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Sarasota Bay Estuary Program - Sarasota, Florida - Preserving Sarasota's Water Heritage for the Future

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Partners win 1st Place Gulf Guardian Award

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SBEP and its partners have been awarded a first place Gulf Guardian Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the significant return of seagrasses to Sarasota Bay. Read more.

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

Saturday & Sunday, Feb 20th, 21st (10am-6pm)

Be sure to visit the SBEP booth in the community center at the 28th annual Cortez Fishing Festival. The Festival features fabulous Florida seafood, arts and educational displays, live music galore and lots of family fun. A special attraction is the Cortez Crab Cook-off. Admission is $2. Children under 12 are free. The festival is sponsored by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage. Learn more.

Popular Bay Wise Kayak Tours Return for 2010!

Join Sarasota Bay Estuary Program for a FREE educational paddle around Sarasota Bay.

From December to April, retired marine biologist and SBEP Citizen Advisory Committee member Dr. Jack Taylor will lead an educational kayak tour in Sarasota Bay waters twice a month. Discover the plants, animals, habitats and other features that make Sarasota Bay an Estuary of National Significance. Learn more.

Protect public health and the Bay - Pick up after your pet!

Pooches for the Planet

Clean Waters! Clean Yards! Clean Shoes!

Approximately 26 tons of pet waste are deposited in Sarasota and Manatee Counties every day! Pet waste that is left behind is a significant source of bacteria and nutrients that pollute our waterways. SBEP has partnered with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to bring the successful pet waste pollution education program Pooches for the Planet to the Sarasota Bay watershed. Learn more.

SBEP Public Meetings

Monday, March 1st - Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting at 4:30pm at the Dan McClure Auditorium at the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. Meeting open to the public. For more info contact SBEP at 941-955-8085.

For Complete Information on all of our Events, Please visit our Calendar Page

Since 1989 the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and its partners have had a vision….a vision of a Sarasota Bay with clear waters and abundant habitat supporting a rich diversity of aquatic life…of people experiencing that abundance while soaking in its natural beauty….And a commitment through education to engage the community to become our partner in cultivating this vision of a healthy Sarasota Bay.

The waters of Sarasota Bay are home to a bountiful natural and cultural heritage that define our sense of place A sense of place is the culture, heritage and diversity of a region. It is finding inspiration in the past, creating meaning for the present and planning for the future.

The preservation of Sarasota Bay and its natural resources is inextricably linked to the economic drivers of our community and our quality of life. Connecting partners and creating relationships to preserve Sarasota Bay and its natural and cultural heritage has never been more critical.

Our Partners

We offer special thanks to our partners: Sarasota County, Manatee County, City of Sarasota, City of Bradenton, Town of Longboat Key, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What Is an Estuary?

Estuaries are places where freshwater mixes with salty water from the sea. Teeming with life, our nation’s estuaries provide vital habitats for 80 percent of the world’s fish and shellfish species.

Estuaries are one of our nation’s most valuable natural resources, creating more food per acre than the richest farmland. Click here to learn more about the National Estuary Programs.

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