Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

BRADENTON -- When it comes to protecting our coastal waters, the Sarasota Bay Guardians start out on land. Robinson Preserve’s natural habitat got a little native planting boost on Saturday to help protect the surrounding water quality and to help raise community awareness in honor of Earth Day.

The Sarasota Bay Guardians and community volunteers spent Saturday planting native plants at Robinson Preserve. Their work helped to protect the Sarasota Bay Watershed.

The Sarasota Bay Guardians group is a family-friendly volunteer program that the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) organized in collaboration with the Manatee County Natural Resources Department and Around the Bend Nature Tours. The program protects the waters from Anna Maria Island down to Venice Beach.

On Saturday, 50 volunteers from all around Manatee and Sarasota Counties joined forces for a volunteer workday at Robinson Preserve.  The volunteers did more than plant native plants, they also helped to build valuable habitat in the local coastal waters.

The program coordinator for SBEP, Sara Peatrowsky, said that the program’s goal is to get everyday people involved in making a difference in their community by engaging in activities that make a positive impact on the Sarasota Bay Watershed.

”We have done events like this in the past around Sarasota and Manatee Counties,“ she said. ”As a mission we are dedicated to restoring the area’s greatest natural aspect, which is the Sarasota Bay.“

But that dedication starts on land, making sure that water runoff is minimal to prevent polluting the waters, which could ultimately save the sea grass, the sea grass inhabitants and prevent red tide.

So, on Saturday, volunteers planted drought tolerant plants, grasses and native vegetation along the preserve’s watershed - all this to keep rainwater landlocked.

”Native drought resistant plants are the best for Florida, but oftentimes we not only do plantings of native plants, we also take out non-native plants,“ Peatrowsky said. ”We want to use Florida native plants because they help absorb storm water runoff and prevent all parts of pollutants in it.“

Jennifer Smither joined the volunteer group at Robinson Preserve to help protect the Sarasota Bay.

Preventing pollutants like pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers from getting into the sea grass lined coastal waters where manatees, fish, crabs and all kinds of sea life call home.

Jennifer Smither is a Sarasota Young Professional member and volunteered on Saturday at Robinson Preserve.

”I came out today to do something for the community,“ she said. ”I didn’t know anything when I first got here, but I know that our planting efforts are helping the environment and it makes me feel like I am part of a larger mission for Earth Day.“

She was out at the preserve around 9 a.m. and stayed until the very end, which was 1 p.m., and she said that she planted small plants and some seedlings.

”I really feel like a better person just being at the preserve and helping to protect our beautiful parks,“ Smither added.

The final group of volunteers left Robinson around 1:15 p.m. and walked off the trails with spirited energy and smiles.

The Natural Resources Department’s educational coordinator, Melissa Nell, was a part of that group and joined Peatrowsky’s excitement over the good work done that day.

The organizations met their maximum goal for volunteer participation and made a difference in the lives of those volunteers and in the environment. But this is just the first of many volunteer workdays planned for Earth Day month and throughout the year.

Peatrowsky explained that if the community can help to keep the water clean in the Sarasota Bay, then the sea grasses have a chance to grow and to help produce healthy habitats around the watershed. Clear waters allow sea grass growth, which produces a healthy coastal environment for all.

”It’s very, very important to volunteer at our parks and go out to them and put effort into restoring them,“ she said. ”If people are working and using their time to improve our natural habitats, they are going to appreciate our natural assets even more."

Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address.  She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers.

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