SCCF raises funds to acquire Periwinkle Wetlands
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation recently reported that approximately 150 families contributed to its recent Periwinkle Wetlands land acquisition campaign.
With gifts ranging from $25 to $1 million, the donors have assured that the 12-plus acres of wildlife habitat that runs from Periwinkle Way to the Sanibel River will be protected in perpetuity. Prior plans were to develop 13 or more homes on the property.
“This is a great day for conservation. Saving this habitat that connects to other already preserved interior wetlands provides the last piece to a significant wildlife corridor along the Sanibel River,” Chief Executive Officer Ryan Orgera said. “We are also very excited to take an unattractive stretch of land along Periwinkle Way and convert it into a beautiful community gathering place where people can contemplate the beauty of nature that surrounds us.”
The lead gift was made by Philip and Roberta Puschel, longtime SCCF supporters and volunteers, who have been granted naming rights to the new preserve. Naming opportunities granted to major donors for features within the preserve will also be announced after significant work is done on the property.
Before then, intensive restoration will be undertaken to remove Class I invasive exotics including java plum and Australian pines. Surveys are being conducted to see which Class II exotic trees are being used by birds of prey, and care will be taken to leave those in place. Because the property was once used as a non-native nursery, the ground cover will also need to be restored, with low-lying invasive plants removed on the front three acres.
“We will shortly close on the property for a discounted purchase price of $2 million. The balance of the campaign funds will then be used for these significant restoration, improvements and maintenance costs,” Board President Don Rice said. “I am so grateful to my fellow trustees and all the other very generous donors who have helped us achieve this most recent and significant accomplishment in SCCF’s 54-year history of land acquisition.”
After the initial restoration, community improvements will be designed on the front three acres of the property, along the 525 feet of Periwinkle perimeter. The improvements include a 1,000-foot loop trail connected to Sanibel’s shared-use path at two points, a welcome plaza with a bike rack and water bottle refill station, pollinator and sculpture gardens, and a demonstration marsh highlighting the importance of water quality within Sanibel’s freshwater wetlands.
The SCCF will begin the work upon closing on the property and hopes to complete the improvements and open the preserve’s front section to the public within a two-year timeframe.