SBEP released the State of the Bay Report 2010 "Celebrating Paradise: Staying the Course" on Friday, September 24 as a community update on the progress made in carrying out the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).

Highlights include significant water quality improvements due to an estimated 64 percent reduction in nitrogen pollution since 1988, a 24 percent increase in seagrass coverage above 1950 levels, the return of scallops in 2008, restoration and enhancement of 650 acres of wetland habitat, creation of 28 new ecological parks, deployment of 3,000 artificial reef modules on nine new reefs, establishment of the first oyster re-colonization projects, creation of the Gulf Coast Heritage Trail, and implementation of a comprehensive public education program.

Even with notable progress, SBEP expects continued challenges in the watershed with the region's growing population. "A continuing emphasis of our outreach and education effort is reaching more individuals and families", said Mark Alderson, SBEP's Program Director. "Community-wide stewardship means more people reducing the impact of stormwater runoff, reducing pet waste that increase nitrogen levels, and reducing the use of fertilizers".

A reception held at the Powell Crosley estate in Sarasota celebrated the release of the report. More than 100 community leaders attended the event including representatives of SBEP's major partners and the various boards that provide guidance to the SBEP staff. Event sponsors included Scheda Ecological, Janicki Environmental, Inc., Jones Edmunds & Associates, Adams and Reese LLP, CS&L, Reef Innovations, Wilson Miller Stantec, and Kirk-Pinkerton.

Deborah Getzoff with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Chairperson of SBEP's Policy Board emphasized the vital contributions made by volunteers throughout Sarasota and Manatee County in helping  SBEP fulfill its mission. "It's important to acknowledge the CAC and all of the volunteers who care enough to give their time and efforts to enhance Sarasota Bay", she said. "We couldn't achieve these positive results without their personal dedication".

Please contact Sara Kane, the SBEP Public Outreach Coordinator at sara@sarasotabay.org for a printed copy or  CLICK HERE to download a digital version.

SBEP's free Bay Wise Kayak Tour program begins Sunday, December 12 with an excursion to Neal Preserve. Ten trips are planned throughout Sarasota Bay through April. They include: Neal Preseve (12/12 and 12/18), Leffis and Jewfish Key (1/15 and 1/22), South Lido Mangrove Tunnels (2/5 and 2/19), Whitaker Bayou (3/5 and 3/19), and Lyons and Blackburn Bay (4/9 and 4/23).

Bay Guardians Team up with Other

Volunteers at Robinson Preserve

The SBEP Bay Guardians teamed up with Around

the Bend Nature Tours, Manatee County Natural

Resources, King Middle School, USF

SustainaBULLS, and Girl Scout Troup 736 on

October 16 for a fall planting at Robinson Preserve

in Bradenton. The volunteers planted 100 slash

pine and 20 southern red cedars in an area that

will eventually become a pine flatwoods beside

the saltern habitat.

Dip Net Estuary Study at Ken Thompson Park Reveals Healthy Diversity of Marine Species

The SBEP Bay Guardians teamed up with Around the Bend Nature Tours on October 17 to catch critters in the grass flats of Sarasota Bay at Ken Thompson Park. Some of the species included a sea horse, a pair of sea urchins, crown conchs, tulip snails, baby blue crabs, spider crabs, a cornet fish, and lots of shrimp, pipefish and pinfish. According to Karen Fraley with Around the Bend Nature Tours, the most exciting find was a scrawled cowfish and a box fish with lovely blue spots.

The diversity of species reflects well on the health of Sarasota Bay. The variety of species found during the recent dip net study is more robust than other parks closer to Longboat Pass. In addition to the hands on dip netting effort, Karen and her staff emphasized the importance of reducing stormwater runoff and pet waste.

