Coastal Clean Up 2006 is upon us. We need names & t-shirt sizes for those who what to help by early sept. work day is sept 16th 8am to noon

more to follow


Another upcomming event:


County seeks volunteers to help remove exotic plants on National Public Lands Day
Sarasota County is seeking volunteers to help celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 30, by clearing exotic plant species from county-owned sites. From 8 a.m.-noon, staff from Sarasota County Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation will guide volunteers in the removal of Brazilian pepper and air potato from the following four locations:

· Pocono Trails Preserve
189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis (just southeast of U.S. 41 and the bridge over Dona Bay)

· Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center
570 Bay Park Blvd, Englewood

· Phillippi Estate Park
5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

· The portion of the county’s rails to trails corridor behind Nokomis Community Park
234 E. Nippino Trail, Nokomis




National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance America’s public lands. Sept. 30 marks the first year that Sarasota will participate in the 13th annual event, which is a program of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation.

During last year’s National Public Lands Day, nearly 90,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, planted trees and plants, and removed trash and invasive plants. In the process, they also learned about the importance of public lands to the nation’s environmental, economic and social health.

“Invasive plants have a tendency to encroach on and take over native habitats,” said Public Use Coordinator Brie Ondercin. “Some invasive plant species are toxic and harmful for other plants, animals and even humans. Removing them keeps them from spreading farther throughout the county’s natural areas and into people’s backyards.”

The first 25 volunteers at each site will receive a Discover Natural Sarasota County T-shirt. All volunteers will receive gardening gloves and water. Restrooms or portable toilets will be available at each location, along with dumpsters to place the removed exotic plants and garbage bags to collect trash and other debris. Participants must provide their own hand tools, such as clippers and shears, and should also bring water, bug spray, sunscreen, hat (optional) and sunglasses.

In case of rain, the event will move to Saturday, Oct. 21.

Pre-registration is required to participate. For information about how to pre-register, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Natural Resources.

To learn more about National Public Lands Day, visit www.publiclandsday.org.