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Sarasota Bay Watch seeks vols for 2026 Great Scallop Search
Sarasota Bay Watch is seeking boaters and volunteers for the 2026 Great Scallop Search, a citizen science event that helps monitor the health of Sarasota Bay by surveying bay scallops, seagrasses, and other marine life.
To expand volunteer participation and survey coverage, the event will be held over two days:
· South Sarasota Bay, Aug. 22, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota.
· North Sarasota Bay, Aug. 23, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, 760 Broadway St., Longboat Key.
Volunteers will snorkel from boats and kayaks to collect scientific data that contributes to long-term monitoring of Sarasota Bay and Florida's coastal ecosystems. Additional
volunteers will record findings from boats.
"Every observation our volunteers make helps us better understand and protect Sarasota Bay," said Ronda Ryan, executive director of Sarasota Bay Watch. "Whether you're an experienced boater or participating for the first time, you're contributing valuable scientific data while helping protect one of our region's most important natural resources."
Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome, with a particular need for boat captains. To register go to sarasotabaywatch.org.
Climate Adaptation Center hosts 6th Florida Climate Conference
The Climate Adaptation Center will host its sixth annual Florida Climate Conference featuring climate scientists and local civic and business leaders on Nov. 12 at Selby Auditorium at USF Sarasota-Manatee/New College North Campus.
The conference will introduce the Sarasota Living Laboratory for Coastal Resilience – an initiative to integrate climate science, real-time environmental observations, artificial intelligence, advanced modeling, and local leadership into a system for protecting communities.
"The challenge isn't simply understanding climate change," said Bob Bunting, CEO of the Climate Adaptation Center. "The challenge is turning the best science into better decisions. Sarasota has the talent, institutions, and leadership to become one of the world's great laboratories for coastal resilience."
Speakers include Dr. Benjamin Kirtman, Dean of the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science; A.G. Lafley, founding CEO of Bay Park Conservancy; Jennifer Rominiecki, CEO of Selby Botanical Gardens; Joeseph McKenna, CEO of the Sarasota Orchestra; Dr. David Tomasko, a Florida expert on coastal ecosystems and water quality; and Bunting, who also is a former NOAA lead forecaster.
The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, visit theclimateadaptationcenter.org. For tickets and registration, visit tinyurl.com/yvxfnyfk.
School-based health center focus at Myakka Elementary
Myakka Elementary School and MCR Health will host two town halls in September to discuss the potential of creating a school-based health center at Myakka Elementary School.
MCR Health, in partnership with Results 1st, was awarded a planning grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation that supports an independent study to better understand the health care needs, priorities, and preferences of students, families, and the Myakka community.
School-based health centers include primary care, preventive services, and health education. The first town hall will be Sept. 24 from 6-7 p.m. at Myakka Elementary School, 37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City. The second info session, including a health fair, will be Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Myakka Elementary School. Food will be available at both events.
"We look forward to participating in the town halls and engaging with families, educators, and our neighbors to gather their valuable input because we know Myakka Elementary School holds a special place in our community," Myakka Elementary School Principal Carol Ricks said.
Around and about
· Tickets are on sale for the third annual Wellen Park Wine Festival (Nov. 13-14), including a five-course wine dinner on Nov. 13 at Solis Hall and a wine tasting class and Grand Tasting along Wellen Park Boulevard on Nov. 14 from 1-4 p.m. wellenpark.com/wine.
· Registration is underway for the Centerstone’s 24th annual Life;Story 5K and 10K event for suicide prevention on Sept. 19 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. The event includes a kids dash, a wellness expo and fall festival. Registration: centerstone.org/lifestory.
· The Child Protection Center will host a Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest on Oct. 31 at CPC’s Monda Family Campus of Healing in North Port. The event will feature a 5K race, a children’s Mini Monster Dash, and a free Fall family festival. Registration, sponsorships, information: CPCSarasota.org/events.
Submissions by Merab Favorite, Climate Adaptation Center, Aarti Lalwani, Emily Ford, Kate Fletcher, and Shannon Maloney.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Bay Watch seeks volunteers for Great Scallop Search eco event
