Emerson Point Preserve, Manatee County's conservation land at the mouth of the Manatee River, is home to the the third annual World Oceans Day Festival this Saturday. Parks and Natural Resources (PNR) staff and local vendors will offer ocean-themed activities from 9am until noon. Exhibitors will contribute hands-on activities and information that will help participants learn more about the world’s oceans and the amazing variety of life that inhabits them.Families will be able to dip nets into the Manatee River and discover the creatures hiding beneath the waves. PNR staff will share information about large local marine wildlife like sea turtles, lead oyster games and talk about the history of fishing in Manatee County.

World Oceans Day represents a partnership between Manatee County and several water- and ocean-related organizations in southwest Florida, including the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Program, IFAS Extension Sea Grant of Manatee County, Florida Maritime Museum, WayneAdventures, Florida Public Archaeology Network and Manatee County Environmental Protection and Ecological & Marine Services divisions.

World Ocean's Day Festival