Preserves

SCCF has seven preserves that are open to the public. From iconic interior wetlands to upland hammocks, they offer trails where you can experience diverse habitats. Some preserves can be accessed by bike, while others are limited to foot traffic to help protect our wildlife. We invite you to explore each one and enjoy what makes our island unique.

In keeping with the ethos of our Sanctuary Island, most of our preserve lands are closed to the public to protect ecologically sensitive features and wildlife. Whether habitat for rare and endangered species or delicate ecological areas, our closed preserves ensure the survival of unique plants and animals on the islands.

Map of SCCF's Preserves and Properties

Click on a marker to learn more

Pick Preserve

PICK PRESERVE

Status: Open to public
Year Acquired:
 1994
Size: 26 Acres
Previous Owner: BeGraft

The Pick Preserve was purchased by SCCF in 1995 and is a vital link within the surrounding preserved lands enhancing the function of interior freshwater habitats, such as spartina marsh and upland hardwood hammock communities.

In the spring of 2000, through a grant from The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, an educational nature trail and screened-in teaching shelter were installed in the preserve. The Sanibel School is located directly across the street from The Pick Preserve, making it an ideal setting for environmental-based field trips.

Kindergarteners through eighth graders take part in experiential learning through the use of this outdoor classroom.

Erick Lindblad Preserve

ERICK LINDBLAD PRESERVE: TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Year Acquired: 1978
Status: Temporarily inaccessible
Size: 212 Acres
Previous Owner: Green, Bailey, Finger, Newman

The Erick Lindblad Preserve comprises 212 acres behind SCCF's Nature Center (3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road).

Acquired over the years 1971-1984, the lands that became the Nature Center protect a core component of the Sanibel River and the unique interior freshwater wetland. The Lindblad Preserve encompasses the Sanibel River, uplands, and a seasonal freshwater wetland — a unique feature for a barrier island.

Our trail system will let you experience it all.

Frannie's Preserve

FRANNIE'S PRESERVE

frannie's preserve

Status: Closed to the Public
Year Acquired: 1999
Previous Owner: Trostt

Bailey Homestead Preserve

BAILEY HOMESTEAD PRESERVE

bailey homestead preserve shipley trail

Status: Open to public
Size: 28 Acres
Year Acquired: 2011
Previous Owner: Bailey

Home of the Native Landscapes & Garden Center, the Bailey Homestead Preserve is one of SCCF's most well-visited public preserves. 

The front 9 acres running along Periwinkle Way are open to the public, with the Shipley Trail, our retail garden center, and the historic Bailey home, which is closed to the public other than for special events.

The remaining 19 acres are for the benefit of wildlife on Sanibel, creating a wildlife corridor. Call 239-472-1932 with any questions.

Bailey Homestead Preserve

BIRD HOUSE & BAY DRIVE PRESERVES

Status: Closed to public
Year Acquired: 2012, 1986
Previous Owners: Sanger, Gigstad and Dormer

Sanibel Gardens

SANIBEL GARDENS

Status: Open to the public
Year Acquired: 
1987
Size: 61 acres

Part of a larger 265 acre preserve in the center of the island's interior freshwater wetlands was originally platted in the 1920s as the Sanibel Gardens/Tarpon Bay Subdivisions.

In the early 1970s, SCCF began acquiring the key properties along the Sanibel River corridor, totaling 61 acres. In 1987, the City of Sanibel began acquisition of the remaining properties, which was completed in 2003.

Restoration efforts including removal of Australian pines and Brazilian pepper, backfilling mosquito ditches, removal of fill roads, and reconnection of the Sanibel River occurred from 2001-2003.

This preserve is dedicated to the citizens of Sanibel and their foresight in protecting and restoring these rare barrier island freshwater wetlands.

Periwinkle Preserve

PERIWINKLE PRESERVE

Status: Open to the public
Year Acquired: 2001
Previous Owner: Ricciani and Haywood

Located on Periwinkle Way and can be accessed by foot or bike. This preserve comprises approximately 7 acres of tropical hardwood hammock.

Since the removal of Australian pine after Hurricane Charley in 2004, over 5,000 trees and shrubs have been planted. In time, the hammock area will provide a haven for wintering and migratory songbirds. A trail winds through this area and provides the opportunity to see many uncommon species of tropical plants and the bird life they attract.

Look for the gazebo, which is across the street (and a little to the west) from Sanibel Community Church.

Bob Wigley Preserve

BOB WIGLEY PRESERVE

Status: Open to the public
Year Acquired:
2009
Previous Owner: DeVorin

This preserve is named in honor of Bob Wigley, a beloved islander known for his quiet and generous support of local causes. One short trail leads to a gazebo, and a second leads to an overlook on the Sanibel River.

