Girls from five troops in Collier County planted dozens of mangroves along the Sanibel coastline, earning the Girl Scout Tree Promise Patch.

A year after the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian on the local mangrove population, the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Service Unit Collier 13 have come together to make a significant difference in the restoration of Sanibel’s coastline. Following the hurricane’s destruction, dedicated Girl Scouts from Troops 791, 255, 440, 426, and 502 enthusiastically hosted mangrove seedlings, nurturing them back to health.

The success of this project is a testament to the dedication and passion of the Girl Scouts involved and highlights the impact of community engagement in environmental conservation. “Together, these girls have made a difference [and] earned the Girl Scout Tree Promise patch,” said GSGCF volunteer Patricia Nye-Schmitz.

In October, the Girl Scouts had the opportunity to return these mangroves to Sanibel, contributing to the restoration efforts and earning the prestigious Girl Scout Tree Promise patch in the process. Through taking the Girl Scout Tree Promise, girls all over the world have pledged to take 5 million actions to address climate change by planting, protecting, and honoring trees to support wildlife conservation and ease the negative effects of climate change. 

In response to the urgent need for mangrove restoration, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) issued a call for help in January. The initiative, known as “Mangrove Mama’s,” allowed community members to host mangrove seedlings, nurturing them until they were strong enough to be planted along the coastline. SCCF provided the seedlings for this noble cause.

On October 7, a planting event was specifically arranged for the Girl Scouts to plant the mangroves they had nurtured through SCCF’s Adopt-A-Mangrove program. Kealy McNeal, the Conservation Initiative Coordinator at SCCF, mentioned that the girls planted these young mangroves along the Woodring Rd. shoreline on the bayside of Sanibel.

The enthusiastic response from Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Service Unit Collier 13 has highlighted the power of community action in the face of environmental challenges. The Troops, through their diligent care and dedication, have not only helped the mangroves recover but have also earned the Girl Scout Tree Promise patch, a testament to their commitment to environmental conservation.

The girls’ efforts not only contribute to the restoration of Sanibel’s coastline, but also serve as an inspiration for others to join the cause.