SBEP to Host 4 Panel Discussions at Next Saturday's Water Festival

SARASOTA – The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) will host four panel discussions at the 2013 Sarasota Bay Water Festival set for next Saturday, November 2 at Ken Thompson Park. The panel discussions focus on the protection of local wildlife, the problem of stormwater pollution, environmental education, and the challenges facing Sarasota Bay.

The panel discussions and start times will be as follows:

Noon – Protecting Sarasota Bay Wildlife – Panelists include Jeanne Dubi with Sarasota Audubon, Krystan Wilkinson with Mote Marine Laboratory, Buddy Powell with Sea to Shore Alliance, Suzi Fox with AMI Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, and Jay Leverone with SBEP.

1pm – Reducing Stormwater Pollution – Panelists include Michelle Atkinson with Manatee County Extension, Tom Heitzman with Florida Native Plant Society, Alison Albee with City of Sarasota, and Ray Kaiser with the AMI Eco-Village.

2pm – Environmental Education & Stewardship – Panelists include Karen Fraley with Around the Bend Nature Tours, Melissa Nell with Manatee County, Rob Wright with Sarasota County, Jennifer Shafer with the Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida, and Sara Kane with SBEP.

3pm – Sarasota Bay Past, Present and Future – Panelists include Damon Moore with Manatee County, Bill Burger (local archaeologist), Captain Kathe with Cortez Fishing Village, and Sherri Swanson with HDR, Inc.

The 2013 Sarasota Bay Water Festival is being supported by 44 sponsors, 82 exhibitors and a team of volunteers from Sarasota and Manatee County. Learn more about all the highlights and the various sponsors at sarasotabaywaterfestival.com.