NCSTF Mission
North Captiva Sea Turtle Foundation, Inc. (NCSTF) was established in 2020 and is dedicated to the conservation and protection of the marine turtle and education of the public in this endeavor.
North Captiva Sea Turtle Foundation is authorized to conduct stranding or salvage activities, nesting surveys and hatch success evaluations, as well as to outfit nests with self-releasing screens, under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permit #MTP-044, held by Helen Justice.
NCSTF History
In the aftermath of Hurricane Charlie, a Category 4 storm that struck North Captiva Island on August 13, 2004, the beaches in the State Park were covered with toppled Australian pines, making it impossible to walk along the shoreline. The state agreed to clear the debris only if someone on the island volunteered to monitor the beach for turtle crawls and nests daily so that any work done would not disturb them.
Eight people agreed to monitor the beach and met with the state biologist at Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) for training. But the number of volunteers dwindled until only Sue Ann Cousar was left. She agreed to take on the responsibility of monitoring the entire park, receiving a state permit in 2006. In 2007 she applied for and received a permit to also monitor the residential beach. Sue Ann remained a one-woman team until 2011 when Pam West joined her. Mark and Helen Justice joined a year later.
Sue Ann Cousar
Pam West
Helen & Mark Justice
NCSTF Directors
It is a privilege and pleasure to get up early in the morning, see the sunrise and be the first one on the beach. It is an added benefit to serve the organization and help preserve the sea turtles.
~ Tina Davis
