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Manatee Beach open, county working to restore all Island beaches

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

HOLMES BEACH – With dozens of beachgoers soaking up the sun at Manatee Beach as the backdrop to a Manatee County press conference, county officials announced the progress in reopening all of Anna Maria Island’s beaches.

The conference on Oct. 25 was held to discuss the timeline and progress in beach clean-up and featured speakers were Manatee County District Three Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Manatee County Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County Deputy Director of Parks and County Grounds Carmine DeMilio, State Rep. Will Robinson, State Sen. Jim Boyd and businessman Shawn Kaleta.

“It’s so important that everybody knows the great strides that we are making in our recovery efforts. Our island and surrounding communities continue to exemplify what it is to be real, authentic and resilient in the face of adversity,” Van Ostenbridge said.

Manatee Beach is open and part of Coquina Beach will reopen next week, according to Van Ostenbridge.

“The sand is safe, the water is safe,” he said. “In about 30 days time we believe the entire seven miles of Anna Maria Island beaches will be open. The beaches will be safe and that includes dragging the sand multiple times with smaller nets to catch all the debris that we can and magnets for pulling any metal we can out of the beach.”

He said the website www.bradentongulfislands.com/recovery will list businesses that are open.

“It’s so important we get the message out that these restaurants and these businesses are back open for business so people will come back out to their favorite places,” he said.

Hunsicker talked about the efforts being made to restore the all the Island beaches.

“This was a significant event and that’s a huge understatement,” he said. “When hurricane Helene came in, that’s when we had an overwash of the Island and we now have sand throughout the Island.”

He said crews have been working to move sand to appropriate locations.

“We have a lot of sand out here that came right from the beaches, but we also have areas that were taken from parking lots and private homes and it’s a dark color,” Hunsicker said. “We’re going to be sorting and sifting beach sand at the county reception site at the end of Coquina Beach.”

He said the dark sand, which is not suitable for the beach, will be brought to an inland location in Manatee County and will be used for road building materials.

DeMilio said many county staff members have been working 29 straight days, 10-12 hours a day to clean up the beaches.

“We have removed 4 feet of sand from the rest rooms, the sidewalks and the parking lots,” he said. “We have removed truckloads of debris from these beautiful beaches. We have cut up and removed over 80 trees and two to three beach rakes daily to keep the beaches clean.”

He said safety is at the forefront of their efforts.

“Manatee Beach is clean, clear and safe and we invite all of you to come out and enjoy our beautiful beaches,” DeMilio said.

Before introducing State Sen. Jim Boyd and State Rep. Will Robinson, Van Ostenbridge said, “Remarkable help from the state level has helped us to rebound as quickly as we have.”

“It’s nothing short of remarkable to see what we see in front of us here today. Four weeks ago, this place was destroyed,” Boyd said. “Do we still have work to do? Yes we do. One thing I think is important is not to take our foot off the gas.”

“It’s truly remarkable to be standing here when four weeks ago water was over my head,” Robinson said. “Two weeks ago a Category 3 hit our area, and the pure devastation that we saw was not just on the Island but inland as well.”

He said the work is ongoing.

“I’m proud of the county and the state and our federal partners to get us where we are right now. To see folks bring out beach umbrellas and chairs is one step, we have many steps to take over the next few years,” Robinson said. “We will be there with you. It warms my heart to see the great beautiful sand is returned to our shores and we will always be here for our community as we recover the right way.”

In introducing Kaleta, Van Ostenbridge said a heavy responsibility is to get hospitality workers back to work.

“We employ directly hundreds of people, indirectly thousands of people,” Kaleta said. “We’ve kept all our employees and staff, maybe their job titles have changed a little bit in the short term, and we’re doing whatever we can do keep our employees with jobs.”

Kaleta said he works with an organization called amistrong.org.

“That’s a community organization led by community business owners that is a great resource,” Kaleta said. “Over the last couple weeks, we’ve been keeping our heads high with all of our staff and making sure we maintain all of our employees. They’re a vital part of our community and the tourism business as a whole.”

Kaleta said many businesses have been working around the clock to open their doors.

“We have natural resources here that we’re very fortunate to have – probably some of the best on earth. It’s impressive to see what has been done in the matter of less than 30 days,” Kaleta said.  “We’re here and we’re offering tourists to come back as quickly as possible.”

Suncoast Aqua Ventures holds underwater cleanup

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

On May 19, Suncoast Aqua Ventures conducted the first-ever underwater cleanup of the Manatee River’s downtown bridges. Partners for the event included Keep Manatee Beautiful, Force Blue Special Ops Veterans, Reef Innovations, Dive, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s dive team and the Ocean Conservancy. A total of 40 divers, 35 kayakers, three personal watercraft and numerous other landside volunteers were on hand to assist in the cleanup.

