Bay Guardians to Support Watershed Improvement Day at Emerson Point Preserve May 12

SARASOTA, FL – Bay Guardian volunteers will be participating in a Watershed Improvement Day Saturday morning on May 12 at Emerson Point Preserve located at the mouth of the Manatee River. The Bay Guardians will work with professional staff from Manatee County Natural Resources and guides with Around the Bend Nature Tours. In addition to planting native Florida plants, the volunteers will remove debris and make portable “Stow It-Don’t Throw It” monofilament containers. SBEP will provide a picnic lunch for the volunteers.

The Florida-native plants are being donated by the Elizabeth Eaton Fund through the Manatee Garden Club and materials for the portable monofilament containers are being donated by the West Coast Inland Navigational District.

Last June, 55 adult and youth volunteers with the Bay Guardians planted hundreds of plants at the 365-acre preserve. Participating groups included Bradenton Boy Scout Troop 111 and the Marine Scene 4h Marine Science Club. Emerson Point Preserve is rich in environmental beauty and Native American history. Volunteers can explore the shady mangroves and tropical hammock as well as shell middens and the Native American Portavant Temple Mound.

Anyone can be a Bay Guardian for a single project or an ongoing commitment. Interested adults and youth can learn more and volunteer online at sarasotabay.org. Local Scouting troops, school environmental clubs and churches interested in volunteering as a group should contact Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org.