SANCAP RESILIENCE
\nFrom left, Bob Moore, Jenny Evans and Leigh Gevelinger.<\/p>\n
SanCap Resilience will host its next community program of the season, \u201cBuilt to Last: Working with Nature to Design a Resilient Landscape,\u201d on April 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel.<\/p>\n
It will feature local experts with time-tested knowledge of which plants and designs will increase the likelihood of one\u2019s landscape surviving future storms and surge events.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our recent community survey, learning how to design a resilient landscape was one of the most requested topics \u2014 second only to protecting property from flood waters,\u201d Steering Committee Chair Bob Moore said. \u201cFortunately, we have great, local expertise to help us address this challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The presenters for the program will include Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Native Landscapes and Adult Education Director Jenny Evans and Leigh Gevelinger, founder and lead landscape architect of Coastal Vista Design. Moore will introduce the program.<\/p>\n
It will start with context about how to make nature work in one\u2019s favor when designing a landscape.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiving on a subtropical barrier island, we have unique ecosystems that need to be considered,\u201d Evans said. \u201cDepending on where you live on the island, you\u2019ll have different opportunities and challenges for creating a beautiful and sustainable landscape. The trick is to make choices that put nature to work in your favor versus trying to work against nature to achieve a certain aesthetic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program will then turn to real-world case studies. Gevelinger will review examples of what worked and what did not in the aftermath of the recent storms, offering homeowners practical solutions to consider when planning their own designs.<\/p>\n
\u201cStorms and storm surge are going to cause damage to landscapes. But if designed properly, damage can be minimized and recovery accelerated,\u201d she said. \u201cBy mimicking natural systems \u2014 for example plant diversity, clustering and intertwining root systems \u2014 landscapes can be made more resilient and designed to be beautiful as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program is free, but registration is required.<\/p>\n
It is made possible by sponsorships from the SCCF and Florida League of Mayors\u2019 City Catalyst Grant.<\/p>\n
To register or for more information, visit https:\/\/bit.ly\/41aGS7i<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n