Discover Nature’s Secrets sounds more like a tag line for a beauty product rather than a fascinating discovery I made on Sanibel Island. My visit to Sanibel Lighthouse on the west coast of Florida truly challenged my sanitized version of Florida beaches.
I was amazed at Sanibel’s tiny shoreline and the abundance of mangroves along the beach. Thinking about the beaches on the east coast of Florida, I realized how commercialized Florida’s beaches had become and how we had marginalized Florida’s natural beauty.
Sanibel to its credit takes its role as custodian of mangroves very seriously. According to their website, the State of Florida has delegated authority to the city of Sanibel for the regulation of the trimming and alteration of mangroves on the island. Notifications to the city of Sanibel are always required before taking any action involving mangroves.
So what’s the big deal about Florida mangroves? Mangroves help protect Florida’s coastline by preventing erosion and absorbing storm surge during hurricanes. They capture carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases. They serve as a habitat and refuge for Florida wildlife. Mangroves provide a habitat for 80 percent of finfish and shellfish sought by commercial and sports fishermen. They improve water quality by filtering out harmful pollutants.
“Mangroves are magical forests where we discover nature’s secrets. They straddle the connection between land and sea and nature and humans. Mangroves nurture our estuaries and nature based economy.”
Voices of Lighthouses 
Thanks for sharing the relevance of efforts to conserve, protect, and enhance our planet’s natural vitality.
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