Sarasota Bay News & Views

Sarasota Bay SpoonbillSarasota Bay Today is focused exclusively on Sarasota Bay spanning Sarasota and Manatee County on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It was created to provide the public with helpful insights about the people involved with the ongoing efforts to restore and protect this scenic and vital water system. Future postings will include articles about local issues as well as interviews with professionals focused on water quality, habitat restoration, resource management, estuary science, aquatic research, conservation, wildlife protection, environmental education, and related topics.

Interview with Tim Rumage, Ringling School of Art & Design

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

Editor’s Note: Tim Rumage is a faculty member at Ringling School of Art & Design based in Sarasota. He heads the Environmental Studies Program and teaches a series of courses related to ecology, environmental science, and environmental ethics. The overall goal of the program is to make students aware of their role and opportunities in the environment as artists, designers and individuals. Tim completed his studies in biology at Bowdoin College and Boston University. He also worked at the Rhode … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Habitat Restoration, Resource Management, Water Quality | Tagged Belgrade Lakes region, Bucky Fuller, Carrie Mae Weems, cognitive ecology, cognitive symbiosis, corporate social responsibility, Cruise Ship Earth, environmental ethics, Environmental Studies Program, habitat protection and restoration for migratory birds, Jennifer McCrickerd, Jevon’s Paradox, John James Audubon, Natural Capitalism, Spaceship Earth, sustainability, Triple Bottom-Line Management, wildlife rehabilitation | Leave a comment

Interview with Randy Moore, Event Director for Sarasota Bay Water Festival

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

Editor’s Note: Randy is the director of the Sarasota Bay Water Festival. The free community event is set for Saturday, October 6 at Ken Thompson Park located near Mote Marine Laboratory on City Island in Sarasota. Randy owns Triple 3 Marketing and his business is the marketing contractor for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP). SBEP is the host sponsor for the event. Learn more at www.sarasotabaywaterfestival.com. Randy was the director of the E-Fest Green Living Music and Arts Festival … Continue reading →

Posted in Resource Management | Tagged sarasota bay photography and art, sarasota bay recreation, sarasota bay science and education | Leave a comment

Interview with Sara Kane, SBEP Public Outreach Manager

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

Editor’s Note: Sara Kane is the Public Outreach Manager for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) based in Sarasota, Florida. She joined the intergovernmental agency in September 2009. Sara supports the education and public outreach goals of SBEP and she also serves as the primary liaison with the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is a 26-person group that provides citizen input and advocacy support for SBEP throughout the region. Sara, what attracted you to SBEP originally? I was familiar … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Habitat Restoration, Nutrient Pollution, Resource Management, Water Quality | Tagged awareness, community involvement, environmental education, stewardship | Leave a comment

Interview with Zachary Cole, University of Florida

Posted on March 10, 2012 by

Editor’s Note: Zachary Cole, a PhD candidate at the University of Florida, is planning to conduct a survey to better understand the social values of local ecosystem services around Sarasota Bay. The study is funded by the University of Florida Sea Grant Program in partnership with the United States Geological Survey. Zac recently made a presentation about the project to the SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). Zac, what is the scope of the study as it relates to Sarasota Bay? … Continue reading →

Posted in Resource Management | Tagged coastal system research, environmental systems research, research, sarasota bay, sarasota bay study, social values, social values study | Leave a comment

Interview with Jon Thaxton, Sarasota County Commissioner

Posted on March 1, 2012 by

Editor’s Note: Jon Thaxton is a Sarasota County Commissioner who has served the public since 2000. He’s a fourth generation citizen who resides in Osprey. Jon is recognized throughout Florida as a leading advocate for protecting the natural environment. He was an early critic of Florida’s failed growth management policies and offered alternatives to help preserve Sarasota’s natural, economic and social amenities. Jon began working at his family-owned and operated real estate company at the age of 14, and at … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Habitat Restoration, Nutrient Pollution, Resource Management, Water Quality | Tagged florida jay, low impact development, Pat Glass, sarasota commissioner, Sarasota County water supply, scrub-jay | 3 Comments

