Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Annual Report 2024

This is an interactive dashboard featuring information and real-time sampling updates for harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Florida.

Fact sheet listing plants that have the right characteristics to be used in a rain garden, has tips on maintenance, and lists additional resources.

Presentation on how to construct a residential downspout planter from wood or using a galvanized tub, and how to install it.

Diagrams for constructing a built-in downspout stormwater biofiltration system, with installation notes.

The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection's continuous water quality monitoring program began in 1995 at the National Estuarine Research Reserves and was expanded to the Aquatic Preserves in late 2003. The Aquatic Preserve Program maintains 14 continuous water quality monitoring stations around the state. Data from these stations can be downloaded and graphed from this website.

This page has a list of selected capital improvement projects in Sarasota County, and links to get information about all current projects and the funding process.

Shellfish harvesting area classifications are used to determine where shellfish harvesting is allowed. Approved and Conditionally Approved are areas where harvesting is allowed when the area is in open status. Restricted/Conditionally Restricted, Prohibited and Unclassified are areas where harvesting is not permitted. This page has maps showing which areas fall into each of these classifications, and the current open/closed status of Approved and Conditionally Approved areas.

With funding assistance from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the City of Sarasota constructed an 18-acre system of connected treatment wetlands that take flow from two tributaries of Phillippi Creek. Learn about the project in this video.

Ninety-six percent of the Florida public waters inventoried in 2017 contained one or more non-native plants. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considers 18 of the 26 non-native aquatic plants found in Florida?s public waters to be invasive. This page has photos and descriptions of some of the most common and troublesome invasive plants in Florida.

This guide provides a clear and concise toolbox for increasing community engagement in stormwater pond management. Property, condo, and homeowner associations (collectively referred to in this manual as HOAs) will benefit from expert step-by-step guidance on incorporating best management practices for maintaining their stormwater ponds? function to store and treat stormwater, while improving aquatic habitat for Florida?s wildlife and enhancing neighborhood aesthetics.

This interactive story map invites you to virtually experience unique natural areas within Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. To begin exploring, select a preserve at the bottom of the page. Take a virtual guided hike by clicking on the yellow trail markers along the red highlighted portion of the trail system to learn more about the Preserve and its unique plant communities and wildlife.

From lawn fertilizers to motor oils to microplastics, a number of materials often used in our lives can have serious consequences for our waters.

Public Works Assistant Director Tricia Wisner explains the city's Water Control Systems and how each system is monitored, especially in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia. For more questions about North Port's Water Control Systems, please visit NorthPortFL.gov/PublicWorks.

This playlist of 9 YouTube videos covers various topics related to residential landscape irrigation. Each video is between 45 minutes and an hour. They can be watched individually or sequentially.

The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners recently approved a Water Quality Level of Service which was developed to create threshold targets for nitrogen, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen for waterbodies that convey stormwater. #SRQCountyPublicWorks Aaron Zimmermann shares how this tool will assist in the identification of waterbody Level of Service status, serve as additional criteria for prioritizing water quality improvement projects, and continue the County's commitment to a

In this document, researchers review the theoretical and empirical framework on which the percent-of-flow approach is based and describe how it is applied in the water management setting. Analyses supporting this approach have emphasized hydrobiological relationships within tidal-river zones of larger estuarine systems in southwest Florida. Representative findings from tidal rivers are reviewed to illustrate key ecological relationships and applications to the management of freshwater inflow

Florida Friendly Angler is a free, online, do-at-your-own pace educational program designed for any angler who wants to learn more about sustainable fishing and boating practices while interacting with Florida's aquatic environments. Topics covered include environmental ethics for anglers, best practices for catch and release, and an introduction to fisheries management. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate and a free Florida Friendly Angler weatherproof decal.

Learn the science of climate change, and approaches to adopt locally and globally.

Each year, volunteer citizen scientists measure seagrass abundance in Sarasota County bays. This report details what they found in 2022.

This audio tour explores habitats, plants, and wildlife that make the area unique and highlights ways we can better protect and enjoy these natural wonders. Topics include local sustainability, conservation, restoration, wildlife, ecosystems, water quality, and more. The tour features 40 "stops" around Sarasota and Manatee counties that can be accessed by phone from anywhere (941-926-6813), or visit the featured locations at outdoor sites to get an up-close and personal experience.

Southwest Florida's subtropical climate supports individual and team outdoor sports throughout the year. Rising temperatures combined with Florida's high humidity reduce the body's ability to cool itself through sweating, and increases risks of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Get the latest information on Sarasota County water resources quality, including the science of water quality, local efforts, and action opportunities, in this latest update to the 2019 Sarasota County Water Quality Summit. Recorded on Dec. 5, 2022. Learn more: www.scgov.net/water quality.

In this webinar you will learn how you can help researchers learn if harmful algae, like those that cause red tides, are present in local waters.

Despite the assumption that residential fertilizer ordinances improve regional water quality, their impacts across space and time largely have remained unknown. Data from the UF/IFAS LAKEWATER program were used to analyze changes in water quality of lakes throughout the State of Florida from 1987 to 2018, comparing trends in water quality parameters before and after implementation of county-wide fertilizer ordinances. The article includes a link where data and metadata may be downloaded.

Red tide is a complex phenomenon, but how do red tide blooms affect us humans? Learn what you need to know about health concerns and red tide in this short video. Visit FWC's website for more information about red tide, including its daily sample map: MyFWC.com/redtide

Red tide often affects the Gulf Coast of Florida during certain times of the year, like late summer. Not sure what that means for you, your family, and your pets? This video from FWC will teach you everything you need to know: what red tide is, red tide?s affects on health, and how we as scientists track and monitor red tide. Visit our website for more information about red tide, including our daily sample map: MyFWC.com/research/redtide/

The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners updated its ordinance relating to assessments that fund its Stormwater Environmental Utility in July 2022. This document is the final version of the ordinance, with all approved changes incorporated.

