Estuary Program Presents Blue Dolphin Awards

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) hosted the first ever Sarasota Bay Awards Program Wednesday, April 4 at Powel Crosley Mansion. More than 140 guests attended including community leaders and representatives with many organizations involved with restoring and protecting Sarasota Bay.

Blue Dolphin Awards were presented to the following individuals and groups: Charles Edwards, a long term volunteer member of the SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee, Jack Merriam, the recently retired environmental manager with Sarasota County, Martha B. King Middle School in Bradenton, a major supporter of the Bay Guardians volunteer program managed by SBEP in partnership with Around the Bend Nature Tours, Raindrops Cisterns, a Sarasota business focused on rainwater harvesting and water storage solutions, and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, a non-profit group that has protected sea turtles, shorebirds and their habitat for more than three decades

Local commissioners that serve on the SBEP Policy Board presented the awards. They included Sarasota Commissioner Jon Thaxton, Manatee Commissioner Michael Gallen, City of Bradenton Commissioner Marianne Barnebey, and Town of Longboat Key Commissioner Lynn Larson. Mark Alderson, the Director of SBEP also presented an award. Sara Kane with SBEP welcomed the guests and Randy Moore, the owner of Triple 3 Marketing, served as the master of ceremonies.

The event sponsors included Stantec, Reef Innovations, Inc. Scheda Ecological Associates, Janicki Environmental, Inc. and Triple 3 Marketing, LLC.

Photo: Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton with Jack Merriam.