Projects We Fund
We believe that educating natural resource managers of the future is critical to conservation.
We believe in conservation education. To ensure the future of our natural resources, we believe we must foster a new generation of resource managers – the nature stewards of tomorrow. We raise funds to help educate and provide practical experience to young conservationists.
Every year, Sanibel FlyFishers raises funds to support marine science graduate students at the FGCU Water School and early career marine scientists at the Marine Laboratory of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation; both are addressing conservation issues facing the future of marine resources of southwest Florida.
Sanibel FlyFishers Club Scholarship Endowed Fund
We created an endowed fund at the FGCU Water School to provide scholarships for graduate students. In four years, we raised over $300,000 to endow that scholarship for the long haul. It is actively supporting and will continue to support graduate students at the FGCU Water School.
To learn more about the Florida Gulf Coast University Water School, visit their website.
Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation Marine Lab Fellowship
Dr. Eric Milbrandt, Director of the SCCF Marine Lab, points out that these fellowships are designed to broaden the experience of early career young professionals. “In addition to research on other projects, we ask them to formulate their own project, purchase necessary supplies to complete the project and collect and analyze data. At the end of their internship, they present their findings in a seminar with lab staff and others who are interested. The internship allows people to explore the field of marine science and gain connections and gives them on-the-job training to help them decide on a direction for graduate school, and it gives them additional experience.
Dr. Eric Milbrandt, Director of the SCCF Marine Lab is very excited to create these fellowships with the Sanibel FlyFishers. “Recent graduates in marine science with a BS degree have limited opportunities for exploring research in Florida. This group of graduates want to work in the field but often face stiff competition for jobs in scientific and field research against more experienced people or people who have completed a graduate degree. “
Research fellowships are impactful to our islands in many ways: they help guide a career path and provide an opportunity to gain practical experience and knowledge. They help train people to be better prepared for the job market. Interns help us learn about, and better understand our marine environments and the challenges they face.
And these young people live and work in our community, enriching it. So much good – right here on our island.