With refreshing temperatures and sunny skies, more than 100 members enjoyed the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Annual Meeting held outdoors at the Bailey Homestead Preserve’s pavilion on Dec. 3.

“This year’s annual meeting was terrific! We had a good crowd, and people enjoyed being together,” said outgoing Board of Trustees President Anne Nobles, who opened the meeting following a half hour of lively socializing at the nonprofit’s first big gathering of the 2024-25 season.

Board of Trustee President Anne Nobles

 

SCCF CEO James Evans thanked Nobles for serving as President over the past year.

“Anne’s passion for conservation is second to none, especially her love for mud turtles,” he said. “Thank you for your leadership and for steering our ship through some very challenging times.”

Three new trustees were voted in at the meeting including Calli Johnson duPont, Laura Gales, and Dave Nichols.

“Our new trustees and officers will provide great leadership for SCCF as it implements its strategic plan,” said Nobles.

This year, SCCF honored two artists as recipients of the “Ding” Darling Brush of Excellence Environmental Art Program at the meeting — Cecilia Montalvo and Charlie McCullers. They generously donated 23 large prints to Intern Housing. Three were unveiled at the meeting.

Andrea Koss, widow of Ding Darling’s grandson and standard bearer Kip Koss, doubled the size of her annual artist honorarium for the new “Ding” Darling Environmental Art Program prize recipients.

“Working in wet-plate collodion, in the field…was an essential choice. Wet plate is sensitive to temperature, to humidity, to vibrations, to sand grains in the wind — it can’t be controlled,” said Montalvo.

Cecilia Montalvo, James Evans, and Charlie McCullers

 

The large, ethereal images of mangroves and water transport Montalvo back to her childhood when she first vacationed on the ever-evolving barrier islands. Together, she and McCullers hope the artwork will pass down their “love for the natural system, and a core philosophical conviction that people and nature can be good for one another.”

“We wanted to capture a sense of the dynamism of these barrier islands…and learn how to see again, like we did when we were kids, amazed by the wonder of every discovery on these beaches and sandbars,” she said. “It’s very gratifying to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, working to conserve this special place.”

The annual event is known for bringing together the whole SCCF Family, including scientists, educators, and other team members who share updates on their day-to-day work with members, donors, volunteers, and other community supporters in a casual setting before the formal meeting begins.

In his remarks, CEO Evans cited his gratitude for SCCF’s “amazing staff, our talented Board members, and hardworking volunteers, and our generous supporters.”

SCCF Coastal Watch Technician Skye McDonald (left) and Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau with City of Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson

 

“I am thankful to work in a community that puts conservation first,” he said, adding how that ongoing support has led to a science-to-solutions approach that began more than 50 years ago.

He also cited the completion of a 5-year strategic plan this past year as a collaborative effort and major accomplishment for the Board and staff.

“Our work is vital to the future of Southwest Florida,” said Evans. “Ongoing development pressure, water quality issues, and impacts to wildlife habitat make our work more important than ever.”

To encourage more people to support SCCF’s focus on coastal resilience and expanding its research and advocacy capabilities, the nonprofit announced a new FREE membership campaign at the meeting.

Outgoing Trustees thanked for their service included Laura DeBruce (who previously resigned for City Council service), Jill McCormack, Anne Nobles, and John Raho.

The new executive committee was also approved, with Nik Khakee as President, Scott Hendershot as Vice President, John Morse as Treasurer, and Megan Doss as Secretary.

Also acknowledged were new inductees to the Legacy Society and long-time volunteer Lisa Cochrane for her role as Tennis Tournament Chair for many years.

Founded in 1967, SCCF’s mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems.