News Release

Sept. 27, 2007

Sanibel completes planting of 48,000 native trees, shrubs and plants

Today, the City of Sanibel announced the completion of the 2007 Hurricane Recovery Planting Projects along city roadways and at municipal beach parks.

Over the past two summers during rainy season, the City has installed 48,000 native trees, shrubs and plants to replace extensive vegetation destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane Charley.

“ Restoration of the native vegetation lost in the Hurricanes has been a goal we have pursued diligently these past 36 months,” said Sanibel City Manager Judie Zimomra. “It is particularly rewarding that this significant environmental achievement has been funded through our aggressive pursuit of grants and in partnership with the private sector.”

Along Periwinkle Way and nearby roadways, more than 3,000 native trees consisting of 23 species have been planted. The Periwinkle Way Restoration project is being completed in conjunction with the private sector through the non-profit Sanibel Beatification Inc. The cost of 80 percent of these trees was funded through a grant from the State of Florida’s Department of Agriculture and the Consumer Service’s Division of Forestry Urban and Community Forestry Program. Sanibel Beatification Inc. generously contributed 20 percent.

In time, these native plantings will restore the tree canopy and shade along the city’s roads and shared-use pathways that existed prior to Hurricane Charley. The trees were planted close together to mimic the natural growth pattern of the native West Indian hardwood hammock forest to reduce the risk of wind damage during storms and to encourage the spread of the trees’ canopy.

In 2005, the city initiated the program to restore native plant communities in all of Sanibel’s beach parks, which were hard hit by Hurricane Charley. This 90-percent grant-funded project involved the planting of more than 45,000 native trees, shrubs and plants consisting of 72 various species at Lighthouse Beach Park, Gulfside City Park (Algier’s), Bowman’s Beach Park, and the Sanibel Public Boat Ramp and Causeway.

At Bowman’s Beach Park alone, more than 27,000 plants have been installed to restore the native mangrove, beach dune, coastal scrub, salt marsh and West Indian tropical hardwood hammock forest habitats. This project was funded through multiple grants, including funds from the Lee County Tourist Development Council, the State Wildlife Grants Program, the State Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to the City of Sanibel Department of Natural Resources, the survivability rate of the trees and shrubs the city planted in 2006 is an extraordinary 97 percent to date.

Contact:
City of Sanibel
Judie Zimomra, City Manager
James Evans, Natural Resources Department
(239) 472-3700