Following the impressive success of the biochar material shown above in a pilot test of filtering out 73% of the nitrogen and 87% of the phosphorus in reclaimed water at Lakewood Ranch, START is announcing a plan to bring this effective process to Sarasota’s developing Bay Park to help reduce the nutrients in stormwater from the site before it runs into Sarasota Bay.
To fund the design and monitoring portion of building the Stormwater Nutrient Barrier at the park, START is committing all of the proceeds from this year’s Holiday Giving Campaign from now to February 1st to launch this landmark water quality project. It will be the first effort of its kind in our area and couldn’t come at a more appropriate time with the reported increase in excess nutrients that feed red tide and other Harmful Algal Blooms in our coastal waters.
Our goal to fund this project is $50,000 of which through some generous foundation support we have already raised nearly half that amount.
Any excess funding above the goal will go to help fund the following water quality projects:
Expanding the award-winning Gulf Coast Oyster Recycle and Renewal Program (GCORR) that keeps shells from restaurant diners out of landfills and uses them to build new oyster reefs.
Using START’s acclaimed Red Tide & You PowerPoint presentation to reach policy makers, the media and the general public to make everyone more aware of how they can lower their nutrient footprint in our waterways.
Many of you will soon receive a START Holiday Funding Letter or an e-mail blast asking for your support for this important water quality effort. You will also find us for the first time active in social media. However, we reach you, we hope you will give generously on our website at start1.org under the How You Can Help section or by check mailed to START, P.O. Box 642, Tallevast, Fl 34270.
