Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/cedarkeys/

Governor to consider springs restoration money

http://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/content/governor-consider-springs-restoration-money
- Cedar Key Beacon

SE American Littoral Society Field Trips and Events

Quiet Water Kayak Trips

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. 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.
Call John at 941-966-7308 for info and reservations.
Red Font = Schedule change since original post.
January
 5 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park, 10 am - 1 pm
 9 Waterways of Nokomis, 10 am - 1 pm
10 Myakka River/Snook Haven, 10 am - 1 pm
12 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park, 10 am - 1 pm
13 Myakka River/Snook Haven; 10 am - 1 pm 
15 South Lido Park/Bird Key, 10 am - 1 pm 24 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park, 10 am - 1 pm
26 Myakka River State Park, 11 am - 2 pm
31 Apollo Beach/Kitchen Preserve warm water sanctuary  $30/members; $35 non-members
     plus $5 boat launch fee; 10 am - 2 pm
February
 2 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park, 10 am - 1 pm 
 3 South Lido Park/Bird Key, 10 am - 1 pm
 5 Shell Key Preserve/Pinellas County; 10 am - 2 pm; $30/members; $35 non-members
10 Blackburn Pt. Oscar Scherer State Park; 10 am - 1:30 pm
12 Historic Cortez/Kitchen Preserve; 10 am - 1 pm; $25/member; $30/non-member
14 Don Pedro State Park/Lemon Bay; 10 am - 1:30 pm; $25/member; $30/non-member
20 Waterways of Nokomis; 10 am - 1 pm
23 Myakka River at Snook Haven/Palmer Pt. Park; 8:30 am - 11:30 am
24 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Beach; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
26 Apollo Beach/Kitchen Preserve warm water sanctuary  $30/members; $35 non-members
     plus $5 boat launch fee; 10 am - 2 pm
28 Edwards Islands/Roberts Bay Rookery; 10 am - 1:30 pm; $25/member; $30/non-member

Upcoming Marine Life Explorations
Explore the sea life near our shores with American Littoral Society biologists.  Using hand and seine nets, we will be searching shallow waters and sea grass beds, observing, collecting, and discussing the natural history of some of the many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit Sarasota Bay.  Trips run on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Wading shoes suggested. Call  for reservations.  Call  Chuck at  941-488-8998 Sept 8- Lemon Bay Park
Oct 13- Lemon Bay Park
Dec 8-  Lemon Bay Park
Jan 12- Bird Key
Feb 9- Lemon Bay Park
Mar 9- Blackburn Point Park
Apr 13- Lemon Bay Park



Eco-Tour with Us Aboard the Carefree Learner (January - May)Get hands-on fun and learn up close about the critters of the Bay with our expert naturalists and educators. Also see amazing nesting bird life. The boat is small and provides a great experience for students of all ages. The Carefree Learner are on Wednesdays at 1 to 3 pm departing from Bayfront Park next to Le Barge, near the Ringling circle. Members $15, Non-members $20, kids (12 and under) $10.
January 30, Contact Linda at 607-423-9027
February 13, Contact Linda at 607-423-9027
February 27, Contact Loyola at 206-484-7092
March 6, 20, 27, Contact Bobbi at 941-927-3409
April 6*, 17, 24, Contact Loyola at 206-484-7092
*Note, our April 6 trip is the only Saturday trip

SBEP RECEIVES EDEXPLORE NEXT GRANT TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

SARASOTA, FL – The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) received an EdExploreNEXT Grant to support environmental education benefiting local students. The $25,000 grant was awarded by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County to support the SBEP PIER Education Program. PIER stands for Protection, Involvement, Education and Restoration. More than 40,000 students from public and private schools have participated in the program since 2003.

SBEP partners for the grant include Sarasota County Natural Resources and Around the Bend Nature Tours. The grant will be used to purchase equipment that teachers can use in their classroom to enhance student activities. PIER includes field trips and curriculum lesson plans benefiting students of all ages. 

The EdExploreNEXT Grants are part of a larger focus by The Patterson Foundation to support community education. The initiative includes EDExploreSRQ.com, a public website hosted by the Sarasota School District that’s designed to give teachers access to learning opportunities. All of the content supports Florida’s Subject Area Benchmarks. Local partners for the initiative include the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, the Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, and Sarasota County Schools. 

