First benefits from the Littoral Zone discussions in Sarasota County

One of the first benefits to emerge for the initial Littoral Zone discussions is the new consolidated website for Resource Protection. User friendly with a wealth of knowledge just a click away. 

Still more steps in this process and for those who have the passion to become involved and enjoy Social interaction the NEST program is a great place to start. Lots of good advice and good people which I would highly recommend. From the new site...

The Sarasota County Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team, or NEST, promotes neighborhood involvement in environmentally friendly projects to protect and restore our shared water resources. The NEST program operates at the neighborhood-level to improve watershed-scale resources, and no matter where you are in Sarasota County, you are in one of the County's watersheds.

One of the NEST goals is to help citizens take an active role in evaluating the appearance and functionality of ponds and lakes by planting or maintaining appropriate watershed-friendly vegetation and trees along the banks or in the water.  Shoreline restorations will help to minimize bank erosion, improve water quality and provide wildlife, bird and fish habitat.  Shoreline restoration is an easy way to add beauty to your yard and neighborhood and help improve the health of the water bodies your stormwater impacts.  Remember that water from your pond may find its way downstream into our creeks, rivers, or bays so what you do can help to restore and protect our bays

To learn more about the NEST Program or to participate click here

An Ice Cube in the Heat... Downtown Sarasota eco artsy Parking Garage

Last week a trip up to Sarasota on a sultry humid evening to the "Ice Cube" (neat nickname) parking garage kick-off event which was simply brilliant, masses of green features, PV on the roof, Electric Charging stations (Steven King has apparently already checked them out), water conservation cisterns for landscape irrigation and two Chevy Volts on view. 
Maybe the best feature COULD be the opportunity for outdoor Special Events, there's certainly plenty of parking :)

and the view is particularly spectacular of Downtown and out to the Gulf... 

Red Tide returns... good grief!

to say that I’ve been a bit remiss in keeping my blog up-to-date would be an understatement to say the least but given the recession and steering through recessionary waters (no pun intended) has of course been an almost all time consuming affair. Still though a great deal of good things going on and my on going passion the Ocean to play on and keep in as pristine condition as possible.

On that note whilst Paddle Surfing last week the water clarity on Nokomis Beach was not the best as I had seen in awhile and there was a bit of the ‘fishy’ smell to-boot in a few area’s... mmmmm Red Tide? So low-and-behold it’s back at Nokomis Beach, also an article announcing its return in the Sarasota Herald... By Kate Spinner Published: Friday, December 18, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.

A red tide bloom that is strong enough to cause fish kills and coughing among beachgoers has been detected off the coast of Sarasota County near Nokomis beach.

Boaters, beachgoers and lifeguards have yet to spot any fish kills or report respiratory irritation, but the Sarasota County Health Department issued an advisory on the bloom Thursday.

On Dec 4th FWC gave the first inkling...SOUTHWEST COAST

Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week alongshore of Pinellas, Manatee, Lee or Collier counties or offshore of the Florida Keys (Monroe County). Three samples collected this week alongshore of Sarasota County (out of 27 total samples) and one sample collected alongshore of Charlotte County contained background concentrations of K. brevis.

Well we’ve had more rain and the occasional raw sewage turning up at the Jetties doesn’t help much either... 2010 mission?

Seagrass Survey Program Awards

Yesterday I enjoyed participating in the recognition of the work of Sea Grass Survey monitoring team at Sarasota County offices. Several of the commissioners were there including Jon Thaxton, Shannon Staub, Joe Barbetta and County Administrator Jim Ley all confirming their support of Sea Grass monitoring and other valuable volunteer programs in Sarasota County. Another example of what good positive partnerships can do for the community.

The next winter survey takes place in February if I remember correctly and I'll post the info as soon as I receive it. If you want to learn about sea grasses, marine life and the watershed, AND socialize and have a good time put it down on your to-do calendar.