On Saturday night, Feb. 24, Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) is holding its 14th Annual Scallopalooza: We’re Making Waves. The event is a major fundraiser for the organization. This year Sarasota Bay Watch is celebrating its multidimensional approach to water quality and healthy habitats. This approach includes a wide variety of programs headlined by its clam restoration program. Clams are a key focus of SBW because of their filtration properties (last year SBW obtained Florida’s first lease for restoration purposes). Another big focus of the group is the cleanup efforts of marine debris.
This past year, SBW volunteers actively cleaned local waters from Manatee County to the Myakka River in Charlotte County. In cooperation with local dive groups, over 39,900 pounds of debris were removed. This included rubble that entangles and entraps birds and marine animals, as well as damaging sensitive habitats. Island restoration at Jim Neville Marine Preserve is another focus of SBW. Their Youth Legacy Project (in partnership with Sarasota County) engages with students to remove invasive plants and install native flora to attract pollinators and birds, enriching the habitat value of the preserve while training and engaging the leaders of tomorrow. Their work also includes a youth leadership program for local high school students. This program provides leadership opportunities for the high school students who then work with SBW teaching marine science in an eight-week after-school program for fourth and fifth graders.
This year’s Scallopalooza will help support and fund the organization’s many worthwhile projects. Join other engaged community members for a happy hour, dinner, silent auction and entertainment.
If you would like to get involved with the work SBW is doing to protect Sarasota Bay and support its mission, visit www.sarasotabaywatch.org. Make sure you take note of the organizations that are major sponsors of this important fund-raising effort. As their motto says, “A healthy bay is everybody’s business,” literally and figuratively! I hope to see you there.
