(Author’s Note: This is the twentieth in a series of articles by members of the City of Sanibel Vegetation Committee dealing with vegetative matters of concern to island residents. Members of the Vegetation Committee are Sanibel residents appointed by City Council for one-year terms. To be considered for appointment, contact the City Manager’s Office at (239) 472-3700.)
Sanibel is fortunate to have an abundance of lush vegetation, and because of this, seasonal and full-time residents frequently need help with maintaining “the look” we all enjoy! This article will help to answer some frequently asked questions regarding landscaping and landscaper selection.
Why do we have vegetation standards and requirements on Sanibel? The purpose is easy to explain! “To preserve and protect vegetation from improper planting, transplanting, removing, pruning, trimming or damage or destruction”, as stated in the City of Sanibel’s Vegetation Standards. The retention of native plants is part of the Sanibel Plan, which ensures the conservation and protection of our ecosystems and wildlife. The Vegetation Standards require that for new development, the landscape must be at least 75% native plants in three categories: trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. Furthermore, the use of native plants is also encouraged for existing landscape projects.
Why should I hire a licensed contractor? The City requires vegetation contractors working on Sanibel to obtain a vegetation competency card, a certification achieved by passing a written test covering Sanibel’s Vegetation Standards and a field plant identification test. When working on Sanibel there must be at least one licensed landscaper on-site to oversee any type of vegetation work. This helps to ensure compliance with the Vegetation Standards. Hiring a licensed contractor is also important to homeowners because it protects the property owner from potential litigation should an unlicensed vegetation worker be injured while on the job.
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