You may have noticed one of the many SCCF preserve signs while driving around the islands. SCCF owns more than 1,900 acres across Sanibel, Captiva, and the surrounding watershed, and protects and also manages an additional 300+ acres of preserve lands.

Most of these lands are closed to the public to safeguard sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. From habitats that support rare and endangered species to fragile ecological zones, these protected areas play a critical role in sustaining the islands’ unique plants and animals.

SCCF also maintains seven preserves that are open for public enjoyment. Spanning iconic wetlands and upland hammocks, these areas feature trails that showcase the islands’ diverse habitats.

To make it easier to explore these places, we recently launched a new interactive preserve map. This tool helps visitors locate open preserves while also raising awareness about those that remain closed for conservation purposes.

Each preserve listing includes key details such as its status (open or closed), year of acquisition, size, previous ownership, and the type of ecosystem it protects. Users can also filter the map by acquisition timeframe or ecosystem type, making it easier to explore and better understand SCCF’s conservation efforts.

We hope you find this new map informative and useful. For the best experience, we recommend viewing it on a device with a larger screen, such as a computer or tablet. While it is accessible on mobile devices, some features will be limited due to screen size.

The map is available on the preserve page of our website:
SCCF Preserve Page