Friends of the Pines came together in 2006 as an ad hoc group when the City of Sanibel (Florida) Vegetation Committee presented Sanibel City Council with their recommendation to eradicate Australian pines from our sanctuary island. After enduring many years of eco-extremist threats to our beloved pines, we joined forces to fight this ultimate edict of eradication and succeeded in convincing City Council not only to spare our pines, but to enact an Ordinance guaranteeing their protection on private property. Now we hope to help other groups/communities preserve their pines by sharing our successful strategies and materials via this website.