Its purchase by SCCF in 2007 completed the acquisition of 6.5 miles of land along the Sanibel River corridor. This preserve consists of three tracts — the Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Tract, the John and Mary Jo Boler Family Tract, and the Pete & Pat Allen Family Tract — and was dedicated in 2009.

The Bob Wigley Preserve is accessible by foot or on bike on Casa Ybel Road.

Blue Skies Preserve

BLUE SKIES PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired:
2001
Previous Owner: Hendry and Armstrong

Buck Key

BUCK KEY

Status: Open to the public, managed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Year Acquired:
1983

In the mid-1970s, SCCF began the effort to preserve 335-acre Buck
Key, the largest uninhabited island in Pine Island Sound. In 1978, SCCF worked to persuade the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
to buy Buck Key. SCCF’s efforts with owner Elena Duke Benedict led to a donation of 194
acres to be named the Benedict Wildlife Sanctuary and deeded to the USFWS. 

Only 10 acres remain in private hands. 

 

York and Coconut Islands

YORK AND COCONUT ISLANDS

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired:
1998
Previous Owner: Masco

Long Cut Preserve

LONG CUT PRESERVE 

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 
2000
Previous Owner: Hendry

McGregor Preserve

MCGREGOR PRESERVE 

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 
2021
Previous Owner: L. Phillip Gaspe

MacKeever Keys Preserve

MACKEEVER KEYS PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 
2023
Previous Owner: Kathleen Hecksher

Dunes Preserve

DUNES PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired:
1984
Previous Owner:
Mariner Corp.

Dixie Beach Preserve

DIXIE BEACH PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired:
1988-1997
Previous Owners:
Connor, Key Trust Company of Florida

West Sanibel River Preserve

WEST SANIBEL RIVER PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1985
Previous Owners: Konrad, Condra, Dewitt, Sebok

Gulf Ridge & Seaspray Preserves

GULF RIDGE & SEASPRAY PRESERVES

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1980s
Previous Owners: San-Ridge Inc., Coastal Development Corp.

Lane & Gopher Walk Preserves

LANE & GOPHER WALK PRESERVES

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1990
Previous Owners: May and Lane, Paulsen

Wulfert Eagle Buffer

WULFERT EAGLE BUFFER

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1993
Previous Owners: Sanctuary Residential Properties Ltd.

Walker Preserve

WALKER PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1994
Previous Owners: Dr. Walter, Elaine Walker

Mitchell Preserve

MITCHELL PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1973
Previous Owners: Mitchell

East Rocks & Sea Oats Preserves

EAST ROCKS & SEA OATS PRESERVES

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1979-1981
Previous Owners: Sanibel Properties, Bancroft, City of Sanibel

Sawgrass Tract

SAWGRASS TRACT

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1990
Previous Owner: Hushka

C.R. Johnston & Highlands Preserves

C.R. JOHNSTON & SANIBEL HIGHLANDS PRESERVES

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1987-1991
Previous Owners: Johnston, Sawbridge

Algiers Preserve

ALGIERS PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1983
Previous Owners: Dayton

Dayton Preserve

DAYTON PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1983
Previous Owners: Dodrill

Patterson Island Preserve

PATTERSON ISLAND PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1983
Previous Owner: Patterson
Size: 47 acres

Albright Island Preserve

ALBRIGHT ISLAND PRESERVE

Status: Closed to the public
Year Acquired: 1990
Previous Owner: Princeton University
Size: 14 acres

Public Preserves

Preserves 9115

Erick Lindblad Preserve: Temporarily Closed

212 acres behind SCCF's Nature Center including a seasonal freshwater wetland. This preserve is temporarily inaccessible due to Hurricane Ian damage. 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Sanibel Gardens Preserve

A key property along the Sanibel River corridor, totaling 61 acres

SCA16493 HDR

Periwinkle Preserve

Comprises approximately 7 acres of tropical hardwood hammock

Devitt Pond On Shipley Trail

Bailey Homestead Preserve

Includes the Shipley Trail and our retail garden center

Pick Preserve 0831

Pick Preserve

Includes an educational nature trail and a screened-in teaching and learning shelter

Bob Wigley 0764

Bob Wigley Preserve

Preserve with two short trails along the Sanibel River corridor

Puschel 12 Acres

Puschel Preserve: Temporarily Closed

The acquisition of the Puschel Preserve was the last piece in creating a significant wildlife corridor along the Sanibel River. This site is currently undergoing restoration.

Preserve News

Visit here for ongoing updates on the re-opening of our preserves and habitat restoration.