Welcome to “The Effects on Terrestrial Wildlife from Tropical Storms with Major Storm Surge” event!

Join us in-person or via ZOOM for an insightful discussion on the research Chris Lechowicz has gathered as a Director and Scientist with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). tropical storms with storm surge impact terrestrial wildlife. Learn about the challenges animals and ecosystems face in these extreme weather events. Sanibel Island was affected by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Wildlife populations had just started to recover when the two newer storms came through and soaked the island with salt water again. While storm surge usually harms native populations, invasive species usually benefit: learn how and why by joining us for this chapter of the 2025 Speaker Series!

Chris Lechowicz began working at SCCF in 2002 as a biologist focusing on herpetological research. He became the director of his department in 2010 and manages approximately 2,200 acres of conservation lands for SCCF. He began research projects on eastern indigo snakes, Florida box turtles, diamondback terrapins, and the islands’ ephemeral turtles. Chris’s department keeps tabs on Sanibel’s terrestrial wildlife, including native and non-native species.