News Release – For Immediate Release

City of Sanibel

April 10, 2008

Contact:  Judie Zimomra, City Manager

Robert Loflin, Natural Resources Department

                (239) 472-3700

SANIBEL COMPLETES PERIWINKLE WAY CORRIDOR TREE CANOPY RESTORATION PROJECT

Today, the City of Sanibel submitted the final reimbursement request to the State Department of Forestry to fund the 2006-2007 Periwinkle Way Corridor Tree Canopy Restoration Project along many of the major City roadways. Over the past two summers, during rainy season, the City has installed 3,096 native trees of 23 species to restore the roadside canopy destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane Charlie. Funding for this project was provided by the USDA Forest Service through the Florida Division of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program with a local match from the City and Sanibel Beautification, Inc.

“Restoration of the native vegetation lost in the Hurricanes has been a goal we have pursued diligently since Hurricane Charlie,” stated Sanibel City Manager Judie Zimomra.  She further stated, “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.”

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.  These trees have been 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 also hard hit by Hurricane Charley.  This 90%, grant funded project, involved the planting of over 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 properties.

At Bowman’s Beach Park alone, over 27,000 plants have been installed to restore the native beach dune, coastal scrub, West Indian tropical hardwood hammock, salt marsh and mangrove 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 to date is an extraordinary 96%.

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