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Support sought for SCCF

2 min read

An open letter to the communities of Sanibel and Captiva,

As members of SCCF, we have always been amazed and proud at how well the community residents, businesses and property owners on Sanibel and Captiva have responded to land acquisition campaigns. Everyone seems to understand how the Foundation has been essential in creating what we believe is the essence of Sanibel, what makes it different, the “sense of place” we all identify. Sanibel could have been like Marco Island without the early and continued efforts of SCCF.

With the difficult economy, people are very careful with their donations and operating expenses are never as attractive as land purchases. However, we need to look at what else the Conservation Foundation contributes to the community. The children of the island benefit from the many possibilities for environmental education, new residents can learn about all the special characteristics of our island including our walking trails, the Native Plant Nursery, programs on bobcats, alligators and the snowy plover and turtle monitoring programs. SCCF staff and docents inform visitors about the estuary with dolphin tours, programs about the sea grass and special experiences kayaking in our amazing waters. Can we afford to give any of these up?

Our Marine Lab is so important in providing the scientific basis for informing our city, county and state regarding legislation. Also, our habitat management program is always working to restore and maintain preserved lands.

We would ask all those who love Sanibel and Captiva, residents and visitors alike, who perhaps haven’t donated before, to think about us this year and donate to our Annual Fund. We need your help to preserve our programs that keep Sanibel as we all want it to remain.

Martha and Richard Siders

Sanibel