The city of Sanibel invites the public to celebrate Arbor Day on Jan. 16 with two programs.
The day will begin with a Native Plant Walk at 9 a.m. at City Hall, hosted by members of the Sanibel Vegetation Committee. The Arbor Day event will be held at 3 p.m. at the Sanibel Recreation Center, where a wild tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum) will be planted in honor of the island’s first responders, recognizing their dedication, courage and service to the community.
The city reported that the wild tamarind is a native, semi-deciduous tree that thrives in Sanibel’s coastal soils. Its fragrant flowers bloom from spring through fall, attracting butterflies such as mimosa yellow, Cassius blue and orange sulphur. The tree also provides habitat and food for birds, small mammals and native snails. Hardy, fast-growing and low maintenance, it serves as a beautiful shade tree.
At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Roots in Resilience, a new citizen-driven initiative focused on restoring and enhancing the island’s vegetative character by reintroducing large, resilient native trees to public roadways and spaces damaged by the recent storms.
Sanibel has observed Arbor Day for 37 years, planting a tree each year to honor a historical figure, local individual or organization and promote the city’s Tree City USA recognition.
For more information, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/DocumentCenter/View/2680/Arbor-Day-2026-Event-Program?bidId=.
City Hall is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.