| A monthly e-newsletter sharing our nature news and events |
Birding Diversity at the Carlton Reserve
Calling all birding enthusiasts! Be tantalized and wowed by the vast array of bird species and nature found at the beautiful Carlton Reserve. Join local birder, Charlie Sample, as he leads you on a birding nature journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to help document the multitude of bird species on the Carlton Reserve outback. You won’t be disappointed!
Sunday, May 3, 7:15 a.m.-1 p.m. .JPG)
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice
Space limited to 14.
Guide: Charlie Sample, Sarasota County Volunteer
Register here for this event.
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Sarasota County Sustainability
The State of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Sarasota County:
A Sustainable Communities Conversation
Do you care about Sustainable Energy? Are you interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy in the built environment?
Join us for this free workshop. A panel of local energy experts and industry representatives will discuss trends in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Sarasota County over the last ten years and what the future might hold. Following the panel discussion, attendees will be asked to share their thoughts and identify what they see as the highest priority issues on the topic of energy.
The results of the discussion will feed into a Sustainability Assessment report. Register today to ensure your voice is heard in this important conversation.
Monday, May 4, 3:30-5 p.m.
Twin Lakes Park
Green Building, 6700 Clark Rd., Sarasota
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Take a Stroll on the Pocono
Join Jeff Weber as he leads you on a leisurely stroll through the shady woodlands at Pocono Trail Preserve. Enjoy the beautiful live oak and cabbage palm hammocks and the occasional glimpses of wading birds along the shoreline at Shakett Creek, and learn about the historical significance of this interesting area.
Wednesday, May 6, 9-11 a.m. 
189 Pocono Trail E., Nokomis
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Sarasota County Environmental Specialist
Register here for this event.
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Demonstration Garden Tours at Shamrock Park
Master gardener volunteers will be giving free demonstration garden tours and advice on Florida gardening. Meet at the central garden area near the Nature Center.
Thursday, May 7, 9 -11 a.m. 
3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
No registrations necessary.For information call 941-861-5000.
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Festival Of Roses
Roses, Roses, Roses! Just in time for Mother’s Day!
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources together with The Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society are please to invite you to a FREE Festival of Roses. Look what’s happening:
- Old Garden Rose Tour (Over 70 to see!)
- Rose arrangements made by Rose Society members
- Classes on simplified rose selection and care in Florida
- Sale of roses (Both cut rose bouquets, rose arrangements and rose bushes on sale while they last)
- Free seminars with the Rose Doctor that will diagnose your rose growing issues
Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 Edson Keith Mansion at
5500 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota
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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 us 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 many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit the bay.
Saturday, May 9, 9:30 -11:30 a.m.
570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood
Space is unlimited.
Guide: Chuck Idelberger, American Littoral Society Biologist
To register for this event: Please call Chuck Idelberger at
941-488-8998 for details.
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Monthly Rain Barrel Workshop and Sales
Saturday, May 16, 10-11 a.m. 
6700 Clark Road, Sarasota
Contact: David Pouso, Environmental Specialist
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 for sale for $37 each, includes tax and spigot assembly. Cash or check accepted.
To register for this free class go to Eventbrite.
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Family Bike Adventures at the Carlton Reserve
Got bikes? It’s perfect weather to grab the whole family to join volunteer guides David Reynolds and Gary Vasbinder for an off-road wilderness bicycle ride through the beautiful Carlton Reserve. Expect to see lots of wildlife! Must be able to ride an off-road type bicycle.
Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice
Space limited to 12
Guides: David Reynolds and Gary Vasbinder
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A Walk Among the Mangroves with Denny and Al
Join amateur botanists and Florida Native Plant Society members, Denny Girard and Al Squires as they lead you on a walk among the mangroves at Englewood’s Lemon Bay Park. As you hike, you will enjoya mangrove forest and a mangrove fringe with wonderful views of Lemon Bay. You may also encounter native plants and animals, a variety of shore birds, and birds of prey, like bald eagle and osprey.
Wednesday, May 20, 9-11 a.m. 
570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood
Space limited to 20.
Guides: Denny Girard and Al Squires, Sarasota County volunteers
Register here for this event.
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What’s Blooming, Buzzing and Hatching
at Shamrock Park?
Ever wonder where wildflowers bloom – and when? How many kinds of butterflies and dragonflies live here? Or which eggs, like the gopher tortoise’s, may be hatching? And when do Florida scrub-jays learn to fly? Join park naturalist Brooke Elias on ‘fourth Thursday’s (endingOctober 22) on a stroll to explore the annual rhythms and cycles of Shamrock Park. Meet on the deck of the Nature Center building.
Thursday, May 28, 9 -11 a.m. 
3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guide: Brooke Elias, Sarasota County Park Naturalist
Register here for this event.
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 Please remember the 3 R’s.Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle, when visiting your parks and natural lands!
Please use appropriate containers for recycles and trash.
When visiting a preserve or natural land where there are limited trash receptacles, please remember to ‘Pack it in. Pack it out.’ Leave nothing but your footprints. Thank you for caring.
For more information on the three R’s for your home and business, visit Sarasota County Solid Waste for useful information.
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| Registration Process for Nature Events
Look for ‘View Activities’ (if you already have an account), orSIGN UP HERE (if you need to open up a
new household account).
Attached here are directions to help you set up an account to sign up for a free nature event.
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 About Us Sarasota County
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
1660 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, Florida 34236
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