Schedule announced for First Annual SeagrassFest Apr. 30

First Annual Sarasota Bay SeagrassFest hosted by Sarasota Bay Estuary Program & Sarasota County

The public is invited to join the First Annual Sarasota Bay SeagrassFest at Ken Thompson Park, Sarasota on April 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. In celebration of the record-breaking data showing a 5.6% (700 acre) increase in seagrasses in Sarasota Bay between 2012-2014 and the most seagrass coverage since the 1950s, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program will bring together its government partners, community organizations, and area residents and visitors for a FREE, fun, educational event. The event will include boat rides, free water activities, hands-on seagrass educational exhibits, games, music, food and more. Elected officials and national agency representatives will provide insight into government initiatives that help to protect water quality and restore the seagrasses, supporting all life in the Bay.

SeagrassFest will be held in partnership with Sarasota County’s Second Annual Seagrass Survey, where volunteers will take to the waters in Sarasota Bay to count and identify seagrasses and collect data for the County’s Seagrass Monitoring Program.

Schedule (subject to change):
•  8 a.m.–1 p.m. – Seagrass Survey
•  10 a.m. – SeagrassFest starts (music, water activities, exhibits ongoing)
•  11:30 a.m. – Comments by partner representatives (EPA, SWFWMD, FDEP, Sarasota County, City of Sarasota, others)
•  12:30 p.m. – Additional comments/thanks
•  1:30 p.m. – Ceremonial seagrass planting