins,” said Evans.
One of the highlights of the evening was a global trivia contest, hosted by Coastal Watch Director Kealy McNeal. From questions about mangrove ecosystems in Asia to locally threatened bird species, volunteers showcased their impressive conservation knowledge.
As an added bonus, all attendees walked away knowing SCCF’s mission statement: to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems.
Coastal Watch volunteers were honored for their amazing efforts in helping the community recover following Hurricane Ian. In 2023, over 650 individual volunteers logged more than 3,000 volunteer hours across 45 Coastal Watch cleanup events, removing several thousand pounds of debris. They also planted 3,500 mangroves at several SCCF restoration sites.
In a major milestone, Dean Skaugstad was celebrated as SCCF’s longest-running volunteer, with his 30-year tenure as a Hammerhead and all-around volunteer earning him a well-deserved standing ovation.
“While we know that you choose to volunteer selflessly and without expectation of being recognized or rewarded, today we wish to do just that,” added Evans.
Additionally, SCCF recognized those who achieved 5-year increment milestones in 2024. The names below include volunteers who contribute their time and talents across a wide array of departments and program areas, including:
• Shorebird and sea turtle monitoring
• Coastal Watch
• Board of Trustees and Board advisory committees
• Marine Laboratory
• Native Landscapes & Garden Center
• Education and outreach including Weeds ‘n’ Seeds
• Hammerheads (facility and equipment construction and repairs)
• Administrative work
• Wildlife monitoring
| Heidi Denis | Laura Shaffer | Karen Turner |
| Lorri Philbin | Kay Sadighi | Phil Weyman |
| Becky Mulka | Rachel Walsh | Tina Weyman |
| Audrey Mulka | Diane Clarke | Sally Divenere |
| Joleen Raho | Pam Miller | John Morse |
| Roberta Puschel | Tom Miller | Jewel Jensen |
| Philip Puschel | Dean Caple | Susan Beittel |
| Lynn Meline | Mayri Caple | Robin Kirk |
| Stefanie Plein (Wolf) | Doug Ryckman | Michael Galloway |
| Carol McCallum | Marsha Walsh | Nancy Riley |
| Kerry Salatino | Julianne Kirkpatrick | Philip Klaren |
| Ruth Brooks | France Paulsen | Lisa Newmeyer-Cochrane |
| Linda Tedeschi | Mike Rice | Claudia Burns |
| Karl Werner | Wendy Kindig | Irene Nolan |
| Barb Halko | Marilyn Klaren | Joan Rogers |
| Molly Downing | Allen Dunham | Robin Krivanek |
| Dean Skaugstad | Fay Carney | Linda Uhler |
| Tory Burch | Gwenda Hiett-Clements | Tom Uhler |
Find out how to become an SCCF volunteer.
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