2022 National Estuaries Week

Manatee next to text saying join us as we celebrate National Estuaries Week Sept 17 - 24, events throughout September

Join us as we celebrate National Estuaries Week 2022! Throughout September, we will be offering various events and opportunities to #WadeIn to your local bays and waterways!

National Estuaries Week is celebrated every year around the U.S. to showcase the value our bays and estuaries provide to our local communities. An estuary is an area where freshwater and saltwater meet. On the Gulf Coast of Florida, our estuaries provide habitat for over 70% of important commercial and recreational fish species, including snapper, grouper, red drum, snook, and mullet. They support our wildlife populations of birds, dolphins, and manatees. They are the main driver of our economy, uplifting property values and supporting tourism and water-related jobs. Bay habitats like mangroves and seagrasses can help reduce erosion and storm damage, and the beauty and recreational opportunities of our bays add to the overall quality of life here in Florida.

Children Exploring a watershed exhibit behind the text: Science Saturday September 10 7:00AM - 1:00PM

Visit us at the Downtown Sarasota Farmers' Market for some hands on science and opportunities to learn about the bay!

Take a walk on the wild side with this free, guided hike through an urban oasis at Oscar Scherer State Park. Registration required.

Join us for the SBEP Policy Board meeting as we present on the state of our bay and our newly updated, five year plan for a thriving estuary.

Vertical Oyster Gardens behind text: DIY VOG September 20 10:30AM - 12:30PM

Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) are oyster shells strung together that hang below docks. They provide habitat for oysters, sea squirts, & other critters. Stop by Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota to learn about VOGs & build your own!

Join staff from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program for a night of fun at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton. Ask questions, play games and learn about your local environment!

birds flying over bay at sunset behind text: There's More! The fun doesn't stop with SBEP. Check out other local events in the list below.

Looking for more ways to explore the bay and connect with others? Browse the many events below offered by our partners and local organizations.

Partner Events

Saturday, September 17th

International Coastal Cleanup Logo
Person near live oak tree
7 Rivers Water Festival Logo
Spoonbills and birds wading in water
  • 8:00AM - International Coastal Cleanup - Keep Sarasota County Beautiful
  • 8:00AM - Robinson Runners - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources
  • 8:00AM - Natural Scene Investigators - Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast
  • 8:30AM - Gardening Club - Palmetto Library
  • 9:00AM - Science by the Sea: Coastal Cleanup - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Minorities in Shark Sciences 
  • 9:00AM - 7 Rivers Water Festival - Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership, Polk County, and the City of Winter Haven 
  • 9:00AM - Newtown Cleanup the Block Party - 1782 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota, FL   
  • 9:00AM - History in the Park- Dr. C.B. Wilson House Open House - Sarasota County Parks 
  • 9:00AM - Wildflowers – Alligators – Birds and Butterflies - Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve 
  • 9:00AM - Saturday Mornings at the NEST - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources
  • 9:00AM - Nature Walk Through the Lens - Bay Park Conservancy  
  • 11:30AM - Ask a Master Gardener – Manatee County Libraries
  • 1:00PM - Wildlife Inc– Birds of Prey - Manatee County Libraries 
  • 2:00PM - Families Flock Together: Animal Architects! Animales Arquitectos! - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources

Sunday, September 18th

runners at sunset

 

  • 7:30AM - Zero Waste 5k race - Enviroracing  

Monday, September 19th

participants looking at vials
  • 9:00AM - Food Forest Clean-up – Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources
  • 9:30AM - Endless Oceans – Marine Science 101 - Mote Marine Laboratory

Tuesday, September 20th

Science Club Students Looking At Flasks And Vials
  • 10:00AM - Master Gardener Plant Clinic - Sarasota County 
  • 3:00PM - Science Club – Bubble Art - Manatee County Libraries

Wednesday, September 21st

woman scientist scuba diving working on coral restoration
Worm compost
  • 9:00AM & 10:00AM - Walking in Wonder at the Bay Preserve - Around the Bend Nature Tours, Bay Park Conservancy 
  • 9:00AM - Harvesting grasses - Tampa Bay Watch 
  • 12:00PM - Climate Change: A Solutions Approach (webinar) - UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County 
  • 2:00PM - Virtual Vermicomposting (webinar)UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County 
  • 4:00PM - Women of Mote – Fearless Investigators (virtual) - Mote Marine Laboratory 

Thursday, September 22nd

FL Friendly Angler logo
Environmental Design Conference logo
  • Varies - Florida Friendly Angler (virtual course) - FL Sea Grant, self-paced   
  • 8:00AM & 10:00AM - Ride and Paddle at The Bay - Bay Park Conservancy 
  • 8:30AM - Environmental Design Conference - Southface Sarasota 
  • 11:00AM - Marine Heritage of Manatee County - Florida Sea Grant 
  • 1:00PM - Bay-Friendly Fertilizing (webinar) - UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County 
  • 1:30PM - Master Gardener Plant Clinic - Sarasota County

Friday, September 23rd

Auction flyer
  • 9:00AM - Environmental Design Conference - Southface Sarasota 
  • 9:00AM - Bioblitz at Robinson Preserve - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
  • 10:00AM - Tall Tails Tribe: Color Trek through Emerson Point Preserve - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources
  • 1:00PM - Homeschool Science Club: Alien Invaders - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources 
  • 6:00PM - Coastal Conservation Association Sarasota Banquet and Auction 

Saturday, September 24th

FL State Parks logo
gulls on beach
children listening to stories under a tree
Butterfly on a red flower
  • 7:00AM - Beach Walks and Bird Talks - Beachcombing & Birding Workshop - Sarasota County Parks, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 
  • 8:00AM - Robinson Runners - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources
  • 8:30AM - National Public Lands Day - Sarasota County 
  • 9:00AM - National Public Lands Day Planting at Robinson Preserve NEST - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources, Tampa Bay Watch 
  • 9:00AM - Saturday Mornings at the NEST: National Public Lands Day Celebration - Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources
  • 9:00AM - National Public Lands Day - Oscar Scherer State Park
  • 9:00AM - Microplastics Workshop and Cleanup - Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership 
  • 9:00AM - History in the Park- Dr. C.B. Wilson House Open House - Sarasota County Parks
  • 10:00AM - Science Sprouts – Our Colorful World - Bishop Museum  
  • 10:00AM - Butterfly Bonanza - Florida Master Gardeners Manatee County
  • 10:00AM - Ask a Master Gardener - Manatee County 
  • 2:00PM - Tales Under the Tree - Bishop Museum  
  • 2:00PM - Cuban Ranchos - Manatee County