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William and Ruth Brooks Nature Trail Loops to Reopen in 2025
With one loop of the recently renamed William and Ruth Brooks Nature Trails in the Erick Lindblad Preserve currently open, SCCF’s habitat management team is working to reopen two more loops in 2025.
Located behind SCCF’s headquarters (HQ) building off Sanibel Captiva Road, the trails were severely damaged by Hurricane Ian, which destroyed boardwalks and took down many trees.
The open trail, which can be accessed through the parking lot to the right of HQ, traverses around a section of the Spartina marsh to form a loop.
“The open hours of this trail are from dawn to dusk daily, for hiking only. We do not allow dogs or bikes through this area due to the sensitive habitats and wildlife in this secluded area,” said Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz.
Another loop to be opened later this year is the former Sabal Palm trail that leads out to Alligator Hole and High Ridge Trail that traverse to the west. Both are currently being cleared.
“When it is complete, this will form a second loop for hiking. After clearing, signage and some landscaping will be needed before this loop opens. Parts of this loop traverse some low areas that will only be accessible during the dry season without getting wet, but most of it is on a ridge,” said Lechowicz.
Finally, the last loop to be cleared and opened will be the section of the William and Ruth Brooks Nature Trails formerly known as the East River Trail.
“This trail was very special as much of it bordered a secluded section of the Sanibel River and went through a natural buttonwood forest (Conocarpus erectus). This trail will also meander through low areas to form a loop, and those sections will only be fully accessible during the dry season without walking in water.”
Boardwalks that were lost during Ian will be replaced before these other trails are reopened. Also, these trails will only be accessible from the SCCF headquarters parking lot until the new trail entrance on the east side of the HQ building is complete.
At that time, the parking lot trail entrance will be permanently closed.
Public announcements of the opening of each loop section will be made when they are ready.