- Scientific Community Convenes for Midnight Pass
- "Physically and Mentally Rewarding" Paddling Program Reaches Veterans
- SBEP Awards $70,000 to Community Groups for Bay Friendly Projects
- New Study Highlights Sarasota Bay’s Water Quality Success
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Spring Watershed Wrap
- New SBEP Staff
- We're Hiring
- Partner Happenings
- News You May Have Missed
- Water Reading Around the Web
| | Scientific Community Convenes to Examine Midnight Pass and Little Sarasota Bay | | |
In fall 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton reopened Midnight Pass at the southern end of Siesta Key. For the first time since the pass was closed in 1983, Gulf waters can once again exchange with Little Sarasota Bay. Since then, the system has been in a state of transition, creating new considerations for water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational use.
On June 4, SBEP hosted the Midnight Pass Science Workshop, bringing together researchers, engineers, and resource managers to evaluate current data and explore stewardship opportunities for Little Sarasota Bay and Midnight Pass. A total of 58 participants, including 20 speakers representing 14 organizations, shared findings, discussed emerging trends, and identified opportunities for collaboration in monitoring, managing, and communicating about this evolving ecosystem.
“Midnight Pass being open again is a remarkable opportunity," said Rachel Herman, Environmental Protection Division Manager for Sarasota County. "The county surveying crew is out there every week monitoring the inlet, and we're working closely with consultants, regulatory agencies, and research institutions to build a complete picture that supports our goal to keep the pass open.”
| | Sarasota Bay's "Physically and Mentally Rewarding" Paddling Program Reaches Local Veterans | |
"It's rewarding," said participant and veteran Rebecca Miller. "Physically and mentally rewarding."
In 2023, SBEP partnered with The Multicultural Health Institute and Wayne Adventures to pilot a free therapeutic paddling program for local veterans, with a special focus on those living with PTSD and other mental health challenges. Thanks to the initial partnership, the program has now become a regular offering, with SBEP sponsoring the outings directly through Wayne Adventures.
After a full season of trips, we spoke with participants to learn about the program's impact. For Rebecca, the experience began with a recommendation from her therapist at the Sarasota Vet Center. Having never kayaked before, she was hesitant at first. "My therapist recommended that I come out and try this," Rebecca said. "She got me out of my comfort zone because I had never been kayaking before, and I enjoy it. I love it."
| | SBEP Awards $70,000 to Community Groups for Bay Friendly Projects | |
Congratulations to our 2026 Bay Partners Grant recipients! Each of our eight awardees is implementing a project that either enhances water quality and native habitats, expands environmental education, or fosters community stewardship throughout the watershed.
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Suncoast Waterkeeper – $6,000 for Stop the Flow of Nitrogen, a campaign to reduce nitrogen pollution by partnering with county agencies and volunteers to pilot outreach and action strategies in targeted neighborhoods.
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Siesta Key Chapel – $9,168 for Siesta Key Chapel Upland Hammock Restoration, an implementation project that will restore a native upland hammock ecosystem, enhance wildlife habitat, and install educational signage to increase awareness of native vegetation.
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Minorities in Shark Sciences – $10,000 for Sarasota Sea Scholars, an extracurricular program serving middle school students from Title I schools and underserved communities through hands-on learning focused on environmental stewardship and justice.
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Palma Sola Botanical Park Foundation – $9,944 for Palma Sola Botanical Park Pond Enhancement, which will restore habitat in three brackish ponds by planting approximately 1,200 native plants with the help of volunteers and providing educational tours and signage.
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Promenade Estates on Palmer Ranch – $9,999 for Roundabout Pond Microforest, a collaborative effort to establish a 4,384-square-foot native microforest buffer around a stormwater pond to improve water quality, expand habitat, and engage students and community partners in restoration activities.
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Science and Environment Council – $10,000 for The Future Is Not What It Used To Be: Stories of Nature, Culture, and Innovation for a Sustainable Future, a series of short videos highlighting local sustainability initiatives, community organizations, and innovative solutions that support a more resilient future.
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Kensington Park Civic Association – $2,133.32 for Lifelines’ Stormwater Ditch Restorations, a project that will remove invasive species, plant native vegetation, and educate residents about the important role neighborhood stormwater systems play in protecting local waterways.
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Oyster Boys Conservation – $10,000 for Student VOG Monitoring, which will engage New College students in collecting and analyzing data from Vertical Oyster Garden sites to assess estuary resiliency and share findings with younger students to inspire future environmental stewards.
| | New Study Highlights Sarasota Bay’s Water Quality Success | |
A new study highlights Sarasota Bay’s journey toward improved water quality through targeted nutrient reduction efforts. Researchers document how management actions, particularly investments in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, have significantly reduced pollutant loads and supported the bay’s recovery.
The paper demonstrates how pollutant load reduction goals, especially for dissolved inorganic nitrogen, can help improve water quality and promote the recovery of seagrass habitats.
Pollutant Load Reduction in Sarasota Bay, Florida (USA): Target Development, Implementation, and Outcomes was recently published in Gulf and Caribbean Research and is available as an open-access resource and linked in our Technical Reports Library.
| | Collect Debris or Data with SBEP this Summer | |
Give our very first restoration site some TLC
Join us for a volunteer workday at Bay Walk Preserve. Sign up to be part of the planting crew or the cleanup crew. This event is open to anyone willing to break a sweat while helping improve habitat along Sarasota Bay!
Learn More & Register
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Have a boat? Love the bay? Join us for Eyes on Seagrass
It's time to gear up for our summer Eyes on Seagrass Program. Warmer waters welcome you to help us collect important data on seagrass and macroalgae. Volunteers will sample between July 19 and August 2.
