LECTURES | author-blog

Are you interested in the Human and Natural History of Southwest Florida?

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Our subject matter is varied. Please check out the Bio link for more information on the speaker. Popular presentations include: The Sanibel Island Lighthouse; Sea Turtle Conservation in Southwest Florida; The American Crocodile in Florida; A History of Everglades Wonder Gardens**; The Weaponry of the Calusa Indians*; A History of J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge****.

* I lived there for 22 years and wrote a book about it (Sanybel Light).

** I pioneered sea turtle conservation in Southwest Florida and wrote a book about it (Sea Turtles of Southwest Florida.).

*** I wrote a book about them (Florida's Crocodile: Biology and History of a Threatened Species).

**** I worked there six years and wrote a book about the Piper brothers (Everglades Wildlife Barons).

***** I wrote a book about the Calusa Indians of Southwest Florida (The Calusan).

****** I worked there for 32 years and wrote a book about it (J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge).

Charles LeBuff discussing his replication of a Calusa saber during a lecture. This is the weapon used in battle against the Spanish by Panti, Calusa hero of his best-selling historical novel The Calusan. Photo courtesy of Kim Spina.

Leading off is a listing of a few previously-presented lectures (in red) to give you an idea of the breadth of our public presentations. Please scroll to the bottom to find our current speaking line-up (in white).

October 22 , 2013— A presentation on the History of Sea Turtle Conservation in Southwest Florida for "Ding" Darling Days at the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Education Center.

November 19 — Tales of a Different Sanibel. A PowerPoint presentation for members of the Sanibel-Captiva Sail and Power Squadron, Sanibel Community House.

April 16 — A fund-raising presentation by Charles LeBuff: The History and Operation of the Sanibel Lighthouse for the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum. In the Sanibel Schoolhouse at the Village

January 18 — The Other Shells of Sanibel and Captiva — The Turtles. A presentation by Charles LeBuff and Chris Lechowicz for the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, at the Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum, Sanibel-Captiva Road.

January 29 — An illustrated presentation, Adventures With Island Amphibians and Reptiles, by island herpetologists Charles LeBuff and Chris Lechowicz, with their "special guest." They are coauthors of the recently published book, Amphibians and Reptiles of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida: A Natural History. They share over 64 years of studying these interesting and often dangerous animals exclusively on our barrier islands. Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society, Sanibel Community House.

January 31 — A Morning with Calusa Indians: Their Culture, Tools, and Weapons, for the Barefoot Beach Environmental Education Series. In the Chickee Hut adjacent to Parking Lot Number 1, Barefoot Beach. From the western end of Bonita Beach Road, turn left (south) at Barefoot Beach Blvd., continue past the gate (no need to stop) and follow the road until you reach Barefoot Beach Preserve. Note: there is an $8 charge per car to enter the preserve which is good for all day parking.

March 25 — A fund-raising presentation by Charles LeBuff: Getting to Know the Calusa People for the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum. In the Shore Haven building at the Village.

April 22 — EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT SCCF: A Conservation Conversation with Charles LeBuff at the SCCF Visitor Center, Sanibel-Captiva Road. Featuring wide-ranging topics that relate to the human and natural history of Sanibel-Captiva islands and implications of a positive, broad-based community conservation ethic as it developed over the past 70 years. Bring your questions.

February 19 , 2016 — An Afternoon with Calusa Indians: Their Culture, Tools, and Weapons, for the "Meet the Author" series at Collier County's South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, Florida. This will include a discussion on how a young future author was introduced to the early people of Southwest Florida and later was inspired to replicate their artifacts to capture the essence of their lifestyle for developing his best-selling novel, The Calusan.

December 13, 2018—A double-header; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The first public introduction and release of the new book from History Press, Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story, by Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff. This will be the authors' first public presentation of their new book. At the Education Center, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel. An illustrated discussion about the book’s historic content will be followed by a a book-signing.

December 14, 2018—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

December 29, 2018—A meet and greet with authors Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff as they discuss and sign copies of their new book, Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story. MacIntosh Books and Paper, Palm Ridge Road. Sanibel. 2-4 p.m.

2019

January 18—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

January 25—The Herpetology of Sanibel and Captiva Islands. A PowerPoint presentation by Charles LeBuff, coauthor of the book, Amphibians and Reptiles of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida: A Natural History, and more recently, Florida’s Crocodile: The History and Biology of a Threatened Species. He will share his lifetime of studying many of these interesting and often dangerous animals. His pioneering alligator and sea turtle research work actually began in Collier County 65 years ago. 3 p.m. Near Naples at the Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Boulevard West.

January 29—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. This presentation includes lighthouse and Sanibel Island history. 10 a.m.

February 8—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

February 11, 2019 — An Afternoon With the Calusa. A presentation and demonstration of their culture, tools, and weapons, for the Estero Historical Society, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. 2:00 p.m. This program will include a discussion on how a young man was first introduced to the early people of Southwest Florida at a place close to Estero. That event inspired him years later to replicate their artifacts as he strived to capture the essence of their lifestyle in his best-selling historical novel, The Calusan.

February 14—Through a PowerPoint presentation long-time Sanibel islanders Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff explore and share the history of the conservation ethic on Sanibel and Captiva islands for the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society. Their new book, Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story is the definitive work on the subject. 7:30 p.m. at the Sanibel Community House.

February 15—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

February 26—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. This presentation includes lighthouse and Sanibel Island history. 10 a.m.

March 1—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

March 8—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

March 15—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

March 20, 2019—An afternoon with Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff discussing their new book from History Press, Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story. 2 p.m. at the Sanibel Public Library. A discussion about the book’s historic content will be followed by a fun Q & A period, and a book-signing. Books will be available for sale; courtesy of MacIntosh Book Shop.

March 26—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. This presentation includes lighthouse and Sanibel Island history. 10 a.m.

December 18—Release of The Audubon Warden and book signing at MacIntosh Books and Paper, Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2020

January 17—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

February 3—PRIVATE FUNCTION—The History of Conserving Sanibel and Captiva—A joint presentation with Betty Anholt for a business group at Sundial Resort. 6 to 7 p.m.

February 12—PRIVATE FUNCTION—A presentation about the Sanibel Island Lighhouse for the Barefoot Beach Chapter, National Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution. At the Grandezza Country Club on Ben Hill Griffin Road in Estero, FL. 11:30 a.m.

February 14—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

February 21—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

February 28—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

March 2—Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story. Private presentation for the docents of Sanibel's Historic Village. Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff discuss the history of the conservation movement on the barrier islands. Noon.

March 6—Private presentation for the Road Scholar program at Sundial Resort — Calusa Encounters - Tales and artifacts of the Calusa Indians who once dominated Sanibel Island and Southwest Florida. 9 a.m.

March 23—Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff PowerPoint presentation, Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands. 10 a.m. at Shell Point Village, followed by a "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-sponsored book signing.

Charles LeBuff demonstrating the use of an atlatl; one of Calusa design and specifications.

A happy Road Scholar group gathered on Point Ybel, Sanibel Island's eastern tip. They are beginning a tour of Sanibel Island by bicycle on February 1, 2017 Their first activity on the island was a discussion about the famed Sanibel Island Lighthouse. San Carlos Bay and the high span of the Sanibel Causeway is behind them.