The Man Behind the Land
Dr. Phillip Marks is a retired physician from Southern California who began a new chapter of his life on Sanibel in 2003. His passion for gardening developed on the West Coast with his ever- growing home landscaping, which consisted of exotic plants and romantic red roses. On Sanibel he encountered subtropical temperatures, shell and sand instead of fertile soil like the kind he was accustomed to back in California. Marks had to completely relearn what he knew about gardening. By doing so, his love for the island’s native plants and sustainability bloomed.
“The island is not an accident— all this beautiful vegetation came here and somehow survived and has prospered,” he says.
Now, Marks is one of only three master gardeners on Sanibel and has also been a part of the city’s Planning Commission for nearly 10 years. His position allows him to ensure agriculture is kept in mind during development and that landscapers are aware of invasive exotics and plant- removal laws.
But Marks doesn’t just share his knowledge with builders and developers. He wants everyone on the island to gain a deeper appreciation of the land through the Master Gardener Lecture Series he presents at the Sanibel Library. Every first Thursday of the month from November to April, Marks selects respected authors, University of Florida educators and various environmental professionals to talk about ecology with the public. According to Marks, lectures are consistently at capacity, with close to 100 guests in attendance.
Marks believes plants are just like any other living organism and need care and commitment to survive. To him, it’s vital that all Sanibel residents know how to properly maintain the land, so generations can reap its natural beauty for years to come.
“I’ve always been an advocate of this generational island,” says Marks. “Fifty- year- olds bring their 30- year- old children here, and they bring their kids here, and they all love it because the island always stays the same. That’s why I’m here.”
Don’t miss out! Mark your calendar for the next Master Gardener Lecture Series, which resumes November 2014.