| A monthly e-newsletter sharing our news and events |
| Woodland stroll
Join us as we lead you on a woodland stroll from upland habitats to the shores of Shakett Creek in Nokomis. Along the way, you will 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.
Saturday, March 1, 9-11 a.m.
Pocono Trail Preserve
189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist |
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Little Naturalist field trip for youth groups
Looking for an outdoor education field trip for your class, scout troop or civic club? Then bring your youth to connect with nature in fun, creative ways at Sarasota County’s youth nature program, The Little Naturalist. The program includes a variety of hands-on nature themed activities, a snack and story.
Tuesday, March 4, 10-11 a.m.
5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota
Space limited to 18 children.
Guides: Sarasota County Park Naturalists
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Sunrise bird walk
Join us in a sunrise birding adventure that will lead participants through pine and scrubby flatwoods with wonderful views of Lemon Bay during your hike.Along the way you may encounter native plants and animals, a variety of shore birds (such as anhinga and snowy egret) and birds of prey (like bald eagle and osprey).
Wednesday, March 5, 8-10 a.m.
570 Bay Park Blvd., Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guides: Sarasota Park Naturalists and Sarasota volunteers
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| Lunch and Learn: Even small sites can be significant
Pack a picnic lunch and lawn chair to join us as we provide an informative presentation on the ecology and history of the site. Afterwards, stay for a short hike through the preserve (once the site of the famed 1922 Pollyanna Inn) enjoying oak hammocks, eastern red cedars, cabbage palms, Boston ferns, and a variety of native plants and animals.
Tuesday, March 5, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Pocono Trail Preserve
189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist |
| Bike the wild Carlton Join Sarasota County volunteer guides and SCORR (Sarasota County Off-Road Riders) members for a challenging bike excursion while enjoying the wild wilderness of a true Sarasota County gem. For the whole family!
Saturday, March 8, 9-11 a.m.
T. Mabry Carlton Jr., Memorial Reserve
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guides: Randy Hurley and Steve Christian, Sarasota County volunteers |
| 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 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, March 8, 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 |
| Birding diversity with Charlie SampleCalling all birding enthusiasts! Be tantalized and wowed by the vast array of bird species and nature. Don’t miss this opportunity to help document the array of birds found at the Carlton. You won’t be disappointed!
Sunday, March 9, 7:15 a.m. – 1 p.m.
T. Mabry Carlton Jr., Memorial Reserve
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice
Space limited to 14.
Guide: Charlie Sample, Sarasota County volunteer
Pre-registration necessary via email to Charlie Sample atcsample41@verizon.net. |
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What’s that?!? A plant and animal ID hike
Join super sleuth Jeff Weber as he leads you on an informative journey of discovery through pine flatwoods and oak hammocks highlighting both native and non-native plants and animals of the preserve.
Monday, March 10, 9-11 a.m.
1500 Pinebrook Road, Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist
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In search of small wildflowers with Denny and Al
Explore the south end with Denny and Al, enjoying the preserve’s meandering lake trails canopied by old live oaks and pines. It’s early Spring and the trek may find early bloomers such as Walter’s Viburnum, pawpaws and both kinds of Lyonia. Who knows the kinds of small wildflowers that will be blooming for you to identify?
Wednesday, March 12, 9-11 a.m.
2800 N. River Road, Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guides: Denny Girard and Al Squires,
Sarasota County volunteers
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| DRAGONFLIES!
Would you believe there are over 50 species of dragonflies that call Sarasota County home? To learn more about these fascinating creatures and enjoy their vibrant colors and amazing flight skills, join us while you hike on a unique piece of natural land inside the City of Sarasota.
 Saturday, March 15, 10:30 a.m.-noon 4000 Honore Avenue, Sarasota
Space limited to 15.
Guides: Don and Kathy Hess,
Sarasota County volunteers
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| Beginning birding for families
Calling all birding families! Bring your family to join in on a birding nature journey into the wild. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from expert birders how to identify and document the vast array of birds on site.
Saturday, March 15, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice
Space limited to 14.
Guides: Venice Area Audubon and
Sarasota County volunteers
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Monthly Rain Barrel Workshop and sales
Saturday, March 15, 10-11 a.m. 
Longwood Park
6050 Longwood Blvd., 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 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. |
| Family bike adventures
Got 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, March 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.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
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| What’s that?!? Plant and wildlife ID walk
Join us as we lead you on a nature hike from upland habitats to the shores of Shakett Creek in Nokomis. Along the way, you will 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.
Tuesday, March 18, 9-11 a.m.
Pocono Trail Preserve
189 Pocono Trail, Nokomis
Space limited to 15.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist |
| A walk along the river with Denny and Al
Enjoy meandering canopied river trails on this pleasant walk along the Wild and Scenic Myakka River, awaiting surprises that may come as winter eases into Spring. Surprises like Pepper grass, Lawn Orchids and even a few Bitterweed have been seen hurrying the season, while a myriad of small flowers can be seen popping up. Turtles and alligators are getting spring fever and should be on the move as well as many species of birds.
Wednesday, March 26, 9-11 a.m.
Sleeping Turtles Preserve North
3462 Border Rd., Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guides: Denny Girard and Al Squires,
Sarasota County volunteers |
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Lunch and Learn: The preserve’s changing landscape
Bring your lunch and lawn chair to join us for a lunch time learning session on the successional changes that have occurred from historic landscapes to the current habitats we now enjoy. Afterwards, stay for a guided short hike to view the forested areas of the site.
Thursday, March 27, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Curry Creek Preserve
1075 Albee Farm Road, Venice
Space limited to 20.
Guide: Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist
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| Discover Blind Pass Beach to Bay Walk
Learn how water, wind, sand and living things interact to create our beautiful barrier islands (keys as we call them). The biological emphasis will be on habitats (beach, dune, coastal hammock and mangrove). An easy two-hour stroll on beach, boardwalk, and trail.
 Saturday, March 29, 9-11 a.m.Location confirmed at time of registration
Space limited to 15.
Guides: Jim Clubb and Bruce Dayton,
Sarasota County volunteers
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| Lemon Bay Conservancy nature walks at Wildflower Preserve
The Lemon Bay Conservancy is sponsoring a series of nature walks at Wildflower Preserve during the next three months. Please check the website’s calendar for available dates.
All walks start in the parking lot located at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., south of Englewood, east of Placida Road.
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About Us
Sarasota County Government
Natural Resources
1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34240
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