Slither, Hiss, FUNgus, Play!
  A monthly e-newsletter sharing our nature news and events.

 

  

Get Your Play On in July!
Play is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle and Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources has the best places to play! We’re celebrating National Parks and Recreation Month by offering a variety of free opportunities to enjoy your favorite activities and parks while exploring some new ones!
Free activities include:
  • Parks Scavenger Hunt
  • Kid’s Summer Beach Runs
  • Historical Tours
  • Community Fireworks Show
  • Tennis at Payne Park Tennis Center on Fridays after 12 p.m.
  • Swimming at Arlington Park on Saturdays
  • and more!
Saturday Mornings at Shamrock Park Nature Center
Master Naturalist Janie Ewell will have ‘Flying Wild’ displays for families to experience hands-on activities about Florida birds, conservation and local birding resources for all ages. So bring the kids to the park and stop by the Nature Center and see us!
Saturdays, June 24,
July 1 and July 8,  9 a.m. – noon
3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
Guide: Master Naturalist
Janie Ewell
 
No registration needed.
Dr. C.B. Wilson Open House
Docents are available to answer 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, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4000 Honore Ave, Sarasota
 
No registration needed.
Demonstration Garden Tour at Shamrock Park
Join the master gardener volunteers as they provide free demonstration garden tours and advice on Florida gardening.
Meet at the central Demonstration Garden near the Nature Center.
Thursday, July 6,  9 a.m.
Demonstration Garden area
3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
 
No registration needed.
All welcome!
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, July 8,  9:30 – 11:30 a.m.    
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.
Full Moon Walk at Red Bug Slough
Join Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Jeff Weber on a moonlit hike as you learn about customs, superstitions and natural phenomena related to the moon. Bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Monday, July 10,  7:45 – 9:15 pm.
5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota
Space limited to 20
Ages 12 and up
Guide: Sarasota County Environmental Specialist
Register here for this event or call 941-861-5000.
Guided Historic Mansion Tour – Phillippi Estate Park 
Take a trip through the past with a guided tour of Edson Keith Mansion. This Italian Renaissance Mansion was built in 1916 as a private residence and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tour begins promptly at 10 am. Ages 12 and up accompanied by an adult.
Wednesdays, July 12 and 26
10 a.m.
5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
For details call 941-316-1309
 
No registration needed.
Slither and Hiss: Florida’s Snakes
Snakes have long been the objects of fascination, fear and even revulsion. In the natural world, snakes perform valuable environmental services that benefit other species and even the human population. Join a Sarasota County Parks Naturalist to learn about Florida’s variety of snakes, how to identify common snake species and how to live with snakes in your home landscape.Children Welcome!  Be prepared to see live snakes!
  
Thursday, July 13,  10:00 – 11:00 am.
8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
Space limited to 20
Guide: Sarasota County Parks Naturalist
Register here for this event
or call 941-861-5000.
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!
Friday, July 14,  8 – 10 a.m.
3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
Space limited to 20
Guide: Sarasota County Volunteers and
Park Naturalist
Register here for this event
or call 941-861-5000.
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.
Fridays, July 14, 21, 28
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota
Space unlimited
Guide: Sarasota County Staff
No registration needed.

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 which includes tax and spigot assembly. Cash or check accepted.

 

Saturday, July 15, 10 – 11 a.m.
3951 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice
Contact: David Pouso, Sarasota County Environmental Specialist,
941-861-5000

 

To register for this free class go toEventbrite.
Summer FUNgus Nature Walk at Pinecraft Park
Look beyond the wildflowers to the often overlooked seasonal diversity of mushrooms, lichen, shelf fungus and slime molds.
Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Ray Vinson as he explains the important role fungus plays in the hardwood forests of Southwest Florida.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and bring water and magnifying glass,
Tuesday, July 18,  9 – 11 a.m.
1420 Gilbert Ave., Sarasota
Guide: Sarasota County Parks Naturalist
Register here for this event
or call 941-861-5000.
 
Summer FUNgus Nature Walk at Sleeping Turtles Preserve North
Look beyond the wildflowers to the often overlooked seasonal diversity of mushrooms, lichen, shelf fungus and slime molds.
Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Ray Vinson as he explains the important role fungus plays in the hardwood forests of Southwest Florida.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and bring water and magnifying glass.
Wednesday, July 19,  9 – 11 a.m.
3462 Border Road, Venice
Guide: Sarasota County Parks Naturalist
Register here for this event
or call 941-861-5000.
 
How Prescribed Fire Benefits Habitats and Humans
Join Wildfire firefighters for a program on prescribed fire and how it benefits you, our wildlife and our natural areas. Learn how you can protect your home from wildfire, how wildlife survives a fire and the benefits of prescribed fire. The program will take place in the classroom, followed by a walk to the site of a recent wildfire.
Thursday July 27, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood
Space limited to 20
Guide: Sarasota County Staff
Register here for this event
or call 941-861-5000.
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!

 
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 a ‘household’ account to sign up for a free nature event.
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.

For more information on the three R’s for your home and business, visitSarasota County Solid Waste for useful information.
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.