Some 25 years ago the Calusa Land Trust, Pine Island’s all-volunteer land conservancy, raised needed operational funds by routing names/memorials/captions on wooden planks in exchange for tax deductible donations.

The slabs were placed on the boardwalk and benches along the St. Jude Nature Trail in St. James City. Hurricanes Ian and Milton have caused extensive damage to these structures for which CLT is now incurring the nearly $100,000 expense for restoration.

To help defer these costs the “plunk-a-plank” fundraising campaign has been re-established. This time the planks consist of a composite material rather than mere wood and they will be displayed along the protected beams of the three tiki huts at the St. James Creek Preserve.

The cost is $100 and for more details, contact John Kendall at 239-283-8175 or john@calusalandtrust.org or donate online.