Quiet Water Kayak Trips - December 2012 - SW Florida

Quiet Water Kayak Trips
Call John at 941-966-7308 for reservations.

Enjoy leisurely paddling and observation at a variety of sites difficult to visit by any other means. Kayak, paddles, life vest, etc. supplied. If you haven’t used a kayak before, a short training session before the trip will get you going. Except for trips marked with an asterisk (*), members who bring their own kayak and life vests can participate for a $5 donation to the Society. Otherwise, cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members unless noted. State parks require an additional entrance fee.

 Dec 1 Myakka State Park; 8:30 - 11:30am
 Dec 2 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park; 9am - noon
 Dec 5 Robinson Preserve/Manatee Co; 10am - 2pm ($30mem/$35non-mem)
 Dec 9 Blackburn Point/Oscar Shcerer State Park; 10am - 1:30pm
*Dec 12 Myakka State Park; 8:30am-11:30am
 Dec 15 MYAKKA DAZE all day down the Myakka River ($50 includes kayak/$35 with own)
 Dec 19 South Lido/Bird Key; 10am - 1pm
*Dec 22 Myakka State Park; 9:30am - 12:30pm
 Dec 23 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park; 9:30am - 12:30pm
*Dec 24 Myakka River State Park; 8:30 - 11:30am
 Dec 25 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt. Park; 10am - 1pm

Bay Guardians to Plant Natives at North Lido Beach Park

Our group of student and adult volunteers will be planting native plants at North Lido Beach Park on Saturday, July 14. The group will include 20 middle school students from the Duke University Talent Identification Program, a marine biology summer camp focused on estuaries and marshes. Bay Guardian volunteers planted more than 2,000 plants last year at the same site.

The new tidal tributary at North Lido Beach Park was completed in March 2011. The restoration project improved 30 acres on the 70 acre site. The effort removed non-native vegetation, excavated the tidal wetland, contoured the upland area, created dunes, and planted thousands of native plants. The tidal wetland was created to provide essential habitat for estuarine dependent fish species. 

This is the fourth Bay Guardian outing for 2012. Prior volunteer projects occurred at Emerson Point Preserve in Manatee County, North Water Tower Park in Sarasota County and Quick Point Preserve on Longboat Key.

Sister Keys Clean Up

BAY GUARDIAN VOLUNTEERS TO RALLY AT QUICK POINT PRESERVE MARCH 10

 SARASOTA, FL – Bay Guardian volunteers with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) and guides with Around the Bend Nature Tours will remove debris and invasive plants at Quick Point Preserve Saturday, March 10. Quick Point Preserve is located at 100 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key. The 34-acre preserve with 3,000 feet of shoreline features scenic vistas and opportunities for viewing birds and other wildlife. Paved trails and boardwalks provide convenient access to the man-made tidal lagoons.

Students from Martha B. King Middle School in Bradenton and the Future Leaders Academy in Sarasota will be participating at the volunteer event. Guides with Around the Bend Nature Tours will provide educational insights and lunch will be provided to the volunteers. King Middle School was recently selected to receive a SBEP Blue Dolphin Award to acknowledge the school’s ongoing support of Bay Guardian volunteer events.

The next Bay Guardian event is the annual Air Potato Roundup April 14 at North Water Tower Park in Sarasota. Air potatoes are an invasive species and prior Bay Guardian events at the park have focused on removing the plant. The April event is supported by area disc golfers including members of the Sarasota Sky Pilot Disc Golf Club. North Water Tower Park has one of the most popular disc golf courses in the region.

The Sarasota Bay Guardians is a family-friendly volunteer program that SBEP manages in partnership with Around the Bend Nature Tours. The program was established to attract volunteers interested in helping restore Sarasota Bay. New volunteers receive a blue tee shirt featuring the Bay Guardians logo. Learn more about the program online at sarasotabay.org. Local school and church groups interested in volunteering can also contact Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org.