It was a fantastic way to spend a Sunday! On July 28, Sarasota Bay Watch was the lead organization in the new Resilience Incubator’s first community cleanup at Hudson Bayou in Sarasota. With the help of Suncoast Waterkeeper, 35 Incubator volunteers manned 13 kayaks and one jon boat. With the additional efforts of 10 shoreline volunteers, the group collected 604 pounds of trash and 1,200 pounds of invasive trees and bushes for a haul of 1,804 pounds total. Sarasota Bay Watch’s Executive Director Ronda Ryan described the event as “a gift of environmental stewardship to celebrate our shared home.” After the cleanup, volunteers gathered to sort the debris and recyclable items, have lunch provided by South Face and enjoy the camaraderie.
Executive Director Dr. Abbey Tyrna explained the creation of the Incubator at the event’s ribbon cutting.
“Justin (Bloom, Suncoast Waterkeeper founder) often reminisces about the early days when local environmental nonprofits worked hand-in-hand to drive real change. Today, we face a multitude of environmental challenges that demand even stronger collaboration. This is why Justin enthusiastically embraced Amber’s vision of creating a shared space for small non-profits, aptly named the Resilience Incubator.
“But what is resilience? Resilience is the ability of a system to recover from stressors or disturbances. It is built through strategies like diversifying resources, enhancing ecosystem functions, increasing social cohesion, adapting and strengthening built structures, and closing the loop on waste.
“The Resilience Incubator aims to build social-ecological resilience, ensuring our community can sustainably meet its needs while preserving the ecosystems we rely on. Together, we are creating a future where both our community and environment can thrive, facing today’s threats and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
Suncoast Waterkeeper is committed to this mission and, with community support, we can make a lasting impact. Join us in building a resilient future for all.”
To get involved, stop by the Resilience Incubator’s offices above the blood bank on Mound Street in Sarasota and consider joining Suncoast Waterkeeper, Sarasota Bay Watch or any of the other nonprofits working to make our home more resilient.
View a video of the cleanup here.