Learn More & Register
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1,420 lbs of debris removed from Bowlees Creek
45 volunteers removed 1,420 pounds of debris during the annual Bowlees Creek Cleanup. Volunteers observed less debris than in previous years, likely due to drought conditions and a relatively quiet 2025 hurricane season. Still, the urbanized creek remains susceptible to pollution, and you never know what you might find. This year, unusual finds included an emoji pillow, several dozen golf balls, and an injured gull, which was transported to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation facility.
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Paddlers explore Little Sarasota Bay
25 participants joined SBEP and Big Waters Land Trust for a sunset paddle in Little Sarasota Bay. The group kayaked to Midnight Pass, spotting a manatee and a bird rookery along the way. Participants paused to watch the sunset and reflect on the area's rich cultural and ecological history, including the Indigenous heritage associated with Historic Spanish Point.
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Student art raises funds for local environmental groups
SBEP staff attended the annual Ringling Charity Art Auction, where students raised $1,400 to benefit SBEP and Sarasota Bay Watch. The auction featured multi-media student artwork, with many pieces depicting marine wildlife and scenery.
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New Citizens Advisory Committee members bring expertise in fisheries, education, and engineering
This spring, we welcomed three new members to our Citizens Advisory Committee. Cameron, an environmental professional and former fisheries biologist; Flora, a community advocate and homeschooling mother of two; and Dennis, a retired engineer and current HOA board member, will help strengthen SBEP's ability to reach and engage the public
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EPA Visits Sarasota Bay
SBEP recently hosted Wade Lehmann, Ph.D., Chief of the Ocean and Estuarine Management Section for EPA Region 4, for a day exploring the Sarasota Bay watershed. The visit highlighted key habitat restoration projects, community grant initiatives, and ecologically significant areas that showcase local efforts to improve water quality, enhance coastal resilience, and engage residents in watershed stewardship.
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Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Welcomes Sophie Campbell as New Science and Outreach Specialist
Please join us in welcoming Sophie, SBEP's new Science and Outreach Specialist. Sophie combines a passion for marine science with a love for education and community engagement. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina before beginning her career as a fisheries observer with NOAA in Alaska's commercial fisheries. She later moved to California to work as a marine science instructor with the Catalina Island Marine Institute, where she taught students about ocean ecosystems, marine life, and environmental stewardship through hands-on experiences.
After working coast-to-coast in a variety of marine environments, Sophie is excited to help connect the community with Sarasota Bay through science, outreach, and shared experiences in nature.
View our Q&A with Sophie
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We're Hiring!
SBEP is hiring a part-time Administrative Assistant to support the Executive Director, Operations Manager, and program staff with day-to-day administrative activities. This is a part-time, in-office role requiring a minimum of 20 hours per week, occasionally up to 30 hours per week based on workload, events, and projects. The rate of pay for this position ranges from $23 to $28 per hour.
Interested? Submit an application by July 7.
Learn More
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Intern with Big Waters Land Trust
Big Waters Land Trust is accepting applications for a paid summer internship. During 2026, interns will help manage invasive plants through herbicide application, hand-pulling, cutting, and volunteer workdays. The primary restoration site will be Myakka Headwaters Preserve, with additional work occurring at Upper Myakka Preserve, Tatum Sawgrass Scrub Preserve, Pine Island Preserve at Matlacha Pass, and Siesta Key Preserve.
Learn More
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EcoSummit 2027 Explores an Innovative Future
Save the date for EcoSummit 2027, hosted by the Science and Environment Council, February 24–28, 2027, in Sarasota. Centered on the theme, “The Future Is Not What It Used to Be,” the summit will bring together scientists, innovators, and community leaders to share stories and explore real-world solutions for protecting natural lands and waterways, advancing human health, and creating more resilient communities.
Learn More
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Resilient Together Virtual Lunch and Learn Series
UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant are hosting a free six-week webinar series, Resilient Together: Preparing Florida Homes and Communities, Mondays from July 27–August 31, from 11am–12pm. Topics range from climate resilience basics to disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. Registration is free.
Register Here
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Native Plantings with Manatee County
Join the Manatee County Natural Resources team for a volunteer workday at one of your favorite preserves. It's hot, but the wet summer months are perfect time to install new plants!
View Events
| | | SBEP News You May Have Missed | | |
Florida homeowners are partnering to install living shorelines that reduce erosion, improve water quality, and create habitat for wildlife. Shared projects and grant support are helping make these nature-based solutions more affordable and resilient to storms.
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After more than five decades with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, Dr. Randy Wells is retiring on July 1. His leadership helped make Sarasota Bay home to the world's longest-running study of wild bottlenose dolphins and advanced marine mammal conservation worldwide.
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Florida has completed a major phase of its statewide seafloor mapping initiative, providing new information about coastal habitats and previously undocumented deepwater coral reefs. The data will support restoration, resource management, and coastal resilience efforts.
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Audubon Florida sends up a flare for the Fourth: Fireworks and shorebirds don't mix
Audubon Florida is reminding beachgoers that fireworks can disturb nesting shorebirds and separate chicks from their parents. Residents are encouraged to enjoy community displays and avoid fireworks on nesting beaches.
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A Sarasota teen's bird monitoring project documenting the benefits of habitat restoration will be featured in a national birding magazine. Her work highlights the important role young people can play in conservation and community science.
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I peered into the eyes of a whale shark offshore Florida. Here’s what it taught me
A rare encounter with a group of whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico gave scientists and a reporter a closer look at the behavior of the world's largest fish. The experience underscores how much remains to be learned about these gentle ocean giants.
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info@sarasotabay.org | (941) 955-8085
111 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 200W
Sarasota, FL 34236
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