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SCCF
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The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) connects you to nature through conversations with our scientists and educators who are dedicated to our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems.

  1. 5D AGO

    Florida Legislative Update: Week 8

    Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis provides updates on budget negotiations and the potential for a prolonged legislative session. He also discusses bills related to land use, agriculture, energy policy, and more.

    16 min

  2. FEB 24

    Florida Legislative Update: Week 6

    Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis provides updates on bills moving through the legislative session, highlighting the widely publicized "Farm Bill" amendment, the Blue Ribbon Projects Bill, Nature-Based Solutions, and several other bills impacting Florida's land, water, and wildlife.

    18 min

  3. FEB 10

    Florida Legislative Update: Week 4

    In this episode, SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis breaks down key developments from Week 4 of Florida’s legislative session. Matt walks through updates on major bills moving through the Capitol, including the Florida Farm Bill, proposed legislation affecting data centers, conservation lands, and other environmental priorities. Tune in for a clear, timely overview of what’s happening in Tallahassee and what it could mean for Florida’s natural resources.

    20 min

  4. JAN 27

    Florida Legislative Update: Week 2

    In this episode, SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis breaks down the latest bills moving through Florida’s 2026 legislative session that could impact Southwest Florida’s land, water, and wildlife. Topics covered include community resilience, water quality, energy, and wetlands — with several bills continuing the concerning trend of statewide preemption that limits local decision-making. Stay informed with our Legislative Tracker and sign up for SCCF Action Alerts to take action on issues that matter to Florida’s environment.

    19 min

  5. JAN 13

    2026 Florida Legislative Session Begins

    Florida’s environment is on the line this legislative session, from water quality and resilience to single-use plastics and local governance. In this episode, SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis breaks down the kickoff of Florida's 2026 session, highlights key bills the policy team is tracking, and explores how they could shape the future of our state's natural world. Stay informed with our Legislative Tracker: https://sccf.org/legislativetracker/Sign up for SCCF Action Alerts: https://sccf.org/take-action/

    23 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    Ecosystems of the Gulf

    In this episode, the SCCF policy team discusses a vast marine environment often observed from the surface but lesser known in its offshore reaches by many: the Gulf waters surrounding the state of Florida. They explore the Gulf’s wide range of ecosystems, its impressive biodiversity from shallow coastal waters to the deepest reaches, and the fascinating, quirky, and awe-inspiring elements that inspire advocacy to protect these waters from ongoing threats. Take action to protect the Gulf by submitting comments against the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's plan to expand drilling in these waters by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2026: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/BOEM-2025-0483-0001 Learn more: https://sccf.org/2025/11/17/oppose-new-plan-to-allow-oil-drilling-in-florida-waters/https://sccf.org/2025/11/17/oppose-new-plan-to-allow-oil-drilling-in-florida-waters/

    47 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    Sustainability Over the Holidays

    In this episode, the SCCF Environmental Policy team explores why the holiday season, with all its joy, can also have unintended environmental impacts. They present simple tips to combat waste in terms of energy, travel, food choices, gift-giving, and more to have a more sustainable holiday season and New Year.

    35 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    How SB 180 Impacts Resilience Planning

    SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis and Policy Associate Allie Pecenka discuss Senate Bill (SB) 180, a bill recently signed into law with harmful implications for local planning and resilience-building for communities in Florida. They talk about the origins of the bill and its predecessor, SB 250, the dangerous tone SB 180 sets for communities planning to increase their resilience, and what can be done to amend this restrictive legislation.

    28 min
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The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) connects you to nature through conversations with our scientists and educators who are dedicated to our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems.

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