As part of the United Way Day of Action 2023, over 75 volunteers helped SCCF’s Coastal Watch clean a small SCCF preserve along a high-traffic road in Fort Myers. 

The June 15 cleanup was a messy and grueling process that included removing the large, scattered hurricane debris from the preserve, located on McGregor Boulevard. SCCF acquired the land to conserve its valuable black mangrove habitat.

“As our region continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, our volunteer needs continue as well,” said Jeannine Joy, President and CEO of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, in a news release. “Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation protects and cares for more than 2,000 acres of land on Sanibel and surrounding islands, and this Day of Action is an opportune time to pitch in and continue the hard work of restoring this coastal ecosystem and natural habitat that makes Southwest Florida so special.”

Special thanks to United Way, the City of Sanibel, and Bimini Bait Shack for making this event possible. 

“We were able to make a huge dent in the restoration process, and it could not have happened without the dedicated volunteers putting their blood, sweat, and some tears into the cleanup effort,” said SCCF Coastal Watch Director Kealy McNeal.