SBEP Bay Guardians Win Sea Preservation Award from Keep Sarasota County Beautiful

SARASOTA, FL – The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) Bay Guardians were honored recently with the annual Sea Preservation Award from Keep Sarasota County Beautiful. The award was presented at a dinner held November 13 at the Venice Community Center. Many other local organizations and individuals were recognized at the special event.

The Bay Guardians is the area’s largest and most active volunteer program focused on Sarasota Bay. The program is managed by SBEP in partnership with Around the Bend Nature Tours. In 2013, the Bay Guardians completed volunteer projects at Jiggs Landing and Perico Preserve in Manatee County and North Water Tower Park and Bay Walk Creek in Sarasota County.

Upcoming 2014 Bay Guardian volunteer projects include an Air Potato Vine removal at Arlington Park on January 25, a native planting along the Braden River at Jiggs Landing February 8, a rain garden planting project at New College of Florida March 15, and a joint volunteer outing with Tampa Bay Estuary Program to plant natives at Perico Preserve April 12. All of the projects take place in the morning followed by a picnic lunch provided by SBEP.

The Bay Guardians are a family-friendly volunteer program managed by SBEP in partnership with Around the Bend Nature Tours. New volunteers receive a blue tee shirt featuring the Bay Guardians logo. Each outing features environmental education and a picnic lunch. Join the Bay Guardians for a single project or as an ongoing commitment. Local school, scout and church groups interested in volunteering should contact Stephanie Hames at info@sarasotabay.org