Readers of this column know the importance of seagrass to the health of the region’s bays, estuaries, fisheries, fauna and economy. These critical meadows are under threat from overdevelopment, stormwater run-off, sewage releases, motor prop scarring and what I often refer to as death by a thousand cuts. This July, citizens and visitors alike can learn about, see firsthand and help scientists quantify this critical resource during the Sarasota Bay Estuary’s Eyes on Seagrass program.
The Eyes on Seagrass program is a bi-annual citizen science event held in partnership with Florida Sea Grant, Mote Marine Laboratory and Sarasota and Manatee counties to measure macroalgae and seagrass coverage. The program was expanded from Charlotte Harbor to cover Sarasota Bay in 2021 in response to a data gap in macroalgae monitoring. During this sampling window in April and July, participants explore various locations throughout Sarasota Bay to collect information on macroalgae and seagrass coverage. Results are then integrated into the Sarasota Bay Ecosystem Health Report Card.
Want to participate? Organize a team with a boat and register your team at https://sarasotabay.org/eos/. You can pick your site preference and in-person training date (for new volunteers) during registration. Organizers will then email you which site(s) you have.
Participants can pick up their sampling gear starting Monday, July 1 at the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s office in Sarasota at 111 S. Orange Ave. Suite 200 W.
You can then attend an in-person training (for new volunteers), and/or read the sampling instructions and watch a video to learn how to sample and record your data. Training sessions will be held at the following locations and times, on Tuesday, June 25 at 9 a.m. at Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota (5 Bayfront Drive) and on Wednesday, June 26 at 9 a.m. at Bayshore Gardens Park and Recreational District (6919 26th St. W., Bradenton). If you are unable to attend a scheduled training, please email christine@sarasotabay.org to coordinate an additional training session. Site sampling takes place from July 6-21.
This is an excellent opportunity to get in the water and see the amazingly rich ecosystem that lies just under the water’s surface. You’ll come away with a new appreciation of the beauty and complexity of our marine world, meet like-minded citizen scientists and make a difference. See you there.
