provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Residents of Southwest Florida know all too well the enormous personal, environmental, and economic toll major storms can take. On a positive note, recent headlines emphasize how mangroves offer a significant defense against costly hurricane damage, saving millions of dollars. Sanibel and Captiva are among the coastal communities that benefit from mangrove buffer zones – all the more reason to rebuild our protective mangrove forests and keep them healthy.
Fortunately, help is at hand. All are invited to learn more during a COTI Conversation on Sunday, November 9, at 4 p.m., when
The program will be in the Founders” Room at The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel. Refreshments will be served. Members and nonmembers are invited, 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 under way 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. Restoration is not just ecological rehabilitation; it is an investment in a living infrastructure critical to the sustainability and defense of Sanibel Island.”
The November 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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