Environment Sarasota Bay Estuary Program To Present a Blue Dolphin Award This Saturday

BRADENTON — The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) will present a Blue Dolphin Award on Saturday, May 2 during a Bay Guardian volunteer event at Robinson Preserve in Manatee County. The unique award acknowledges local champions of Sarasota Bay. Scott and Virginia Lloyd-Jones will be joining nine other individuals and groups that have been honored with Blue Dolphin Awards since 2012.

Scott and Virginia Lloyd-Jones are retirees from Sun City Center being recognized for their ongoing volunteer support of the award-winning SBEP Bay Guardians Program. The couple has participated in numerous volunteer outings throughout Manatee and Sarasota County. The Bay Guardians are the largest volunteer organization in the region focused on area projects that benefit Sarasota Bay.

The SBEP Blue Dolphin Awards were launched in 2012. Sherri Swanson with HDR Engineering, Inc. recently received her 2015 award at a Citizen’s Advisory Committee meeting. Prior winners include: Martha B. King Middle School in Bradenton, Jack Merriam, the former environmental manager for Sarasota County, AMI Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Raindrop Cisterns, a company focused on rainwater harvesting, Charles Edwards, a retired biomedical researcher and long-term volunteer with the SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee, Denise and Don Elliott with Sunbow Bay Condo Association on Anna Maria Island, Lee Fox formerly with Save Our Seabirds, Inc., and Sean Russell representing the nonprofit Stow It Don’t Throw It Project.

The Bay Guardian volunteer event at Robinson Preserve will begin at 9am and is followed by a picnic lunch at noon. Volunteers will be filling bags with material to create new habitat for oysters and fish. Oyster beds represent a unique and valuable component of the Sarasota Bay ecosystem.

They provide structural habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates. Project partners include Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources and Around the Bend Nature Tours. The event is recommended for ages six and up. Closed toed shoes are required. Online registration is also required.

Please contact Sara Kane at Sara@SarasotaBay.org to learn more about the Blue Dolphin Awards or Bay Guardian volunteer program.