SCCF The areas along McGregor Boulevard shaded in blue have been purchased by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. The parcels all contain mangrove forest.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation recently acquired three off-island properties on McGregor Boulevard near the Sanibel Causeway of environmental importance. A total of over 25 acres, all three contain mangrove forest with or immediately adjacent to tidally influenced waterways.

“SCCF’s land acquisition and preservation efforts off-island enhance and expand our impact on restoring coastal ecosystems in the region,” Chief Executive Officer Ryan Orgera said. “The more land we can preserve, the better off the whole system will be.”

The estuarine habitat, including mudflats and salt flats, is important to shorebird species, diamondback terrapins, smalltooth sawfish and invertebrate species, including crustaceans and mollusks.

The purchase marks the first time that monies have been used for this purpose from SCCF’s Land Acquisition and Improvement Fund. Created last year with a gift from an anonymous supporter, the fund enables the SCCF to acquire environmentally-sensitive wildlife habitat for preservation. It may also be used to optimize the quality of the habitat through restoration, rewilding and maintenance.

Along the boulevard there are several exotic species, such as Brazilian pepper, melaleuca and Australian pine, that will be treated or removed so native vegetation can become the dominant species. The buffer along the road will continue to serve as a terrestrial wildlife corridor during high tides.

To donate to the fund, contact SCCF Development Director Cheryl Giattini at cgiattini@sccf.org or 239-822-6121.