COASTE | COMMUNITY
Throughout the years, Sam and Francis Bailey played the roles of the island’s “first family” naturally, gracefully and generously. But time marches on, and in June, 2010 the 86-year-old Sam died of natural causes. It was then that Francis
campaign developed. Because the property remained private, no tours could be given. Instead, SCCF took to public gatherings, private meetings and media relations to spread the important word on the value of the Bailey homestead to Sanibel’s way of life.
continued the family legacy of community first, and offered Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) right of first refusal for the Bailey home’s 28 acres. The price? An amazing $4 million for property worth tens of millions more if developed. The catch? The Foundation had one year to raise the funds.
“When we looked at a map of the island, we realized that with the purchase of this land, wildlife would literally have an open corridor along the bayside to migrate — from the Chamber of Commerce area to the eastern edge of Ding Darling National Wildlife
Refuge — with only two quiet streets to cross. It was the missing piece and our motivation. Our mission is the preservation of coastal habitats and aquatic resources, and that was our push, not to mention as preserved land goes up, flood insurance goes down.” But the Bailey homestead was challenged by a variety of non-native invasive plant species — so in order to bring the property to a level both accessible
“There would have been room for 36 houses on that property,” says Kristie Anders, education director for SCCF for the past 28 years. “This would have absolutely gone public if we hadn’t raised the money.” Quickly then, under the leadership of SCCF executive director Erick Lindblad and legacy coordinator Cheryl Giattini, a true grass roots
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