Pictured: Community members are invited to enjoy a morning in nature, as Big Waters Land Trust and Sarasota Audubon Society celebrate the grand opening of the Southeast Quad adjacent to the Celery Fields on October 24. Photo by Bill Sullivan.

In 2019, the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners granted Big Waters Land Trust (at that time known as the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast) a perpetual conservation easement on the southeast, northeast and southwest Quad Parcels adjacent to the Celery Fields and, at the same time, entered into a management agreement with Sarasota Audubon to rewild and maintain the three parcels. Since that time, the organizations have collaborated to fundraise and secure external vendors to rewild these 33 acres, which will improve wildlife habitat, buffer the Celery Fields from industrial uses and I-75 to the west, and provide low-impact public access. Phase I of the rewilding project, launched in January 2025, involved improving the 11-acre Southeast Quad by planting over 21,000 trees and plants while creating trails, a pond, and wildlife-viewing gazebo. On Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. until noon, Big Waters and Audubon will celebrate the completion of Phase I, as the organizations present the public grand opening of the SE Quad. During the event, there will be tours of the 11-acre site every hour, family-friendly activities, and information provided by Audubon and Big Waters. Guests of all ages can enjoy walking, birdwatching, and learning more about the ongoing plans for the remaining parcels.

Pictured: Community members are invited to enjoy a morning in nature, as Big Waters Land Trust and Sarasota Audubon Society celebrate the grand opening of the Southeast Quad adjacent to the Celery Fields on October 24. Photo by Bill Sullivan.