Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Marine Laboratory 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, FL 33957

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Marine Laboratory, located at 900 Tarpon Bay Road in Sanibel, Florida, is dedicated to protecting and caring for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. With year-round access to various bodies of water, including the Caloosahatchee Estuary, San Carlos Bay, Pine Island Sound, and the Gulf of Mexico, the Marine Lab conducts research to understand the impacts of natural disturbances and human activities on these vital ecosystems.

One of the key research tools used by the Marine Lab is the River Estuary Coastal Observing Network (RECON), which consists of eight near real-time sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee Estuary and Pine Island Sound. These sensors provide valuable data that helps scientists and water managers study water quality issues and develop solutions to protect the marine environment.

The Marine Lab is located within the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a designated marine wilderness area in the United States, and is funded through private donations and grants from local, state, and federal agencies. Collaborating with partners in academia, local governments, and state agencies, the Marine Lab conducts research that contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of marine life and habitats in the region.

Visitors can learn more about the Marine Lab's research and conservation efforts during their operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, as fieldwork allows. Through initiatives like oyster reef restoration, water quality monitoring, and stormwater runoff reduction, the SCCF Marine Lab is actively working to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of Sanibel and Captiva for future generations.