SCCF Coastal Watch’s Adopt-A-Mangrove program was recently featured in the The New York Times. The article, titled “In Florida, ‘Powerful Little Plants’ That Protect From Big Storms” is a part of the Times’ “50 States, 50 Fixes” series. The story highlights our “mangrove mamas” and “propagule papas” who volunteer to raise mangrove propagules in their homes, schools, and workplaces throughout the community.

“A curious trend is underway in Southwest Florida. Young red mangrove trees … are being adopted and raised in backyard gardens, at restaurant host stands, beside bank teller windows and in school classrooms throughout Sanibel Island and the Fort Myers area,” writes author Christina Kelso.

The story highlights not only the importance of mangroves to our shorelines, but the benefit of community involvement to restoration and hurricane recovery efforts. 

“When we started to see some of those areas slowly start to come back with some green leaves, it was such a symbol of resilience that I think the community needed to see,” SCCF Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau told Kelso during their interview last month.