As one would expect, there was lots of fishing debris found around the Green Bridge fishing pier. The take included fishing nets, tackle and fishing poles.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures holds underwater cleanup
A volunteer retrieves a ladder from the Manatee River near the DeSoto Bridge. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

The railroad and DeSoto Bridge yielded a variety of debris, including the remnants of a boat that sank at the Bradenton Boat Docks. Other items included a stove, sink, refrigerator and AC unit. In addition, what appeared to be the contents of a kitchen were removed from the bottom, including a coffee pot, cookware, dishes and a fire extinguisher as well as four ladders, bicycles, traffic cones, a trolling motor and numerous car and boat batteries.

Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown was on hand helping with the effort and provided six City of Bradenton public works helpers to assist with trash removal from the dock staging area.

Also on hand providing support was the city of Bradenton and Palmetto police and Palmetto Mayor Shirley Bryant.

Event sponsors included Waste Pro, Marriott International, Chris Craft Boat Builders and Mila’s on the Manatee.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures was founded in 2017 by scuba divers and friends Troy Brown and Cheryl Huntsinger. The duo was motivated to take action after witnessing the plethora of human trash littering the underwater environment they love.

From its humble beginnings, the passion spread to other divers which resulted in their annual competitive “Reef and Beach Cleanup,” formerly held every year at the Bradenton Yacht Club. In 2023 it will be held at a new location, SeaBreeze Park, 55 Horseshoe Loop Road in Terra Ceia.

Over the past six years, dedicated volunteers have removed over 50 tons of trash from coastal waters.

The group has formed successful alliances with other organizations that share their vision of the responsible stewardship of our coastal ecosystem. School service organizations, corporations and municipalities throughout the area have come together to support their cause. Now the organization has expanded to doing monthly targeted cleanups and post-hurricane events. Over time, they have motivated hundreds of volunteers to make a difference in restoring the beauty of our fragile ecosystem.

You can join their efforts and learn about upcoming events online.

Reel Time: Join cleanup, win prizes

Reel Time: Join cleanup, win prizes

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Want to get dirty and have a terrific time in the process? Meet like-minded people and go away knowing you’ve left the bay better than you found it? You have the opportunity at this year’s Suncoast Aqua Venture’s Sixth Annual Reef and Beach Cleanup on Nov. 12-13 at the Bradenton Yacht Club, 4307 13th St. W. in Palmetto.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures was formed in 2016 when a few friends were scuba diving. Upon surfacing, the divers all commented on the amount of trash they had seen underwater, trash that most people aren’t aware of. That day, they made a pact to get some friends together and “clean this stuff up.” Three months later they had their first Reef and Beach cleanup. According to Cheryl Huntsinger, who heads the event, “Over the years, we would add an interesting twist to a typical cleanup up event. Knowing how competitive the human spirit can be, we added a little cash to the equation, gearing this like a fishing tournament with cash and prizes.”

During the inaugural event in 2016, 40 people recovered over 1,800 pounds of trash. In 2022, 142 participants recovered just shy of 21,321 pounds of trash and debris from Manatee County waters during the two-day event.

The event is free and kicks off Saturday, Nov. 12. Registration is from 8-10 a.m. After registration, there’s a free breakfast and cleanup supplies will be distributed. “Weigh-in” is on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 1-3 p.m. Food will be served, and there will be parking lot vendors, kids’ activities and more.

The cleanup encourages volunteers as well as spectators to come to the event.

“Come see what’s found out there that shouldn’t be in the water,” Huntsinger said.

Participants are eligible for more than $5,000 in cash paid in 18 categories, including fishing tackle, nets, rope, recyclables, chain and other metals, trash and anchors. $300 will be awarded for most tires, and $300 will be awarded for the most unique item on land and sea.

Tournament organizers encourage participants to register online in advance at www.suncoastaquaventures.com to ensure there is adequate food, supplies and T-shirts.

For more information, call Cheryl Huntsinger at 941-962-1488 or Troy Brown at 941-737-3165, or email suncoastaquaventures@gmail.com. Follow them on Facebook for posts leading up to the event.

TDC funds park facilities maintenance

County sets new standard in beach cleanliness

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County Parks Operations Manager Carmine DeMilio thanked the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) at its June 23 meeting for funding to keep beaches and waterways clean.

“People come from all over the world to visit, and that’s a good thing, but with that comes a lot of trash,” DeMilio said. “On a holiday weekend, we pick up an average of 45,000 pounds of trash.”

