The past three years have brought constant reminders of the devastation Hurricane Ian wrought on our mangrove forests, as well as the importance of mangroves to our coastal resilience.
The damage didn’t begin or end with Ian. Mangroves in Southwest Florida, especially around Sanibel Island, have faced extensive damage from several major storms. Fortunately, help is at hand.
Committee of the Islands invites the community to learn more during a COTI Conversation on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m., when Skye McDonald-Newman, Community Conservation Coordinator for Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Coastal Watch, will offer a presentation about mangrove loss and restoration efforts and describe how individuals can participate in this process.
The program will be in the Founders’ Room at The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way. Refreshments will be available. Members and nonmembers are welcome, and information about the Committee of the Islands and membership will be available.
While admission is free, all who plan to attend this COTI Conversation are asked to email the names of attendees to COTI33957@gmail.com prior to the event.
During the COTI Conversation, McDonald-Newman will cover what’s happening with our island mangroves and the research underway at the SCCF Marine Lab. She will answer the questions, “How are we restoring these lands, and how do we include the community in the process?” There will be time for Q&A following her presentation.
Interested attendees will have the opportunity to directly contribute to mangrove restoration by participating in the “Adopt a Mangrove” program. While supplies last, attendees can take home potted mangrove propagules to care for and then return for planting in the spring.
“Restoration efforts by SCCF Coastal Watch focus on including the Island and surrounding communities in restoration,” McDonald-Newman explains.
“Fostering stewardship through hands-on conservation is a cornerstone of what we do at Coastal Watch. Our restoration strategies are long-term, multi-faceted, and rooted in science and community engagement,” she said. “Restoration is not just ecological rehabilitation; it is an investment in a living infrastructure critical to the sustainability and defense of Sanibel Island.”
Raised between the tidal pools of Upper Captiva and a mountain farm in West Virginia, Skye McDonald-Newman developed an early appreciation for the intersections between land, water, and community. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College and has conducted field research in Panama, Ecuador, and Massachusetts.
She has worked for the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife on Wheels, leading education programs on marine wildlife in Title 1 schools. She now lives on Sanibel.
In her current role at SCCF, she manages the Coastal Watch Mangrove Nursery, leads volunteer events, and does research with the Marine Lab. Her work reflects a long-standing commitment to supporting healthy coastal environments and resilient island communities.
The Nov. 9 program is the first of several events the Committee of the Islands is planning for the coming season. COTI, founded in 1975, seeks to ensure the continuity of good local government, protect the environment, and preserve the sanctuary character of our barrier island community. For more information, visit www.COTI.org.
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