August is here – Parks as fitness portal
  A monthly e-newsletter sharing our nature news and events.
 

WEB SITE
UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
 
The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources portion of the Sarasota County web site is under construction at this time. We apologize if you are experiencing trouble accessing parks pages. Please be patient. New pages with park information, amenities and maps are coming soon! Thank you.
Demonstration Garden Tour at Shamrock Park
Join the master gardener volunteers as they provide free demonstration garden tours and advice on Florida gardening. Plan on 1 to 2 hours for this event, depending on weather and other factors. Meet at the central Demonstration Garden near the Nature Center.
Thursday, August 3,  9 a.m.
Shamrock Park and Nature Center
Demonstration Garden area
3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
 
No registration needed.
All welcome! 
Dr. C.B. Wilson Open House
Docents are available to answer your questions as you tour the first floor of the historic Dr. C.B. Wilson House. Learn about Dr. Wilson and other fascinating historical aspects of Sarasota County. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. These free open house tours are available Saturdays through October 2017.
Saturdays, August 5, 12, 19, 26
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Urfer Family Park
4000 Honore Ave, Sarasota
 
No registration needed. 
Fitness in the Park: Fit as a Fiddle for 50-plus
Looking for an opportunity to get a little fresh air, meet new people and get healthier and stronger? Join us for a walk to improve health, balance and overall fitness. Enjoy the exercise stations (especially for walkers 50-plus) along the trail. This is a gentle workout and not for advanced fitness buffs. The goal: to strengthen muscles, help minimize the risk of falls, instill a sense of well-being and quality of life through exercise and companionship. Wear comfortable athletic shoes and sun protection and/or hat and bring water. Be prepared to walk 1 – 2 miles on paved and relatively even unpaved trails.
Friday’s, August  4, 11, 18, 25 
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Urfer Family Park
4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota
Space unlimited
Guide: Sarasota County Staff
No registration needed.
Seasons and Serendipity Stroll at Shamrock Park
Join Sarasota County Volunteers, Master Naturalists and Shamrock Park Staff to stroll the trails of Shamrock Park. Learn how Florida’s changing seasons bring us new flowers and birds’ nests, insects and animal activity. A little serendipity will find things in unexpected places! Plan on 1 to 2 hours for this event depending on weather and other factors.
Friday, August 11,  8 a.m.
Shamrock Park and Nature Center
3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
Space limited to 20
Guide: Sarasota County Volunteers and
Park Naturalist
Register here for this event. 
Join the Lemon Bay F.I.S.H. Project
Calling all F.I.S.H. – Folks Interested in Submerged Habitats!
Get a little wet, have a little fun and learn a lot! Join American Littoral Society Biologist, Chuck Idelberger, on a search for marine life in Lemon Bay. Using hand and seine nets, you will search shallow waters and seagrass beds, observing, collecting, and discussing the natural history of some of the many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit the bay.
Saturday, August 12,  9:30 – 11:30 a.m.     
Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center
570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood
Space is unlimited.
Guide: Chuck Idelberger, American
Littoral Society Biologist
 
For registration, please call Chuck Idelberger directly at 941-488-8998.

Monthly Rain Barrel Workshop and Sales

 

Learn how the use of rain barrels can conserve water, save money by reducing the use of potable water in landscapes (lower utility bills), and reduce stormwater runoff by storing and diverting runoff from impervious surfaces (roofs). Practical tips on the construction and installation will be provided. Rain barrels will be for sale for $37 each, includes tax and spigot assembly. Cash or check accepted.

 

Saturday, August 19, 10 – 11 a.m.
Twin Lakes Park
6700 Clark Rd., Sarasota
Contact: David Pouso, Sarasota County Environmental Specialist, 941-861-5000

 

To register for this free class go to Eventbrite.
For more nature based events for you and your family, please be sure to visit the links on the right column of this newsletter.

 

Go outside

and play!

 
Please remember the 3 R’s.
Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle, when visiting your parks and environmental lands!

Please use appropriate containers for recycles and trash.

When visiting a preserve or environmental land where there are limited trash receptacles, please remember to ‘Pack it in. Pack it out.’

Leave nothing but your footprints and thank you for caring.

National Public Lands
Day is almost here!
.
 

Look for our September issue to participate in National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance America’s public lands, happening at Woodmere Park on September 30.
Volunteer!
Become a
Sarasota County volunteer!
Meaningful opportunities and
flexible hours available for people of all ages. Together, we can build a better community! For information email bcanales@scgov.net.
Be sure to check out
more activities by visiting the links below:
 
Check out Park’s happenings!
University of Florida/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Education Schedule
FNPS/Mangrove
Chapter Events!
 For more information on the Florida Native Plant Society/Mangrove Chapter email fnpsmangrovechapter@yahoo.com
or call 941-769-3633.
Sarasota Bay EstuaryProgram Events!
 For more information on nature outings click here.
About Us
Sarasota County
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
1660 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, Florida 34236
941-861-5000, pthistle@scgov.net
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Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at www.scgov.net/ADA.Persons with disabilities, who require assistance or wish to file a complaint, should contact the Sarasota County ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator by mail at 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34236 or by phone at 941-861-5000.