Interview with Cris Costello, Sierra Club

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

Editor’s Note: Cris Costello is a Regional Organizer for the Sierra Club. In her current position she coordinates the Florida Red Tide Campaign to prevent harmful algal outbreaks in both coastal and inland waters by eliminating point and non-point sources of nutrient pollution. Cris has worked with the Sierra Club since 2007. She is also a member of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) Citizens Advisory Committee. A former community organizer, Cris has also done work in the area of … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrient Pollution, Red Tide (Algae Blooms), Water Quality | Tagged Everglades Restoration campaign, Everglades Skyway, Florida Red Tide Campaign, Florida's National Estuary Programs, offshore oil drilling, phosphate mining, Sierra Club Greater Everglades Ecosystem Resilient Habitat Campaign, sustainable landscaping practices | Leave a comment

Interview with Jeanne Dubi, Sarasota Audubon

Posted on January 28, 2012 by

Editor’s Note: Jeanne Dubi is the president of Sarasota Audubon. Before moving to Florida in 1997, she lived in New York City and was vice president and general manager of Harper’s Magazine. Jeanne is on the faculty of Pierian Spring Academy, a college level continuing education program for adults of all ages. I spoke with Jeanne recently about birds associated with Sarasota Bay and our region. This includes year round species as well as migrating birds. Please visit www.sarasotaaudubon.org to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Habitat, Estuary Features, Habitat Restoration | Tagged beach nesting birds, Celery Fields, dog parks, feral cats | 2 Comments

Interview with Jack Merriam

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

Editor’s Note: John (Jack) Merriam is a graduate of USF Tampa, having received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the USF College of Natural Sciences in the early 70s. Jack has worked for a variety of agencies including: St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Florida Department of Natural Resources, Florida House of Representatives, Hillsborough County Stormwater Section, and most recently with Sarasota County Government. Jack’s current interests include fostering a more sustainable, healthy, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Resource Management | Tagged Florida House, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, Grizzle-Figg Legislation, low impact design and development, National Estuary Program, Sarasota County Government, Southwest Florida Water Management District, water management districts | 1 Comment

Economic Value Study of Sarasota Bay: Interview with Paul Hindsley, PhD

Posted on December 29, 2011 by

Editor’s Note: The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) contracted with Eckerd College in St. Petersburg in 2011 to complete the first ever economic value study of Sarasota Bay. The study will evaluate the economic benefits of Sarasota Bay and its adjacent natural resources spanning Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The analysis will focus on the direct and indirect use values of coastal recreation and coastal residential real estate. I recently interviewed Paul Hindsley, PhD, the lead researcher for the study. Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Resource Management, Water Quality | Tagged budget planning, economic benefits, economic value study, environmental protection, Indian River Lagoon, Sarasota Bay Estuary | 1 Comment

Interview with Jay Leverone, PhD

Posted on December 28, 2011 by

Editor’s Note: Jay Leverone, PhD, is the staff scientist for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) based in Sarasota, Florida. He joined the organization in October 2008 after working as a research scientist for Mote Marine Laboratory the prior 28 years. Jay is an expert in shellfish ecology and the taxonomy of marine invertebrates. His research centered on estuarine ecosystems and how they are influenced by physical disturbances and water quality degradation. I interviewed Jay recently to learn more about … Continue reading →

Posted in Artificial Reefs, Bay Scallops, Estuary Features, Habitat Restoration, Nutrient Pollution, Resource Management, Seagrass Coverage, Sewage Spills, Tidal Creeks, Water Quality | Tagged estuarine ecosystems, Fisheries monitoring, gag grouper, Hudson Bayou, Macroalgae abundance, Mote Marine Laboratory, numeric standards for water quality, red tide, research projects, Sarasota Bay habitats, stone crabs, Whitaker Bayou | Leave a comment