Sarasota Bay

Scientists to discuss Suncoast environmental threats at free Sarasota panel

A free event — dubbed “Beneath the Surface: The Environmental Stories Shaping our Community” — starts at 3 p.m. April 15 inside the Bayfront Community Center in Sarasota behind the Municipal Auditorium. Presented in partnership with the Science and Environment Council, it is part of Suncoast Searchlight’s ongoing community engagement series supported by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Midnight Pass, between Siesta and Casey keys in Sarasota County, was reopened by hurricanes Helene and Milton last summer after being closed for 40 years and is, for now, remaining a viable waterway

Hurricane Recovery

Midnight Pass remains open after hurricanes restored the Sarasota waterway last year

Tom Bayles

Hurricane Helene breached the large dune between the Gulf and the old Midnight Pass channel. Hurricane Milton’s surge fully reopened and enlarged Midnight Pass

This is what it's all about for those who care about excellent water quality in a coastal bay or lagoon on Florida's Gulf Coast: Thick, lush seagrass meadows provide critical habitat for fish, crabs, shrimp, manatees, and sea turtles while also stabilizing shorelines and improving water clarity

Environment

Sarasota Bay’s sea grass population soars; setting benchmark for other marine reclamation efforts

Tom Bayles

Sarasota Bay managers have managed a rare win in sea grass health and recovery in lagoons and bay around the state.

A wetland alongside a defunct City of Sarasota golf course has been reclaimed and is now an integral part of water quality improvements in Sarasota Bay by processing runoff from eight miles of neighborhoods keeping 4,000 pounds of nitrogen from entering the bay

Environment

Water Quality Report: Defunct inland golf course part of Sarasota Bay's improvements

Tom Bayles

Even the defunct Bobby Jones golf course has contributed to water quality improvements in Sarasota Bay so that waters are cleaner now than at any time over the past 10 to 15 years