Our Mission

SBEP is dedicated to restoring the region’s most important natural asset – Sarasota Bay. The program strives to improve water quality, increase habitat and enhance the area’s natural resources for the use and enjoyment by the public. Since 1989, SBEP and its partners have had a vision of Sarasota Bay with clear waters, healthy habitat, abundant wildlife, and a growing community enjoying the Bay’s resources and recreation.

Sarasota Bay is a 56-mile long coastal lagoon comprised of one large bay segment (Big Sarasota Bay) and several smaller embayments including Palma Sola Bay in the north and a series of three embayments (Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, and Blackburn Bay) to the south. The Bay has four inlets or passes (Venice Inlet, Big Sarasota Pass, New Pass and Longboat Pass).

Bays and Tributaries Map

Sarasota Bay also features a number of creeks and streams that direct water runoff from throughout the larger watershed area. The primary tributaries include Palma Sola Creek, Bowlees Creek, Whitaker Bayou, Hudson Bayou, Phillippi Creek, Catfish Creek, North Creek, and South Creek.

What is an Estuary?

Estuaries are semi-enclosed areas, such as bays and lagoons, where freshwater mixes with salt 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 an essential resource creating more food per acre than the richest farmland. Click here to learn more about the National Estuary Program.

What is a Watershed?

It’s the area of land that provides water flow from higher elevation to the bottom of a drainage basin. Creeks, streams and the storm drainage system provide channels for directing the water runoff across the watershed into Sarasota Bay. Our local watershed covers 250 square miles and it is the home for more than 500,000 people.

 

News & Events

Collaborating with our partners and other groups, SBEP helps improve water quality and expand local habitat. Our companion programs connect the entire region with vital Bay resources and treasures from the deeper sea.

Free Bay Wise Kayak Trips

There are six free kayak tours still available with SBEP between February and April. Remaining trips are planned for Lido Mangrove Tunnels (2/4 and 2/18), Blind Pass (3/3 and 3/17), and Lyons and Blackburn Bay (4/7 and 4/21). Click here to learn more and to register online. The trips are professionally guided by Brad Tanner, an expert kayaker and the school programs coordinator at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Scrub Jay Festival Set for February 4

The third annual Scrub Jay Festival is coming to Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey on Saturday, February 4. The free event runs from 10am to 4pm and highlights include live music, food, guided hikes, exhibits, displays, activities for kids, and a round table discussion with local scrub jay experts. Click here to learn more.

Sarasota Bay Watershed Symposium

Presented by New College in partnership with SBEP this event is set for February 15-17 at New College of Florida. The symposium will bring together scientists, resource managers, educators, and private citizens for discussions, networking and learning about Sarasota Bay issues. Click here to learn more.

Bay Partners Grant Applications Due March 1

SBEP is accepting applications for the 2012 program. The purpose of the program is to promote environmental education, community involvement and stewardship to improve the overall quality of Sarasota Bay and its tributaries. Organizations can receive up to $3,000 for projects that benefit Sarasota Bay. SBEP has awarded $150,000 in grants to more than 90 organizations since 2002. Click here to learn more and to review the application form and process.

LID Expo Coming March 23

LID refers to Low Impact Development. The LID Expo will promote products and ideas that are more efficient and sustainable. Examples include green roofs, vertical walls, planter vaults, pervious pavement, native plants, specialty soil products, and water cisterns. Professionals in Sarasota and Manatee Counties are continually exploring ways to reduce costs while protecting local natural resources. The LID Expo will also feature presentations and demonstrations. Click here to learn more. Prospective exhibitors can contact Angela at lidexpo2012@gmail.com.

Visit the Region’s First Bay-Centric Blog

Sarasota Bay Today is the region’s first blog focused exclusively on Sarasota Bay. It was created to provide the public with helpful insights about the people involved with the ongoing efforts to restore and protect this scenic and vital water system. Randy Moore, the contracted marketing director for SBEP is the editor. Click here to read interviews with Jack Merriam, the environmental manager with Sarasota County, Paul Hindsley, PhD, the lead researcher doing the SBEP economic value study of Sarasota Bay, and Jay Leverone, PhD, the SBEP staff scientist. New interviews will be posted monthly.

Support our Local Clean Marinas

A Florida Department of Environmental Protection Program

The Florida DEP has a series of Clean Marina Programs that raise awareness with marine facilities and boaters regarding environmentally friendly practices. The following local marinas have been certified as Clean Marinas: Cannons Marina, Crow’s Nest Marina, Galati Yacht Sales, Gulf Harbor Marina, Hyatt Regency Marina, Longboat Key Moorings, Marina Jack, Regatta Point Marina, Riviera Dunes Marina, Twin Dolphin Marina, and The Venice Yacht Club. Click here to learn more.

Public Meetings

The Education Subcommittee with the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) will meet 4pm on January 30 at the Federal Building conference room in Sarasota at 111 S. Orange Avenue. The next meeting of the entire CAC is set for 4:30pm on February 6 at Dan McClure Auditorium located at the Sarasota Airport. Click here to learn more about the CAC. Click here to learn more about the SBEP Management and Policy Boards.

Click here for more events.