Program Background
Mangroves are an integral part of our environment. They are a vital source of energy, provide a nursery habitat for juvenile fish, a nesting habitat for wading birds, stabilize shorelines by reducing erosion, provide water quality management, and are a buffer against storm damage. Many people are familiar with these iconic trees, but few may understand how tightly linked they are to the marine ecosystem in Southwest Florida.
Coastal Watch's goal with this program is to teach the value of mangroves on our islands through community involvement. Through this education initiative, “Adopt-A-Mangrove,” Coastal Watch is inviting you to “adopt” their own mangrove to nurture at their homes or offices.
Our goal for our participants and community is to instill a deeper understanding and appreciation of mangroves in Southwest Florida. We’re inviting your organization to participate!
We Need You!
Coastal Watch Director, Kealy Pfau, emphasizes the importance of this initiative:
"It's undeniable that mangroves played a crucial role in protecting Sanibel during Hurricane Ian, and unfortunately, several mangroves throughout the area were lost and need to be restored. The Adopt-A-Mangrove program is just the beginning of the process to restore our shorelines."
Join us in preserving the beauty of Sanibel's coastlines – one mangrove at a time.
Upcoming Events
We are thrilled to offer exclusive mangrove planting opportunities for VCB partners for the following dates: Apr. 27, 29, and May 1. Participants will plant the mangroves they raised at one of our restoration sites. Click on one of the links to sign up for a planting date!
