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Welcome to COTI - Committee of the Islands - Sanibel, Florida

COTI seeks to ensure the continuity of good local government, to protect the environment,
and to preserve the sanctuary character of our barrier island community.
PO BOX 88, SANIBEL FL 33957
EMAIL: COTI33957@GMAIL.COM
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At COTI's 2026 Annual Meeting: a talk by Florida Audubon's Executive Director

and announcement of COTI's Person of the Year

More than 160 people registered to attend COTI's annual meeting on Sunday, March 8, when we welcomed Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director of Audubon Florida and Vice President for Florida for the National Audubon Society, for a timely discussion on Florida’s environmental challenges and opportunities. COTI also named John Lai the COTI Citizen of the Year.

You can view the presentation here.
The presentation, "How Nature, Policy, and People Shaped Florida and What Comes Next," was highly engaging and well received. Attendees were encouraged to be engaged in the Florida legislative process by signing up for Audubon newsletter.
You can sign up here.

At the meeting, COTI also announced its 2026 Person of the Year award. This year it went to John Lai, CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce. John was recognized for his outsized role supporting the economic recovery and support to small businesses on the heels of recent hurricanes.

HOLLY SMITH ADDRESSED CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX CHANGES AT OUR JANUARY 18, 2026 COTI CONVERSATION

On Sunday, January 18, COTI hosted a well-attended presentation by Holly Smith, President of the Florida League of Cities and Vice-Mayor of the City of Sanibel, examining efforts by the Governor and State Legislature to reduce or eliminate local property taxes. HERE'S A LINK TO THE VIDEO.

SUCCESSFUL COTI CONVERSATION ADDRESSED RESTORING MANGROVES & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

On November 9, 2025, Skye McDonald-Newman, Community Conservation Coordinator for Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Coastal Watch, offered a lively and informative presentation about mangrove loss and restoration efforts and described how individuals can participate in this process. The sizeable crowd in The Community House was engaged, and followed up the talk with thoughtful questions. Many took home mangrove seedlings to nurture and return to SCCF when the plants have matured further.

Skye McDonald-Newman at the November 2025 COTI Conversation

MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE ATTENDED COTI'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING

& CELEBRATED OUR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

SEE AND HEAR DR. TOM ANKERSEN'S MARCH 30 TALK:
"Shifting Sands and Shifted Baselines: The Once and Future Sanibel Plan"

Before the talk, President Bill Millar announced COTI's 2025 Citizen of the Year: Maria Espinoza. “Maria, as Executive Director of FISH, is not only the heart of that organization,” said Millar; “she is in many ways at the heart of our community." She has worked tirelessly to support the recovery from Hurricane Ian and subsequent storms. She is known for her ability to bring people together, whether it’s collaborating with local and regional organizations, rallying volunteers, or personally ensuring that every person who comes to FISH feels heard and supported. She has been active at both the local and county level, developing inovative programs and strenghening relatiohships with donors, volunteers, and community leaders. She is also activelly involved in local organizations, including Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, and has received multiple awards for her leadership.

COTI'S BOARD

BOARD OF DIRECTOR BIOS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS

The Sanibel Vision.....

To provide a sense of direction for the future, this Vision Statement is a confirmation of the community's shared values and goals, to guide future decisions.
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Making it all work...

Working with you, the residents and friends of Sanibel - and with the city government and other island organizations - COTI endeavors to help keep Sanibel the very special place that it is.
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