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is dedicated to restoring the area's greatest natural asset—Sarasota Bay. Its unique program strives to improve water quality, increase habitat and enhance the natural resources of the area for use and enjoyment by the public. Sarasota Bay is one of 28 protected estuaries in the U.S. The SBEP was founded in 1989 and its partners include Sarasota County, Manatee County, City of Sarasota, City of Bradenton, Town of Longboat Key, Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Warm Weather Question

Hey you, READER, what are the effects of the current exceptionally warm weather on Sarasota's Shoreline?

Email: marinell3@comcast.net

Massive shark off Florida coast

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/bestoftv/2013/01/09/exp-early-fischer-shark.cnn
- CNN.com

Mote finds oil dispersant is toxic to coral

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130109/ARTICLE/130109609/2416/NEWS?Title=Mote-finds-oil-dispersant-is-toxic-to-coral
-Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Bay Guardians Invasive Removal Feb. 23rd

  The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program invites you to a Bay Guardian volunteer Air Potato Round-up and Debris Removal event on February 23rd at Bay Walk Creek.  What is an air potato?  An air potato is an invasive vine that covers and shades out beneficial native plants.  The vine grows large tubers that resemble hanging potatoes.  There will be a contest with prizes for the smallest, biggest, and weirdest-looking air potato collected!   

The Bay Walk Creek restoration site is located on what was the Charles Ringling Mansion grounds and is now owned by New College.  This beautiful, bay front location has stretches of mangroves and estuarine beach.    

This event is suitable for ages 6 and up. 

Participants must wear closed-toed shoes (old tennis shoes work great), and preferably long-sleeved shirts and pants.  Please wear hat, sunscreen, clothes that can get dirty and work gloves. Also, please bring a reusable water bottle if you have one to reduce our plastic pollution.  Bring a folding chair for lunch.

WHAT:   Bay Guardians Air Potato Round-up 
WHERE:   Uplands Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34243 
WHEN:   Saturday, Feb. 23rd, 2013, 9:00am-12:00pm 
HOW: In closed-toe shoes ONLY, we also recommend long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect from potentially irritating plants amongst the air potato.   

Bay Guardians shirts will be available for all volunteers! If you already have one please wear your shirt to the event.  Please carpool if you can!

Lunch will be provided for all volunteers after the removal is done!

Registration Required: Click here to register! 

Questions? Contact Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org or 941-955-8085 

Eco-Tours Aboard the Carefree Learner

Get hands-on fun and learn up close about the critters of Sarasota Bay with our expert naturalists and educators. Also see amazing nesting bird life. The boat is small and provides a great experience for people of all ages. The Carefree Learner tours are on Wednesdays at 1 to 3 pm departing from Bayfront Park next to Le Barge, near the Ringling circle. Members $15, Non-members $20, kids (12 and under) $10.

Seine Sarasota Bay - Hands-on Marine Life Exploration

Explore the sea life near our shores with American Littoral Society biologists. Using hand and seine nets, we will be searching shallow waters and sea grass beds, observing, collecting, and discussing the natural history of some of the many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit Sarasota Bay. Trips run on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Wading shoes suggested. 

Sewage spills again in Hudson Bayou neighborhood

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130103/ARTICLE/130109889/2416/NEWS?Title=Sewage-spills-again-in-Hudson-Bayou-neighborhood
-Sarasota Herald Tribune

Free Guided Bay Wise Kayak Tours Available Through April; February Trips Set for Lido Mangrove Tunnels

  

There are still openings for the free kayak tours to the Lido Mangrove Tunnels in February and Blind Pass in March. The tours to Leffis and Jewfish Key on January 5 and January 19 are already booked, but please email info@sarasotabay.org if you are interested in being added to the waiting list. Bay Wise Kayak Tour Schedule. Brad Tanner leads the free kayak tours. He's a professional kayak guide, School Program Coordinator for Mote Marine Laboratory and a member of the SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The guided trips require online registration.

Convenient registration links: 

Lido Mangrove Tunnels - February 2 or February 16

Blind Pass - March 2 or March 16