provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation has announced the upcoming construction of Ruth Brooks Propagation Facility at the Bailey Homestead Preserve, which was generously funded with the help of the Brooks family. The facility will allow the nurturing of the next generation of native plants, particularly species that are not commercially grown, are rare, or at risk of extinction.
The Ruth Brooks Propagation Facility honors one of SCCF’s most dedicated supporters, a true naturalist and advocate for the botanical world. A seasonal island resident since 2004, Ruth is a SCCF Weeds ‘n’ Seeds leader, City of Sanibel Vegetation Advisory Committee member, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge volunteer, and decades-long SCCF supporter.
Plans for the facility are currently under permit review. “We are truly excited by the prospect of the Ruth Brooks Propagation Facility. It will allow our Native Landscapes & Garden Center staff to grow and care for more native plants, be more efficient in our operations, and help to get more native plants out into the landscape,” SCCF Adult Education Director Jenny Evans said.
Construction of the facility will increase the Native Landscape & Garden Center’s plant-growing capacity by almost 30 percent. Additionally, rare and significant species will be targeted for propagation efforts. Of the 3,300 plant species native to Florida, only about 600 are currently in cultivation and available for habitat restoration and home landscapes. The new facility will help to improve that ratio.
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