Bay Guardians Partner with Local Groups for Whitaker Bayou Cleanup

A team of 55 volunteers from SBEP's Bay Guardians, Keep Sarasota County Beautiful, Ringling School of Art & Design, and New College worked together on September 25 to clean up Whitaker Bayou Greenway. The effort was part of International Coastal Cleanup Day and the National Estuaries Day Celebration. The cleanup took place on land and in the bayou itself. Collected items included bicycle parts, blankets, hats, gloves, and familiar plastic items. Some of the volunteers also removed exotic invasive plants along the shoreline including air potatoes and Brazilian pepper.

Join the SBEP Bay Guardians Today to Help Restore and Protect Sarasota Bay

You can help restore and protect Sarasota Bay by joining the SBEP Bay Guardians. Sign up today to stay informed about upcoming volunteer projects and fun activities throughout 2011. The Bay Guardians is an important and fun volunteer outlet for individuals, families, students, and seniors. Make a difference while learning about our natural environment. Please contact Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org.

SBEP Promotes Medication Take Back Effort at

Inaugural Environmental Fair at Local USF Campus

SBEP partnered with the USF Sarasota Manatee campus

student government association to host a Medication Take Back

effort on Saturday, November 13. The event was part of the first environmental fair ever held at the local USF campus. Nine pounds of medications were collected and safety disposed by the USF Campus Police. That included more than 2,000 pills including popular medications such as paxil, lortab, hydocodone, benadryl, and zyrtec.

The effort to promote safe disposal of prescription medication is a response to pharmaceuticals being detected in the environment. Even small concentrations could have an adverse impact on people and marine life. More than four billion prescriptions are filled in the United States every year, and it has been estimated that as much as a third of the dispensed medication goes unused.

Please remind people you know NOT to flush unused, unwanted and expired medications down the drain or toilet. Sarasota and Manatee County have approved places to dispose of medications safely including the local Sherriff's Offices.

SBEP in the News

 

Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program 

Hosts National ANEP Conference in Punta Gorda

SBEP Selects Triple 3 Marketing for Contract

SBEP recently selected Triple 3 Marketing to provide marketing and communication support on a multi-year contract. Sarasota-based Triple 3 Marketing is owned by Randall Moore. Randy published two local magazines from 1999 to 2009. He sold Positive Change Media in April 2009 before launching Triple 3 Marketing. He also served as the executive director and producer of the E-Fest Green Living Music & Arts Festival, one of Florida's largest green living events. Learn more at www.triple3marketing.com. 

Brad Tanner has an affinity for the natural environment and water related recreation. In addition to serving on the CAC and leading the SBEP Bay Wise Kayak Tours, Brad has served the past six years as the School Programs Coordinator for Mote Marine Laboratory.

Brad was born in Morristown, New Jersey and he moved to Sarasota from Wilmington, North Carolina in June 2004. He has led hundreds of kayak tours for people of all ages to expand awareness about the wonders of coastal habitats and marine life.

Brad earned a master level certificate from the University of South Florida in Informal Science Education and he also completed courses at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. His commitment to learning included an opportunity to travel to Indonesia in 2009 with Dr. Eugene Clark, the founder of Mote Marine, where he studied new fish species and provided education programs for children.

He is the past president and current executive board member with the Florida Association of Science Teachers (FAST), board member with the National Association of Science Teachers, and a member of the Florida Marine Science Educators Association. Some of his other interests include scuba diving, hiking, boating, skiing, traveling, and jogging. He has completed two marathons, four half marathons and a handful of triathlons. Brad joined the CAC to help promote conservation and protect Sarasota Bay.  

Thank you to Sarasota cartoonist Rick Hotton for permission to use one of his inspiring cartoons. This particular strip is a reminder that the things we do today in support of Sarasota Bay are having a positive impact on the future of our region. Holy Mole is featured in newspapers, magazines and websites throughout the US, Australia, Great Britain, and Canada. Local media outlets featuring Holy Mole include the Bradenton Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay Times, Lakewood Ranch Herald, and Positive Impact Magazine. Learn more at www.facebook.com/holymolecartoon.