In partnership with SCCF and with the help of dozens of volunteers, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum installed over 800 plants of native vegetation and grasses. Museum volunteers along with members of the Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, FISH, and Florida Gulf Coast University dedicated two days of hard work to help in the restoration.

SCCF guided the project by creating the landscaping plan, determining the appropriate native species, and supervising the installation.

“Restoring Sanibel’s unique wetland habitat is critical to the health of our island’s ecosystems,” said SCCF Adult Education Director Jenny Evans, SCCF’s Adult Education Director. “We’re so happy to partner with the National Shell Museum in making sure that the property is supportive of the plants and animals that call the island home, and we can’t wait to see everything grow and flourish.”

“We’re glad to have the Museum’s surrounding landscape on the road to recovery and grateful to SCCF for the guidance and our intrepid volunteers for enduring the heat to get this done,’’ said National Shell Museum Executive Director Sam Ankerson.

The National Shell Museum is currently closed for reconstruction following the impacts of Hurricane Ian. Its re-opening will be phased, with the goal of restoring the Living Gallery of aquariums, lobby, and Museum Store by the end of 2023.