The funds allowed his department to hire new internal staff to replace a contracted custodial vendor that was not meeting their customer service and cleanliness standards, he said.

The funds also paid for tools and equipment to combat vandalism. DeMilio said serious vandalism, including tearing sinks off restroom walls and destroying toilets, is an unfortunate scenario his staff often faces, but they are now better equipped to respond quickly.

DeMilio said his department is also receiving emails regularly thanking them for clean restrooms and the lack of trash and litter on the beach and in public picnic areas and trails.

In addition, the funding paid for a skimmer boat 11 feet long with a loader bucket and an 8-foot boom cutter, allowing for productive, efficient and effective removal of vegetation and dead fish on the water, he told the council.

“We utilize our three beach rakes to keep our beaches clean, but now not only are we on land, but we’re going by sea,” DeMilio said. “These little skimmer boats will not only help us with seaweed and debris in our ponds, but the same skimmer can also scoop up dead fish should we have another red tide.”

TDC member Ed Chiles asked DeMilio how the seaweed and other debris is disposed of, to which he replied that it is taken to shore, then loaded into trucks with a device known as a grappling loader. The debris is then hauled away like any other waste product.

DeMilio said the funding has contributed to:

  • Implementation of a new, higher standard of cleanliness,
  • Better customer service to all visitors,
  • Timely response to safety concerns, repairs and damage,
  • Implementing a lost and found on the county website, and
  • Decreased restroom and cleanup complaints by 90%.

Reel Time: Pick up some trash, win some cash

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors, Reel Time.

PALMETTO – Suncoast Aqua Ventures will hold its 5th Annual Reef and Beach Cleanup the weekend of Oct. 2-3 at the Bradenton Yacht Club, 4307 13th St. W.

Participants from the 2019 cleanup pose with their “catch.” – Submitted

Suncoast Aqua Ventures was formed in 2016 when a few friends were scuba diving. Upon surfacing, the divers all commented on the amount of trash they had seen underwater, trash that most people aren’t aware of. That day they made a pact to get some friends together and “clean this stuff up.” Three months later they had their first Reef and Beach Cleanup.

The participants create a shoe tree every year from the shoes they find underwater. – Submitted

“Over the years, we would add an interesting twist to a typical cleanup event,” said Cheryl Huntsinger, who heads the event. “Knowing how competitive the human spirit can be, we added a little cash to the equation, gearing this like a fishing tournament with cash and prizes.” During the inaugural event in 2016, 40 people recovered over 1,800 pounds of trash. In 2019, 170 participants recovered just shy of 19,000 pounds of trash and debris from Manatee County waters during the two-day event.

The event is free to enter and kicks off Saturday, Oct. 2. Registration is from 8-10 a.m. After registration, there’s a free breakfast, and cleanup supplies will be distributed. “Weigh-in” is Sunday, Oct. 3 from 1-3 p.m. at the Yacht Club. Food will be served, and there will be parking lot vendors, kids’ activities, and a mermaid for photo ops. The cleanup encourages volunteers as well as spectators to come to the event.

“Come see what’s found out there that shouldn’t be in the water!” Huntsinger said.

Participants are eligible for over $5,000 in cash paid in 18 categories. Entry is free for all participants. First Place winners take $500, Second Place takes $250 and Third Place takes $100 for fishing tackle, nets, rope, recyclables, chain and other metals, trash and anchors. $300 will be awarded for the most tires and $300 will be awarded for the most unique item on land or sea determined by the judges.

Register online in advance to ensure the group has enough food, supplies and T-shirts. For more information, call Cheryl Huntsinger at 941-962-1488 or Troy Brown at 941-737-3165, email suncoastaquaventures@gmail.com, visit their website or follow them on Facebook where there will be frequent posts leading up to the event!

Local resident serious about educating visitors

Local resident serious about educating visitors

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – After a recent social media post received thousands of responses from locals and tourists alike, people are taking notice of local resident Kerry Robertson and her efforts to educate visitors to Anna Maria Island about how to leave a small footprint and respect Island wildlife. 

After a successful career in insurance, the Chicago area native was longing to leave the fast-paced corporate life for something simpler, and a slower pace of life. 

“I came down here to explore this beautiful area; it’s been on my bucket list forever,” said Robertson, who said her 24-year-old daughter gave her the “daughter blessing” to come to AMI and live her dream. 

After settling in three years ago, Robertson made it her mission to get to know the wildlife and do anything she could to promote responsible visiting by those who may not know just how much the Island has to offer beyond tiki bars and great weather. 