Longboat Key's Town Manager Tom Harmer speaks with Shaun Swartz, Manatee County Parks, and Natural Resources Environmental Specialist, about the new Vertical Oyster Garden Program. The program is a collaboration between Longboat Key, Manatee County, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START).

During warm weather, the amoeba Naegleria fowlerii is can be a threat to those swimming in fresh water bodies. This video discusses how to reduce one's exposure to it.

The objectives of this study, prepared for the Charlotte Harbor & Estero Bay Aquatic Preserves and using their data, were to evaluate changes in seagrass community based on transect level data using statistical analysis to identify potential drivers of change in characteristics of seagrass condition including species frequency/composition, abundance, transect length, ?deep edge? depth, density (shoot count), and associated macroalgal and epiphytic coverage.

When it comes to preserving our potable water supply for upcoming generations, water conservation is the first place to start. In this webinar, learn about where potable water comes from, why it is necessary to conserve, and what actions we can take as individuals to make an impact.

Water quality results for monitoring stations within the Lakewood Ranch Waterside development for calendar year 2021 including summary table, laboratory reports, and Surface Water Field Data Sheets.

Four hundred fifty-three taxa of marine flora and fauna were identified from 846 dredging stations in depths of 0.9 to 24.4 m. Specimens were collected during 1970 and 1971 1n conjunction with an exploratory clam survey using a hydraulic Nantucket clam dredge and a Maryland soft-shell escalator clam dredge. The majority of reported taxa are mollusks and crustaceans. All are listed by locality, depth, and numbers collected.

The Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection Watershed Information Network (WIN) environmental database is a repository for non-regulatory environmental data from providers across Florida, and replaces Florida STORET as an active data repository; both are used for data reporting. Data providers and users include federal, state and local agencies, academic institutions, volunteer organizations, private labs, and others. Users can select, view, and download data using the WIN website.

Short biographies of the speakers who presented at a half-day webinar hosted by CHNEP in December 2021 to address the causes and effects of sea level rise due to climate change.

Pond University is a podcast that brings together aquatic scientists, landowners and pond professionals to discuss topics such as pond habitat, fish stocking, vegetation control and pond construction. It is part of the larger podcast network Natural Resources University and is funded by the Renewable Resources Extension Act.

On October 5, 2021, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program hosted a virtual workshop to accelerate solutions for water quality recovery in Sarasota Bay. The workshop featured presentations from local government representatives and community innovators on projects that aim to reduce pollution entering the bay through infrastructure and nature-based solutions. (Visit SBEP's YouTube channel for links to individual presentations.)

The Sarasota Bay Watershed Plan Update is a collaboration of community stakeholders and water engineers to identify flooding and water quality hotspots in the watershed and develop a suite of possible projects that improve flood protection, water quality and natural systems in neighborhoods throughout the area.

Letter from the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection to Sarasota County, responding to the County's comments on the Department's biennial assessments of water quality. Concerns included accurate WBID boundary delineations, new nitrogen standard for Sarasota Bay, bacteria detection method, and naturally high phosphorus levels.

Florida?s Turnpike Enterprise was formed in 2002 as a business unit of the Florida Department of Transportation. It employs private sector business practices to operate its system of limited-access toll highways for the benefit of the traveling public.

Example of an enhanced stormwater basin, the Stormwater Ecological Enhancement Project (SEEP), on the UF campus, Gainesville, FL, part of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Florida video and document series from UF/IFAS Extension

Hear from experts about the science of water quality, local efforts, and action opportunities, in this update to the 2019 Sarasota County Water Quality Summit. Learn more: https://www.scgov.net (keywords: water quality).

Learn about the problem for pelicans (getting hooked or tangled on fishing gear) and how to rescue a bird if you accidentally hook one.

This report articulates the linkages between scenario-based and probabilistic projections of future sea levels for coastal-risk planning, management of long-lived critical infrastructure, mission readiness, and other purposes. The probabilistic projections discussed in this report recognize the inherent dependency (conditionality) of future GMSL rise on future greenhouse-gas emissions and associated ocean-atmosphere warming.

The right question is: What ARE Algae? Algae are photosynthetic organisms that have QUITE an impact to Life on Earth. From the Master Oxygen Producers to the deadly ?toxifiers,? let?s explore this diverse group and look at their fascinating life histories.

Get an inside look at how the Southwest Florida Water Management District's water quality monitoring program benefits the springs.

This document updates the original CCHMN Standard Operating Procedures approved in March 2014. The original CCHMN SOPs were built on the Southwest Florida Water Management District document "A Long-Term Water Quality Monitoring Design for Charlotte Harbor, Florida" (1995) and the CHNEP Long-Term Monitoring Strategy and Gap Analysis (2000).

Florida Atlantic University's Center for Environmental Studies (CES) partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey to develop a series of six online video modules that explain the science and challenges related to algal blooms, to improve communication among decision makers and stakeholders. Topics: 1) Introduction. 2) What Are Algae? 3) How Do Algae Live and Grow? 4) What Are Algal Blooms? 5) Impacts and Examples. 6) What Can We Do?

Local agriculture is threatened by changing land uses, with 53% fewer acres in crop production from 1982?2017. Today, 1,040 farms and ranches produce over $380 million worth of products. Climate factors may further threaten agricultural productivity and local food security. This video profiles Blackbeard's Ranch near Myakka City.