Last week, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) announced Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) CEO James Evans as its 2026 Alumnus of Distinction.

As the most prestigious award FGCU’s Alumni Association bestows upon a graduate, it honors alumni who have upheld the tradition of excellence through their personal accomplishment, professional achievement, and/or humanitarian service.

Evans earned an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies in 1999, making him one of FGCU’s earliest graduates after the university opened in August 1997. He also received a master’s degree in Environmental Science in 2011.

“James Evans exemplifies the leadership, vision, and dedication needed to guide Southwest Florida and the FGCU community toward a sustainable future. A proud FGCU alumnus, James has built a career rooted in environmental stewardship, collaborative leadership, and community resilience,” said Bonie Montalvo, President of the Alumni Association, in a YouTube announcement on Jan. 6.

“I am deeply honored to serve as this year’s Alumnus of Distinction,” said Evans. “I credit FGCU and the long list of mentors that I had during my graduate and undergraduate work with my success as an environmental professional. I am proud to be a double-degree Eagle and to represent such a great institution that gave me my start.”

Nominated for commitment to coastal ecosystems

In her nomination of Evans, Robbie B. Roepstorff, President of Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, put his name forward from a unique vantage point.

“In addition to being an FGCU Trustee, I am also a former SCCF Trustee and longtime Sanibel Islander. Because of that coastal perspective, I am passionately committed to achieving optimal water quality, sound conservation policies and practices, and the resulting enhanced quality of life for all who call Southwest Florida home. James is a warrior with regard to all these issues,” she wrote.

 Aside from crediting his professional achievements as the City of Sanibel’s Director of Natural Resources before joining SCCF in 2020 as Environmental Policy Director, and then CEO since 2022, she also highlighted his humanitarian service.

“As SCCF’s CEO, James was very much a first responder following the devastation of Hurricane Ian,” wrote Roepstorff. “He told his three dozen employees that while they should be proud that they work at an organization committed to preserving Southwest Florida’s natural ecosystems and wildlife habitat since 1967, they would now become a social service organization until further notice.”

“Despite their own personal post-hurricane cleanup efforts, his employees were directed to help islanders, especially the elderly and most challenged, to clean out their homes and clear their properties of fallen trees and vegetation debris.”

From undergrad to regional leader

His nomination was also supported by a letter from Greg Tolley, Dean of The Water School at FGCU.

“James Evans represents the very best that FGCU has to offer. He could have succeeded at any university in the country, but he took a chance as a pioneer at a brand-new institution in his own community,” wrote Tolley, who served as his Major Professor 27 years ago. “At SCCF, James has become a strong voice for the environment and an extraordinary leader in the community.”

Chauncey Goss, Chair of the South Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board, also endorsed his nomination.

 “James has elevated SCCF and its scientists to being regional experts on any number of issues impacting our environment and our quality of life,” wrote Goss. “It is incredible to think that this all began with an education in Environmental Studies at FGCU. This is exactly the kind of alumni impact the founders of FGCU envisioned for the university.”

Evans, along with seven Soaring Eagle Alumni Award recipients, was selected from a field of 135 nominees. They will be honored at an Alumni Awards Celebration Dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 17.