It Takes a Village: New Community Initiative Connects Cortez’s Working Waterfront

It Takes a Village: New Community Initiative Connects Cortez’s Working Waterfront to a Healthy Sarasota Bay

 

Cortez, FL (January 21, 2026) — The Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS), in partnership with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) and with additional support from the Florida Maritime Museum, is launching It Takes a Village, a community education initiative that highlights the connection between a healthy estuary, sustainable seafood, and Cortez’s historic working waterfront. Through bilingual signage, restaurant table cards, walking guides, a new web page, and public events, the project encourages residents and visitors to learn how everyday actions can help protect Sarasota Bay. “Our grant from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program has made it possible for us to move forward with our mission of preserving Cortez by focusing on maintaining a healthy estuary – a key element of our Village’s commercial fishing tradition. This incredible estuary has been a food source for humans for thousands of years and the backbone of the Cortez economy for over a century. Now we will connect thousands of “boat to table” seafood customers, Village residents, and visitors with an opportunity to help in large and small ways. Bottom line – a healthy estuary is essential to our cultural and economic survival,” said Cindy Rodgers, President of CVHS.

The project will be introduced during Cortez: Coffee, Culture & Conservation on Saturday, January 31, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, hosted by SBEP, the CVHS, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH), and Florida Sea Grant/UF/IFAS Extension. The program will include a discussion of It Takes a Village and its goals, followed by a guided tour of the restored FISH Preserve featuring its new trails and bridges. This nearly 100-acre coastal preserve, protected through decades of community effort, has been restored to improve estuarine habitat and public access, with recent enhancements made possible by support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Attendees will also be invited to take a self-guided tour of Cortez using the new map featuring places of interest, key environmental features and our boat-to-table restaurants and markets.

“The Cortez community is an important partner for SBEP. Residents deeply care about the health and cultural significance of their local environment, and their new educational initiative, It Takes a Village, along with their stewardship of the FISH Preserve, exemplifies that commitment,” said Megan Barry, Public Outreach Manager for SBEP.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Visit sarasotabay.org/events to learn more and register.

 

Figure 1: An aerial image of FISH Preserve (2022) Credit: SBEP

### About the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program: The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is a cooperative partnership among communities, researchers, and governments that strives to improve the health of Sarasota Bay and enhance the area's natural resources for public benefit. Learn more at www.sarasotabay.org

 

Media Contact:

Megan Barry, Public Outreach Manager

megan@sarasotabay.org