Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is a cooperative partnership among communities, researchers, and governments that strives to improve the health of Sarasota Bay and enhance the area's natural resources for public benefit.
Summer 2026 Bay Reflections
The summer issue of our quarterly newsletter is hot off the press! In this issue, explore the latest news from around Sarasota Bay, including a new peer-reviewed study on the bay's water quality recovery, $70,000 in community grant awards, and highlights from a scientific workshop on Midnight Pass. You'll also meet our newest team members, discover upcoming volunteer opportunities, catch up on spring watershed activities, and stay informed with partner news and water stories from around the web.
Recent News & Notes
Pinard, Felix. A sailboat on Sarasota Bay – Sarasota, Florida. 20th century. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Gandy, George Skip IV, “Sarasota High Altitude Aerial Photo, C” (1979). Gandy Photographs – Aerials. Image 602. My family has called Florida home for six generations. When I am on the waters of our Bays or walking…
Sarasota Bay’s Mangroves: A Critical Natural Asset Sarasota Bay has lost most of its coastal wetlands to dredge and fill operations and coastal development. Coastal development has installed over 200 miles of hardened shoreline in place of mangrove and wetlands. The remaining wetlands and mature mangrove forests in Sarasota Bay are essential to the functioning…
On a warm Saturday morning, a group of veterans and volunteers gathered at a boat ramp, unloaded kayaks, exchanged greetings, and prepared to spend a few hours exploring Sarasota Bay together. For some, it was another trip in a season full of paddling adventures. For others, it was their first time stepping into a kayak.…
Sarasota, FL (June 17, 2026) – On June 4, 2026, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) hosted a scientific workshop focused on Midnight Pass and Little Sarasota Bay, bringing together researchers, agency representatives, local government officials, and community stakeholders. The workshop provided an opportunity to share ongoing research, identify knowledge gaps, and explore opportunities for…
Saturday, July 18th, 2026, 8:00AM – 12:00 PM Join us in cleaning up and continuing to restore the Bay Walk Preserve (1500 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota)! There are two opportunities to volunteer: Cleanup Crew: You will be responsible for cleaning up the trash and litter around the boardwalk and within the mangroves. We recommend those…
Background The Rose Park Living Shoreline Project is a two-phase initiative to restore and enhance the shoreline of Rose Park, a small public park owned and managed by Manatee County along the eastern edge of Palma Sola Bay. The project will transform a hardened shoreline into a resilient, nature-based coastal system that improves water quality,…
Our Programs
We work with our partners to improve the science of bay management, restore wildlife habitats, and increase community engagement in bay restoration efforts.
