To honor the City of Sanibel’s 50th anniversary on Nov. 5, 1974, SCCF is sharing stories throughout the year to celebrate and chronicle our community’s incredible commitment to conservation.
A Community Committed to Conservation
The story of Sanibel and Captiva’s amazing legacy of conservation begins with what makes these islands unique and how much islanders have dedicated themselves to preserving them for nearly a century.
Without the deliberate and thoughtful intentions of countless islanders and visitors, our chain of barrier islands could have been paved over with a coastal highway and high-rises.
SCCF Created at a Critical Time for Island's Future
The 1960s marked a major turning point for Sanibel and Captiva amid significant threats to the Sanctuary Islands from traffic, development, and the destruction of vital natural habitats. Major factors included the opening of the causeway and the availability of potable water.
On Oct. 31, 1967, The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) was incorporated.
Islanders Take Control of Their Destiny
The Sanibel Causeway and drinkable water literally opened Sanibel and Captiva up to become the next Miami Beach — Lee County’s plans included a 4-lane coastal highway that would cut through refuge lands, and dense highrise, urban development.
In fall of 1973, amid intense development activity, islanders were driven to pursue home rule.
SCCF has always stood strong in its commitment to the residents of Sanibel and Captiva to protect the special nature of our islands.
Sanibel Vision Statement
Sanibel is and shall remain a barrier island sanctuary, one in which a diverse population lives in harmony with the islands’ wildlife and natural habitats. The Sanibel community must be vigilant in the protection and enhancement of its sanctuary characteristics.
Captiva Community Plan
The goal of the Captiva Community Plan is to protect the coastal barrier island community’s natural resources such as beaches, waterways, wildlife, vegetation, water quality, dark skies and history. This goal will be achieved through environmental protections and land use regulations that preserve shoreline and natural habitats, enhance water quality, encourage the use of native vegetation, maintain the mangrove fringe, limit noise, light, water, and air pollution, create mixed-use development of traditionally commercial properties, and enforce development standards that maintain one and two story building heights and the historic low-density residential development pattern of Captiva.