This Thursday, Feb. 19, the City of Sanibel will host its first community workshop regarding updates to the Sanibel Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sanibel Community House, and your participation is important.
Based on The Sanibel Report — an in-depth natural systems analysis that identified the barrier island’s carrying capacity and was commissioned by SCCF — the Sanibel Plan is the island’s guiding comprehensive planning document. It informs land-use decisions, protects natural habitats, and preserves the qualities that make Sanibel unique.

For decades, the Sanibel Plan has set Sanibel apart by prioritizing conservation and recognizing the island first and foremost as a barrier island sanctuary.

Preserving Our Sanctuary Island

Recent conversations have included proposals to elevate “community” as equal to or ranked above “sanctuary” within the Plan’s hierarchy of values. We believe it is important to preserve the long-standing framework that places sanctuary at the top, recognizing that protecting our natural systems is the foundation that supports our quality of life, our wildlife, and our tourism-based economy on Sanibel.

“The idea of community is not at odds with the value of sanctuary, it is in fact bolstered by it,” said SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis. “The community of Sanibel is stronger because of our relationship with nature. By building on the foundation of our sanctuary-first island, we can continue to rebuild our community in a way that will ensure Sanibel will persist into the future as a bastion for all who seek its sanctuary — whether they crawl, swim, fly, or drive.”

We hope you will join the conversation on Thursday and make your voice heard.

Workshop Structure

The workshop will focus on gathering information from residents to identify future and current challenges and opportunities facing the community. It will include:

• A brief project overview presentation
• Live poll session gathering feedback
• Topic stations around the room for in-depth discussions

Can’t make it in person? The workshop will also be livestreamed on the City of Sanibel Facebook page.

SCCF also encourages you to submit your comments to sanplanupdate@mysanibel.com.