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William and Ruth Brooks Nature Trail Now Open
Thanks to a generous donation from William and Ruth Brooks, a half-mile loop trail is now open to the public behind SCCF headquarters.
Funding provided by the Brooks allowed contractors to be hired to expedite the removal of extensive debris, fallen trees, and other trail clearing needed following damage from three hurricanes.
Formerly known as the Sanibel Slough Trails, the 4-mile trail system behind SCCF’s headquarters on San-Cap Road is now known as the William and Ruth Brooks Nature Trail to honor their donation. Seasonal island residents since 2004, the Brooks are decades-long supporters of SCCF and avid volunteers.
The open loop of the trail begins at a trailhead in the parking lot to the right of SCCF’s headquarters. It passes through areas historically part of the freshwater wetland ecosystem that is recovering from a series of hurricanes and storm surges over the last few years.
It also meanders along a small portion of the Sanibel Slough. It offers opportunities to observe wildlife in the trees, grasses, and water, so be sure to bring a camera and keep your eyes open for butterflies, turtles and tortoises, mammals, and, of course, a variety of bird species.
The remainder of the trail will be reopened in phases as restoration work is completed.
With the opening of this trail, as well as the Puschel Preserve, all trails at SCCF’s seven preserves that are open to the public have now reopened post-hurricanes. They are all open dawn to dusk.