SBEP Bay Guardians Plant 3,500 Native Plants at Perico Preserve

MANATEE COUNTY -- A group of 49 adult and student volunteers planted 3,500 Florida-native plants May 4 at Perico Preserve in Manatee County. The plants were donated by FWC Redfish Hatchery at Port Manatee and Manatee County Natural Resources. It was the fourth Bay Guardian outing in 2013. Prior projects include Bowlees Creek Island on April 6, Jiggs Landing on March 9 and Baywalk Creek on February 23.

The Bay Guardians are family friendly

The Bay Guardians are the largest and most active volunteer organization in the region focused on the welfare of Sarasota Bay. The program is managed by the SBEP in partnership with Around the Bend Nature Tours.

Recent partners include Manatee County Natural Resources, Florida Audubon, Martha B. King Middle School, Sara Bay Marina, Sarasota Military Academy, Old Braden River Historical Society, Cub Scout Troop 22, Take Stock in Children, and New College of Florida. King Middle School was a 2012 recipient of a SBEP Blue Dolphin Award. The awards acknowledge local champions of Sarasota Bay.

New volunteers receive a blue tee shirt featuring the Bay Guardians logo. Each outing includes education about local ecology and a picnic lunch. Join the Bay Guardians for a single project or as an ongoing commitment. Local school, scout and church groups interested in volunteering should contact Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org.