2017 Volunteer Seagrass Survey is Saturday!

Join Sarasota County for the 3nd Annual Sarasota County Seagrass Survey on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron (1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236). The Seagrass Survey is from 8:00am - 1:00pm (sign-in/packet pick-up for registered volunteers begins at 7:30am). If you can't volunteer for the survey, you can still join in the land-based fun, featuring hands-on activities, music, food, and more from 11am - 3:00pm. This year's event is hosted by Sarasota County and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.

The Seagrass Survey is a FREE citizen science event that celebrates Sarasota County’s commitment to its water resources and focuses on increasing awareness of the economic and environmental value of seagrass habitat. Survey volunteers will take to the waters around Sarasota Bay to count and identify seagrass species, in an effort to collect data for the County's Seagrass Monitoring Program. Registered volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and free lunch voucher (redeemable at one of the food truck vendors present at the event).

Free public parking is available at Ken Thompson Park (1700 Ken Thompson Parkway), across from the entrance to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

Seagrass Survey & Festivities Agenda:
7:30am - 8:00am: Volunteer Sign-In/Packet & Equipment Pick-up.
8:00am - 9:00am: Volunteer Orientation & Training.
9:00am - 12:00pm: Data Collection (Survey).
11:00am - 3:00pm: Educational exhibits, hands-on activities, music, food, and more! FREE and open to the public.
12:00pm: Volunteers Return (Check-In). Each survey volunteer will receive a free lunch voucher that can be used at any food truck vendor at the SeagrassFest upon checking data sheets & field equipment back in.
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Seagrass Survey Volunteer Luncheon.

For more information, please visit:
Sarasota County Government: http://www.scgov.net (search "seagrass")
Sarasota County Water Atlas: http://www.sarasota.wateratlas.usf.edu/seagrass/