Historian and Storyteller to Keynote Sarasota Bay Watershed Symposium; Additional Sponsors Welcome

Photo by Sara Kane

Nancy Stoner, the Acting Assistant Administrator for Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), visited Sarasota December 29. Ms. Stoner and a group of local officials visited the Celery Fields Stormwater Facility, Honore Avenue to see recent efforts to improve drainage, and Red Rock Park to learn more about local efforts to replace septic tanks along Phillippi Creek. The final stop was a boat tour of Roberts Bay to see a bird colony island, mangrove habitat and seagrass beds. 

Ms. Stoner has had an extensive career in environmental policy and law beginning in 1987 as a trial attorney in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Most recently, Ms. Stoner served as the Co-Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC) Water Program.

Randy will be interviewing many area professionals involved with restoring and protecting Sarasota Bay. This includes resource managers with local government, private industry contractors, elected representatives, scientists and researchers, environmental educators, and other experts. He welcomes suggestions for future interviews at randy@triple3marketing.com

Photo by wayfaring.info

SBEP has 8 free guided kayak excursions remaining with its annual Bay Wise Kayak Tour Program. The first two trips to Neal Preserve took place in December. Upcoming trips include Leffis and Jewfish Key (1/7 and 1/21), Lido Mangrove Tunnels (2/4 and 2/18), Blind Pass (3/3 and 3/17), and Lyons and Blackburn Bay (4/7 and 4/21).

The SBEP Bay Wise Kayak Tour Program is a fun learning opportunity to discover the plants, animals, habitats, and restoration projects that distinguish Sarasota Bay. Brad Tanner, a professional guide and the School Programs Coordinator for Mote Marine Laboratory, is the kayak tour leader. Brad is also a member of the SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

Participants are required to bring their own kayak and gear. The Bay Wise Kayak Program is for experienced kayakers. Click here to learn more and to register online for upcoming trips.

SBEP Bay Partners Grant Applications due March 1; Unique Program Promotes Bay-Friendly Stewardship

SBEP has awarded $150,000 in grants to more than 90 community organizations since 2002. They include local schools, homeowner associations, community and neighborhood groups, and non-profit organizations. Completed projects have included wildlife gardens, landscape projects featuring native plants, micro-irrigation projects, Bay-education signage, contouring to create bioswales, and various education programs.

The purpose of the SBEP Bay Partners Grant Program is to promote environmental education, awareness, community involvement, and stewardship to improve the overall quality of Sarasota Bay and its tributaries. To support these goals, funding is available from SBEP for projects that focus on Bay Education, Bay Restoration or Bay-Friendly Landscaping.

Applications are due by 4pm on Thursday, March 1. Click here to complete the 2012 application. Click here to review the 14 recipients of 2011 grants. Questions should be directed to Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org.

Sunbow Bay Condo Association on Anna Maria Island, Windward Bay Condo Association on Longboat Key and Beachplace Association, Inc., on Longboat Key recently completed SBEP Bay Partner Grant Projects. All three condo associations earned grant support from SBEP to help complete projects that benefit Sarasota Bay.

Sunbow BayCondo Association completed retrofitting of existing turf to create a Bay-friendly garden of native plants; Windward Bay Condo Association expanded their saltwater bioswale and added more native plants; and Beachplace Association, Inc. expanded and upgraded their stormwater detention pond. Congratulations to all three organizations.

Cannons Marina located on Longboat Key is one of the 11 area marinas that have been designated a Clean Marina through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The program requires that marinas implement and maintain best management practices that are considered environmentally sound. The practices address waste management, storm water control, spill prevention, and emergency preparedness.

Cannons became designated in June, 2005; one of the earliest participants in the statewide program. It was an easy decision according to Benny Parrish, Cannons manager. "Everyone on our team shares a desire to keep Sarasota Bay healthy," he said. "Working with DEP to earn the designation was also a good learning experience since it exposed us to new practices."

Other local marinas that have been designated Clean Marinas include Crow's Nest Marina in Venice, Galati Yacht Sales on Anna Maria Island, Gulf Harbor Marina in Nokomis, Hyatt Regency Marina in Sarasota, Longboat Key Moorings, Marina Jack in Sarasota, Regatta Point Marina in Palmetto, Twin Dolphin Marina in Bradenton, and the Venice Yacht Club in Venice.

SBEP is working with the Florida DEP to encourage other marinas and boatyards in Sarasota and Manatee County to practice Bay-wise stewardship and to consider earning their designation as a Clean Marina. Click here to learn more about the program.

Melissa Climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan

Melissa Nell is at home whether leading flashlight tours through the owl-filled Rye woods or presenting detailed restoration plans before policy leaders. As the Manager for the Education and Volunteer Division of Manatee County's Natural Resources Department, she's led hundreds of educational programs and worked with thousands of volunteers to improve Manatee County's natural habitat.

Melissa was raised near the beaches of Brevard County before moving to the west coast of Florida. Her love for the environment began early in life; she was inspired to pursue a career as an environmental educator after attending classes at Sea World and Busch Gardens.

Melissa is a Certified Interpretive Guide and a Certified Heritage Interpreter through the National Association for Interpretation. She is also interested in herpetology and animal behavior and spent a number of years working on reinforcement based training of parrots and birds of prey. Melissa completed the University of Florida Master Naturalist Program in 2011. She completed her undergraduate degree from New College in Fine Arts and Biology; her Master's Degree from NOVA Southeastern in Environmental Education and recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Informal Science Institutions from USF. 
 

One of her passions away from work is a "secret identity" as a professional Middle Eastern dancer. This avocation has taken her across the globe, most recently to Japan, to perform with other artists. She co-facilitates a local troupe with her husband that brings music and dance to the community through impromptu flash-mob performances and charity events. She also collects antique kimonos.

Click here to learn more about all the members of the CAC.

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