Grant: 25-039C
Project Title: Utility Vehicle (UTV) for nest monitoring surveys on Sanibel and Captiva
Project Manager: Jack Brzoza
Organization: Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $16,899.00
Completion Date: 2025-12-03
Summary: Sanibel and Captiva are barrier islands located off the coast of southwest Florida. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is dedicated to the conservation of coastal habitats and aquatic resources on Sanibel and Captiva and works closely with the City of Sanibel's Natural Resources Department and other environmental partners to protect the island's natural ecology. Loggerheads (Caretta caretta), green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and more rarely leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) and Kemp's ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii) nest on Sanibel and Captiva beaches. SCCF holds the marine turtle permit for nesting and stranding activities on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and monitors approximately 18 miles of beach daily from April through October. In order to effectively and accurately complete nesting surveys, a vehicle is needed to traverse the beach. Walking these surveys has become unrealistic due to the nest density, increased supplies, and the need to split up authorized personnel in order to monitor all 18 miles of beach each day. A UTV is the only practical and safe way to achieve this. Given the current limitations of the beach environment, and the benefits to maintaining consistent survey effort over time, SCCF is requesting funding for a UTV to monitor the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva. Not only will it allow us to fulfill the requirements of our permit but it will also make it possible to maintain spatial continuity in a valuable long-term dataset, both for our INBS and SNBS beaches.
Results: SCCF purchased the vehicle, a John Deere Gator XUV590M, on 5/7/2025 for $18,990.67. This is the one and only budget item included with this grant. There are no more purchases to make with this grant and the UTV order from 5/7/2025 represents greater than 50% of the initial payment ($13,519.20) awarded upon execution of the grant agreement. The vehicle was taken to a local sign company and was wrapped, including a decal acknowledging the Sea Turtle License Plate grant funding directly on the vehicle. Photographs of the wrapping and this particular acknowledge were included in the newsletter and social media posting. The UTV proved critical to the completion of nesting surveys in 2025. The specifications of the vehicle, namely its ability to achieve speeds of 35+ miles per hours has proven especially invaluable in allowing a safe commute to the beach in the morning for surveys.