SCCF: Restoration of preserve lands a top priority
Anyone who travels on Sanibel-Captiva Road these days notices dead vegetation, especially near at the curve by American Legion Post 123 on Sanibel, where cabbage palms are in the process of removal from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge lands.
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that it has been receiving calls and concerns about the trees and would like to take the opportunity to explain how it is continuing to restore its preserve lands in these unprecedented post-hurricane times on the island. As the largest private landowner on Sanibel, it is responsible for maintaining more than 1,800 acres of land.
Since September of 2022, habitat restoration efforts on the SCCF’s conservation lands have been focused on dead vegetation removal. The efforts became even more challenging in the fall. The severe storm surge from Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton caused a tremendous amount of damage to the less salt-tolerant plant life on the conservation lands due to saltwater inundation for extended periods of time.
Some of the vegetation died immediately, but others took longer to finally succumb, such as gumbo limbo. After Ian, state-funded contractors worked on city and several SCCF properties in January of 2023 to remove dead vegetation before the state funding ran out in the spring of 2023.
The SCCF reported that it funded private contractors to continue to remove dead vegetation from its Gulf Ridge, Sea Spray and West Sanibel River preserves. In September, additional saltwater intrusion from Helene and Milton caused many trees that were on the edge of survival from Ian to perish.
The SCCF continues to fund and work with private contractors to remove the remaining dead vegetation from its conservation lands to minimize the wildfire hazard and give newly sprouted native vegetation a better chance to grow, so the wildlife habitats can recover. Also, the SCCF’s Coastal Watch continues to organize volunteer-driven clean-ups and plantings of the preserves.
All of the efforts will improve the appearance along the roadways to support the residential communities and tourism-based economy. The SCCF noted that it has not treated or removed live native trees, such as cabbage palms, in the recovery phase.
The only exception is the removal of live invasive exotic vegetation, such as Brazilian pepper, Australian pines and climbing cassia, encountered during the removal of dead vegetation.
“SCCF stands with our community during the recovery from the recent storm events and is working diligently to improve the function and appearance of our conservation lands,” it reported. “These actions are time-consuming and costly and are prioritized by risk. SCCF’s priorities are to provide natural habitat for wildlife and ensure the safety of Sanibel’s residents and visitors adjacent to our properties.”
For questions or concerns about the restoration of natural areas after the recent hurricanes, contact SCCF Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz at clechowicz@SCCF.org.