The Deepwater Horizon oil spill had a negative effect on the coastal habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Beaches, marshes, oyster reefs, and other habitats were exposed to oil, affecting the plants and wildlife living in those areas. NOAA announced in December of 2016, the availability of up to $7 million for grant funding provided [...]
Sarasota Bay Watch thanks our Manatee-Sarasota community for a tremendous outpouring of support and participation this year. 2017 was very busy and productive, with a broad range of activities to help restore and protect our precious waterways. Our team of volunteer board members and advisor worked tirelessly and passionately to host events, activities, community outreach, [...]
“Blue carbon” or coastal habitats may sequester significantly more carbon dioxide than forests. Coastal wetlands have long been recognized for their wildlife values, their vital role in water quality, and their significance in protecting our built environmental during storm events. Scientists, however, have recently begun to document another critically important value: their ability to absorb [...]
On Friday the 24th of February, Sarasota Bay Watch assisted the Gulf Shellfish Institute in “planting” 400,000 juvenile clams at Port Manatee. When they reach an adult stage they will help to restore depleted clam populations and promote sea grass growth. SBW is gaining experience for their upcoming restoration project. Separately SBW partner Bay Shellfish [...]
March was Seagrass Awareness Month in Florida. The designation began in 2001, in an effort to explain to the public why seagrass was important and should be protected. Seagrass is not visible to most people and the role they play in the ecosystem is not understood. Seagrasses are grass like flowering plants found submerged in [...]
“April is a busy month for Sarasota Bay Watch volunteers! We will be hosting the Annual Skier’s Island Cleanup with our Riverview High School partners. Over 30 students will be helping to remove trash and invasive plants from the waterway island. We will also be working with neighborhood communities to get on the water with [...]
Scientists have been detailing the benefits of healthy estuaries for decades – protecting shorelines from erosion and storms, improving water quality, providing vital habitat for economically valuable fish and marine species, and boosting local tourism. A new study underway in Tampa Bay focuses on yet another benefit: buffering both global and local ecosystems from the [...]
