Wednesday, Feb. 19, brings the monthly luncheon meeting of the SanCap Chamber to Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island starting at 11:30 a.m. Guest speaker Kealy Pfau, Coastal Watch director for SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation), will update attendees on how her programs benefit the islands’ shorelines and post-hurricane restoration. SCCF will sponsor the luncheon.
Through mangrove and oyster restorations, beach and road cleanups, and other sustainability projects, Coastal Watch implements local, volunteer-based initiatives to restore our habitats, clean our environment, and encourage sustainability. Pfau’s talk will focus on SCCF’s new voluntourism initiative, letting businesses know to spread the word to get visitors helping with ongoing hurricane cleanup and restoration projects.
Pfau, who grew up in Iowa, spent childhood vacations in Florida, where she fell in love with coastal wildlife and habitats. She attended the University of Tampa and studied environmental and marine science. Later, she worked for The Audubon Society, monitoring and protecting nesting shorebirds on beaches in Florida and Massachusetts.
In 2018, Pfau joined SCCF’s Sanibel Sea School as a marine science educator. As SCCF’s Coastal Watch director since 2022, she is responsible for planning and carrying forth community conservation initiatives on Sanibel and Captiva. She is passionate about our coastlines, ecosystem restoration, and public outreach and is continually expanding her role in engaging the community and visitors on a deeper level.
“SCCF’s Coastal Watch program aligns perfectly with chamber clean water legislative priorities and efforts to protect our environment for the betterment of island economy,” said SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer John Lai. “We eagerly await Kealy’s ‘deep dive,’ so to speak, into the importance of keeping our seas and shorelines healthy.”
The chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss business topics relevant to the membership. SanCap Chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $35.
Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at [email protected] or 239-472-8759. Payment is due at time of registration.
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or [email protected].
