September in our Parks
| A monthly e-newsletter sharing our nature news and events |
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Demonstration Garden Tours at Shamrock Park
Join the master gardener volunteers as they provide free demonstration garden tours and advice on Florida gardening. Meet at the central garden area near the Nature Center. Thursday, September 3, 9 -10 a.m.
 3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
No registrations necessary.
For information call 941-861-5000.
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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 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 Lemon Bay.
Saturday, September 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood
Guide: Chuck Idelberger, American Littoral
Society Biologist
To register for this event. please call Chuck Idelberger directly at 941-488-8998.
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Walk through the Flatwoods and Scrub
with Denny and Al
Enjoy a leisurely walk on the west side of Manasota Scrub Preserve, exploring regions seldom traveled by regular visitors. Sarasota County volunteer guides, amateur botanists and Florida Native Plant Society members, Denny Girard and Al Squires will share their knowledge of what is thriving within the preserve, while leading you to a delightful wetland area. You just never know what you may discover.
Wednesday, September 16, 9-11 a.m.
 2695 Bridge St., Englewood
Space limited to 20.
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YOU’RE INVITED!
Nora Patterson Bay Island Park Renaming Dedication
Help us celebrate as we rename Bay Island Park to Nora Patterson Bay Island Park honoring Sarasota County’s former commissioner Nora Patterson for her many years of community service. A short ceremony at the park will feature local dignitaries.
Friday, September 18, 10 a.m.
946 Siesta Drive, Siesta Key,
 Sarasota
For more information, call or email Debby Zeilman at 941-861-5000 ordzeilman@scgov.net.
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Monthly Rain Barrel Workshop and Sales Saturday, September 19, 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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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 (ending October 22) on a stroll to explore the annual rhythms and cycles of Shamrock Park. Meet on the deck of the Nature Center building. Thursday, September 24, 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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 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!National Public Lands Day at Woodmere Park
Helping Hands for America’s Lands –
A national volunteer effort to help improve
your parks. Locally, volunteers are needed to spruce up Woodmere Park in Venice. Choose from a great range of needed projects. Families are encouraged to join.
Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
3951 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice
Space limited to 30.
For more information on NPLD throughout the nation, go tohttp://www.publiclandsday.org
To volunteer, call or email Debby Zeilman at 941-861-5000 ordzeilman@scgov.net.
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Full Lunar Eclipse Experience!
Join Sarasota County staff to watch the full lunar eclipse from Sarasota’s only ‘big hill’ located at the Celery Fields. Bring a light chair and/or a blanket and a snack to enjoy the celestial exhibition. We’ll meet in the parking lot at 8:30 p.m. and walk to the top of the hill at 8:45 p.m. The eclipse begins at 9:07 p.m. and peaks at 10:47 p.m.
Sunday, September 27, 8:30 – 11 p.m.
 6893 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota
Space unlimited.
Guide: Ray Vinson, Sarasota County Parks Naturalist
Register here for this event.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Phillippi Farmhouse Market
Sponsor: Friends of Sarasota County Parks (FOSCP)
Local fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants for sale as well as local foods and artisan crafts. Enjoy live music and free parking. Plenty of volunteers ready to assist you. Pets on a leash are always welcome at the market.
Wednesday’s starting October 7, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. through April
5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
 For more information on the Phillippi
Farmhouse Market or how to become
a vendor: Call 941-275-9397 or emailpresident@gracew11.sg-host.com.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Florida Native Plant Society (Mangrove Chapter)
Public Speaker Series
Local experts will conduct presentations on a range of topics that you are sure to enjoy.
Tuesday, October 13, 7-9 p.m.
Identification of Various Species of Goldenrod
Speakers: Al Squires & Denny Girard
Tuesday, November 10, 7-9 p.m.
What a Master Gardener Learns about Native Plants
Speaker: Vickie Lowe
 Classroom
570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood
For more information email:
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SAVE THE DATE:
Palates and Palettes: Farm to Fork Benefit Dinner
Farm to Fork Dinner is a unique fundraiser that will benefit the renovation of the historic Keith Farmhouse. The farmhouse was the first building erected on the estate in 1916 and will be restored as an interpretive center, open to the public.
Chef Paul Mattison will be working with the Phillippi Chapter of the Friends of Sarasota County Parks to provide a delicious dinner featuring local agriculture and fine wines. Step back in time with live music from the 1916’s Farmhouse era and on, that will be provided by Sal Garcia.
Sarasota’s Light Chasers, plein air painting artists, will be painting during the cocktail hour. You will have a chance to purchase their paintings right off the easel with a portion of their sales donated to the restoration work.
Sunday, November 15, 4:30 –8:30 p.m.
 5500 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota
Fee
For more information or how to purchase tickets, please contact: Priscilla Brown,pbrown@scgov.net, or call
941-915-1149 (texting unavailable).
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Attention All Photographers:Do you have a beautiful bird photo to share?
The Herald Tribune is seeking beautiful bird photographs to share on their on-line gallery..
Send your best pictures tophoto@heraldtribune.com and The Herald Tribune staff just may include your photo in this wonderful on-line bird gallery.
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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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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. Thank you for caring. For more information on the three R’s for your home and business, visitSarasota County Solid Waste for useful information. |
 About UsSarasota County
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
1660 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, Florida 34236
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