“I came down here sight unseen; I sold everything I had and kept only what was most important to me, and would fit in the back of my SUV. My sister and I road-tripped down here like Thelma and Louise, and I honestly didn’t even know Anna Maria Island existed. I rented my apartment sight unseen, and when I drove over the Cortez bridge it was a spiritual experience for me; I cried,” said Robertson, describing her move to AMI. 

That “spiritual experience” didn’t fade after getting settled on the Island. Robertson began to pick up trash when she saw it left on the beach, and educate herself on the delicate ecosystem that many visitors may not be aware of. Those efforts and passions led to this social media post that drew attention to her and her efforts:

Why vs. why not. Why fill in the holes you dig on the beach? Do you dig holes in your own local park and leave them? Why pick up another person’s trash? Do you walk by a candy wrapper or pop can on your own street? Why refrain from feeding the wildlife? Do you stand in your own yard and throw them food they don’t normally eat? Why refrain from chasing the birds? Would you chase your indigenous birds away from their feeding ground and babies? Why keep your dogs off of the beach? Would you take your dog to a bird or turtle sanctuary? Common sense must prevail when any of us have the privilege to go on an adventure to a place that’s new and exciting and different from our comfort zone! AMI IS magical. It’s also a pelican and turtle refuge. It’s not all about us humans having an awesome vacation. We can respect the nature we are invading with our presence. Leaving holes on the beach causes deep tide pools. Can be a trap for nesting turtles and their hatchlings. Dogs can scare the shore birds. Chasing and feeding the birds interrupts their natural rhythm of gathering to fish. Leaving trash is well… some people will… so just be a Good Samaritan and pick up that bottle cap. Be in awe how the birds work together. Teach the kids to appreciate them. Build a sand castle. Take a picture, and then water it down. Be a good steward of the environment right around you, like you own the place! Bring your fur babies to the causeway, restaurants and beautiful parks that welcome them! Get a tan! Find awesome shells. Have many frozen drinks. Take lots of pics so you can remember where you were when you forget the rest of the world for a while. Welcome to paradise! 

“I like to look around and see what kind of footprint I left when I leave the beach. I’ve had some of the best conversations just renting a beach chair and talking to families,” said Robertson, who brings a couple of books with her when she visits the beach. 

“One book is about the animals of the shore, and the other is a book on local shells,” said Robertson, who will offer to loan the books to families to read with their children who love learning about what shells they have found, or what animals they may have encountered. Simple efforts like this not only bring enjoyment to children, but educate parents as well. This kind of interaction with families opens the door to discuss other measures of conservation with the people she meets, making her efforts fun, as well as educational.

Related coverage

 

Flippers and Feathers

 

Bird Tips

 

Turtle Tips

 

Live Like a Local

Fourth of July beach cleanup

Cleaning up holiday trash in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Beach, Outdoors.

HOLMES BEACH — Revelers may have left a lot of trash on Island beaches following the July 4 holiday, but it’s disappearing thanks to a few dedicated volunteers.

About two dozen people came out the morning of July 5 to help rid the beach of trash and other debris left after the long holiday weekend.

The clean-up, organized by the Code Enforcement Department, kicked off with volunteers from Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring taking to the beach with trash bags to clean up during their early morning patrols. Code Enforcement Officers James Thomas and Nate Brown set up a supply station near the 52nd Street beach access where volunteers could pick up cold drinks, trash bags, volunteer T-shirts and other supplies.

Give-away items and supplies for the event were provided by the city, Waste Pro and Keep Manatee Beautiful.

Volunteers picked up trash and debris for several hours, which was collected by Waste Pro and Holmes Beach Public Works employees. Among the volunteers who took to the sand were a group of cross-country runners from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.

Cross-Country Coach Wendy Kovich, a Holmes Beach resident, said she’d like to create a group of students to regularly help clean up the beaches and volunteer with AMITW.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Marvin Grossman, who helped collect trash along with residents Kim and Theresa Rash, said he was happy with the camaraderie among volunteers.

“It was fun,” he said of the clean-up.

Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the movement to help keep the beaches and beach ends clean was a combined effort by city public works employees, Waste Pro and city law enforcement.

Waste Pro agreed to make additional trash pick-ups at beach ends, also providing larger or additional collection containers over the holiday weekend. Additionally, public works employees provided additional debris collections at beach ends.

Tokajer said he felt beachgoers were “very responsible” in removing their trash and other debris when leaving the beach.

“This is the cleanest day after a holiday on the beach I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Everybody’s a winner here.”

https://www.holmesbeachfl.org