| Birding, nature walks, kayaking, bicycling, Little Naturalists, guided tours, dragonflies, butterflies, and much more: A monthly e-newsletter sharing Sarasota County Natural Lands and Parks news and events. So much to do… |
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Be A Part of the Grand Opening Celebration!
Be a part of history and attend the Scherer Thaxton Preserve grand opening. This is the newest preserve addition to Sarasota County’s conservation lands. The public is invited to enjoy 287 acres of trails through pine flatwoods, depressional wetlands, mesic hammock with wild flowers throughout, including a mile marked exercise trail around the lake. The celebration will have guest speakers, a brief ribbon cutting ceremony, light refreshments while they last, and guided nature walks.
Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.- noon
13125 Honore Ave, Nokomis
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Birding Diversity
Calling all birding enthusiasts! Be tantalized and wowed by the vast array of bird species and nature found at the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve). Join Sarasota County volunteer Charlie Sample as he leads you on a birding nature journey . Don’t miss this opportunity to help document the array of birds. You won’t be disappointed!
Sunday, May 4, 7:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Space limited to 14.
Guide: Charlie Sample, Sarasota County volunteerPre-registration necessary via email to Charlie Sample atcsample41@verizon.net.
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Little Naturalist Field Trip For Youth Group
Looking for an outdoor education field trip for your summer camp, scout troop or civic club? Then bring your youth to connect with nature in fun, creative ways at Sarasota County Government’s youth nature program, The Little Naturalist. All groups must be registered and accompanied by camp counselors, chaperones, parents and/or adult guardians.
Tuesday, May 6, 10-11 a.m.
3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice
Space limited to 18 children.
Guides: Sarasota County Park Naturalists
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| What’s That? Plant and Wildlife ID HikeBe our guest on a nature hike from upland habitats to the shores of Shakett Creek with a search to discover a variety of plant and animal species including live oaks, eastern red cedars, cabbage palms, bracken ferns, osprey, wading birds and other wildlife common to the area. You never know what you will find!
Tuesday, May 6, 9-11 a.m.
Pocono Trail Preserve
189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist |
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 sea grass beds, observing, collecting, and discussing the natural history of some of the many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit the bay.
Saturday, May 10, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 
Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center
570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Chuck Idelberger, Sarasota County volunteer |
Bike the Wild Carlton!
Please join Sarasota County volunteer guides and SCORR (Sarasota County Off-Road Riders) members for a fun bike excursion while you enjoy the wild and challenging wilderness of the beautiful T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve).
Saturday, May 10, 9-11 a.m.
T. Mabry Carlton Jr., Memorial Reserve
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guide: Randy Hurley, Sarasota County volunteer |
Beautiful Renewal After the Burn
Join Sarasota County volunteers Denny Girard and Al Squires as you hikethrough recently burned habitats at Old Miakka Preserve, while searching for signs of renewed growth. While exploring the preserve’s network of trails, visitors may see diverse natural communities – including scrub, pine flatwoods and seasonal wetlands. Along the way, you will enjoy boundless knowledge of botany and history of the area.
Wednesday, May 14, 9-11 a.m.
251 Myakka Road, Sarasota
Space limited to 20.
Guides: Denny Girard and Al Squires,Sarasota County volunteers
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Take a Woodland Stroll at the Pocono
Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Jeff Weber as he leads participants on a woodland stroll from upland habitats to the shores of Shakett Creek at Pocono Trail Preserve in Nokomis. Along the way, participants may see a variety of plant and animal species including live oaks, eastern red cedars, cabbage palms, bracken ferns, osprey, wading birds and other wildlife common to the area.
Wednesday, May 14, 9-11 a.m.
189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist
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DRAGONFLIES!
Would you believe there are over 50 species of dragonflies and damselflies that call Sarasota County home? Join Kathy and Don Hess, Sarasota County volunteers and amateur odonatists, at Sarasota’s urban get-away, Red Bug Slough Preserve to learn more about these fascinating creatures and enjoy their amazing vibrant colors and flight skills!
 Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.-noon 5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota
Space limited to 15.
Guides: Don and Kathy Hess,
Sarasota County volunteers
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EVENT: Monthly Rain Barrel Workshop and Sales
Saturday, May 17, 10-11 a.m. 
3951 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice
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 of rain barrels will be provided.
After the class, rain barrels are available for sale for $37 each, including tax and spigot assembly. Payment can be made by cash or check. To register for the free class, please use the IFAS link on the right hand side of this newsletter.
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Family Bike AdventuresGot bikes? It’s perfect weather to grab the whole family for an off-road wilderness bicycle ride through the beautiful Carlton Reserve. Expect to see lots of wildlife!
Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m.-noon
T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice
Space limited to 12.
Guides: David Reynolds and family,
Sarasota County volunteers
Pre-registration required by calling David Reynolds at
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The Hunt for Ripe, Shiny Blueberries at
Manasota Scrub Preserve
Enjoy a leisurely walk on the west side of Manasota Scrub Preserve exploring regions seldom traveled by the regular visitors. Sarasota County volunteers, amateur botanists and Florida Native Plant Society members, Denny Girard and Al Squires will show plant detectives where to find the ripe, shiny blueberries along with many species thriving within the preserve. You never know what you may discover.
Wednesday, May 21, 9-11 a.m.
2695 Bridge Street, Englewood
Space limited to 20.
Guides: Denny Girard / Al Squires, Sarasota volunteer guides
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| What’s That? Evening Plant and Animal ID Hike Be our guest as Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Jeff Weber leads you on an evening nature hike from upland habitats to the shores of Shakett Creek at Pocono Trail Preserve in Nokomis. Along the way, the search will help you discover a variety of plant and animal species including live oaks, eastern red cedars, cabbage palms, bracken ferns, osprey, wading birds and other wildlife common to the area. You never know what you will find!
Wednesday, May 28, 6-8 p.m.
Pocono Trail Preserve
189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Jeff Weber,
Environmental Specialist |
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About Us
Sarasota County Government
Natural Resources
1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34240
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Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic information. Persons with disabilities who require assistance or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), or who wish to file a complaint, should contact: Sarasota County ADA/ Civil Rights Coordinator, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34236, Phone: 941-861-5000, TTY: 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771, Email: adacoordinator@scgov.net |
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