Inaugural SeagrassFest and 2nd Annual Seagrass Survey to connect the public with Sarasota Bay
Join Mote Marine Laboratory scientists as they participate in the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s Inaugural SeagrassFest and Sarasota County’s 2nd Annual Seagrass Survey. This free two-in-one event will take place on April 30 at beautiful Ken Thompson Park on City Island (1700 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Fla).
Start the morning with the Sarasota County Seagrass Survey from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then stick around for the Seagrass Festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is partnering with Sarasota County to offer a fantastic day of family-friendly games, food and education celebrating the seagrass meadows of Sarasota Bay and their importance to the surrounding community.
Guest speakers at the SeagrassFest include City of Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw, Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines, Environmental Protection Agency Associate Deputy Administrator Ben Scaggs and SBEP Policy Board members Jon Iglehart of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Michael Moran of Southwest Florida Water Management District. They and others will talk about the efforts to restore this critical resource.
Mote is a longtime partner and sponsor of SBEP and partner of Sarasota County. The Mote Mobile exhibit will be at the festival with hands-on activities — including a sea life touch tank. Mote scientists Jim Culter and Dr. Emily Hall will also host a tent to share information on their bay scallop restoration efforts and to educate the public about Sarasota’s Bay’s shellfish populations, including scallops, oysters and clams.
Mote researchers aim to learn why the once-abundant bay scallop has been declining in population size over the past decades. A healthy population of scallops leads to improved water quality, turbidity and nutrient reduction at no cost. Scallop population health is correlated with healthy seagrass beds and ecosystem stability.
Research with Mote's nursery-raised scallops and wild scallops is integral to learning more about the cause of declines and defining restoration options to ensure the future health of our local waters.
In addition, "The Art of Marine Science," a project between Mote and Ringling College of Art and Design, will showcase students' artwork promoting awareness of scallop restoration and ocean acidification (OA), a concerning ocean-chemistry change that might ultimately affect multiple species, including shellfish. Other regional organizations committed to the health of Sarasota Bay will host tents and exhibits as well. Participating organizations include:
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- Sarasota County Government
- Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources Department
- Around the Bend Nature Tours
- Science & Environment Council of Southwest Florida
- Sea & Shoreline, LLC
For those interested in exploring the seagrass habitat, the Carefree Learner boat, kayak paddling instructions and seine netting will all be available to the public during the SeagrassFest.
In the morning, registered volunteers can join the Sarasota County’s annual Seagrass Survey, a citizen-science event that provides the public an up-close, hands-on opportunity to see and learn more about seagrass, while collecting data for the county’s Seagrass Monitoring Program and the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s SWIM Program. The Seagrass Survey is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m.) and includes a free t-shirt and lunch for all registered participants.
Mote staff scientists Culter and Hall, along with staff from SBEP, Around the Bend Nature Tours, the Carefree Learner, Lee County, SUP Sarasota and Sarasota County, will assist in training volunteers on seagrass species identification, data gathering, fieldwork basics and tips for making the most out of this unique experience. The seagrass beds of Sarasota Bay are filled with native wildlife such as fish, sea urchin and seahorses that are sure to fascinate people of all ages. Just remember to register and bring your own mask and snorkel!
Seagrass Survey volunteers can register online until April 25. Motorized boaters and snorkelers are especially needed. A few more spaces for kayakers and paddleboarders are still available. Both the survey and festival are great opportunities to learn about the area’s important seagrass beds—and rediscover the wonder of the ocean in your own backyard! Those interested in volunteering for the Seagrass Survey can contact Ashley Melton at amelton@scgov.net.
About Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
SBEP is an intergovernmental partnership dedicated to restoring and protecting Sarasota Bay. Our partners include Sarasota and Manatee counties; cities of Sarasota and Bradenton; Town of Longboat Key; Southwest Florida Water Management District; Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SBEP is one of our nation's 28 national estuary programs.