Shop at Whole Foods Market, support Mote animal rescuers
Now through Jan. 15, 2017, you can help raise money for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations Program when you shop at Whole Foods Market Sarasota.
Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program responds 24-7 to sick, injured and deceased marine mammals and sea turtles within the coastal waters of Southwest Florida, mainly in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The program also offers logistical support to state biologists in the verification and rescue of sick, injured or deceased manatees, an endangered species in Florida’s coastal waters.
The Program was formally established in 1985 and since then Mote staff have responded to more than 700 cetacean strandings of 19 species. The Program has also been involved in sea turtle strandings since 2003, and since then, has recovered more than 1,000 turtles. SIP also works closely with Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and its Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program with hopes of rehabilitating injured sea turtles and returning them to the wild.
How it works:
Whole Foods Market gives 10 cents per bag to customers who re-use their own shopping bags for their purchased groceries. This program reduces environmental impacts and also supports local non-profit groups.
Customers will have the choice to accept their cash refund, donate the cash to Mote or to the Whole Planet Foundation.
Whole Foods Market Sarasota benefits four local nonprofit organizations a year through its Donate Your Dime program.
Whole Foods Market Sarasota is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at 1451 1st Street Sarasota, FL 34236. For more information, visit: http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/sarasota.
Report marine life in distress:
Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see a stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please call Mote's Stranding Investigations Program: 888-345-2335.
If you see a stranded or dead manatee anywhere in Florida waters or a stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle outside of Sarasota or Manatee counties, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline: 1-888-404-3922.