This blog is dedicated to the environmental well-being of our Florida coastal habitat.

This blog is
dedicated to the environmental well-being of coastal habitat.

Monday, September 19, 2011

National Estuaries Day Celebration


National Estuaries Day Celebration Set for September 24 at Ken Thompson Park; 
Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team to Perform

SARASOTA, FL – The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) and Around the Bend Nature Tours are hosting a National Estuaries Day celebration Saturday, September 24 at Ken Thompson Park near Mote Marine Laboratory. The theme of the free community event is Enjoy Sarasota Bay. Highlights include fun learning activities and exhibits for adults and children from 9am to 2pm and a performance by the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team.

Visitors can also pick up a discount ticket at the event for admission to the popular Mote Aquarium. Around the Bend Nature Tours will provide dip nets to give visitors an up close encounter with aquatic life as well as guided tours on the boardwalk through the mangrove forest. Brad Tanner, the SBEP Bay Wise kayak tour guide and a staff member at Mote Marine, will provide a series of Paddling 101 courses for visitors interested in learning more about recreational paddling. Visitors can bring their own kayak and some extra kayaks will be available.

Bryan Moore, a professional disc golf player sponsored by Team Discraft, will provide free lessons and a putting clinic. Local artist Patti Cross and her daughter Amber will be available for face painting. A group of high school students with Mote’s High School Intern Program will present an aquatic version of bean bag toss.

Exhibitors include Mote Marine Laboratory, Island Style Water Sports, MarineMax, Sarasota Audubon, Florida Underwater Sports, Manatee County Natural Resources Department, Friends of Tampa Bay Wildlife, Florida Native Plant Society, Save our Seabirds, Sarasota County Extension, Mote Marine High School Intern Program, and Stow-it Fishing Line Bins. The SBEP Bay Guardian volunteers will also be on hand early in the morning to clean up the area as part of National Coastal Cleanup Day.