Island students to plant mangroves for habitat restoration
The Sanibel School’s eighth-graders will plant mangroves at a local restoration site on May 12.
Determined to rebuild their shorelines, the students will plant approximately 200 mangroves — some of which were part of a year-long study started before Hurricane Ian — as part of a project led by Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation environmental educator Richard Finkel.
“After the hurricane, many mangroves were wiped out by the strong storm surge, which has affected the ecosystem greatly,” eighth-grader Siena Young said. “Mangroves are home to many animals like egrets, herons, crabs, snails, and spoonbills. Mangroves’ tangled roots also work as a barrier to protect coastlines from flooding.”
Finkel will accompany the students at the site along Woodring Road on Sanibel as they work hard to make a difference for the island’s environment.
“By planting new mangroves, we hope to provide homes for many organisms, restore damaged beaches, and protect Sanibel from future storms,” eighth-grader Emma Knight said.
Those interested in assisting with future habitat restoration projects can contact Coastal Watch Director Kealy McNeal at kmcneal@sccf.org. Part of the SCCF family, Coastal Watch creates and implements conservation initiatives that promote and improve the future of marine resources and coastal heritage.
Olivia Kauffold and Samantha Wells are eighth-grade students at The Sanibel School.