« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Apr 7, 2016

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"Seagrass is a fundamental element of the habitat for pretty much all life in the Bay."

- Elizabeth Sellick, SBEP
 

[Science]  SBEP Marks Gains with SeagrassFest
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

The good folks over at the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) are celebrating the record-setting growth of seagrass in the Sarasota Bay and they invite the rest of the surrounding community to join in with the first annual SeagrassFest at Ken Thompson Park on Apr. 30. Measuring the growth of seagrass since at least 1950, the SBEP reports a 5.6% increase in seagrasses in the bay from 2012-2014, meaning an additional 700 acres and the highest levels since the 1950s days of dredge and fill projects.

Found in shallow waters, these grass-like flowering plants live their entire lives completely submerged, where, in healthy waters, they grow full and abundant as a staple of the marine ecosystem. In addition to providing prime grazing material for Sarasota’s iconic manatees, the grasses operate as a sheltering home for the myriad species of fish that both commercial and game industries rely on. “Seagrass is a fundamental element of the habitat for pretty much all life in the Bay,” said Elizabeth Sellick, SBEP Public Outreach Manager. “Wildlife that depends on the seagrass for shelter and food just can’t be there if the seagrass is not there.”

Seagrass also serves a role in preventing coastal erosion by anchoring sediment, as well as greatly contributing to water transparency, making the five species found in the Bay – shoal grass, turtle grass, manatee grass, widgeon grass and star grass – also vital contributors to the tourism and eco-tourism industries.

 Celebrating the newfound growth at SeagrassFest, attendees will find hands-on games and activities, such as dipnetting in the Bay, kayaking with a naturalist and informative boat rides on the Carefree Learner, as well as live music from the Lee Stetson Band and Noel Harris and food from Surf Shack and Ain’t No Thang food trucks. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium staff will also be on hand with a mobile exhibit and a touch tank. “They’re all geared towards getting people engaged and educated as to why seagrass is important,” said Sellick.

Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines and Sarasota City Mayor and Vice Mayor, Willie Shaw and Suzanne Atwell, will be in attendance with Environmental Protection Agency Associate Deputy Administrator Ben Scaggs for a ceremonial planting.

The first annual SeagrassFest hits Sarasota Apr. 30 at Ken Thompson Park. 

[Dedication]  Ringling to Name Center for Thompson

The Ringling College of Art and Design Board of Trustees unveiled the new name of the central academic building as the Larry R. Thompson Academic Center. President of Ringling College since 1998, Dr. Larry Thompson has overseen rapid and revolutionary changes to the institution, including the addition of new majors, new facilities and satellite art centers and off-campus initiatives. The dedication places him among the other Ringling College figures who enjoy a campus presence, including former presidents Verman Kimbrough and Arland F. Christ-Janer. The College announced the dedication as part of its 85th anniversary and anticipating the opening of four new buildings on campus and in the community, including the Alfred R. Goldstein Library, the Richard and Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center, a professional soundstage and post-production complex, and the new South Campus, which will house the Sarasota Museum of Art and the Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy. 

Ringling College of Art and Design

[Exec Moves]  BMO Promotes Sandoval

BMO Private Bank announced the appointment of Tammie Sandoval as assistant vice president and director, Trust and Estate Services. In her expanded role, Sandoval will specialize in providing customized trust and estate administration for high net worth individuals and families as part of an overall personal wealth management strategy. Sandoval joined BMO in 2010, working in the Longwood office of M&I Wealth Management. She transferred to the Sarasota office four years ago and provided trust administration services to BMO trust clients in the Naples Private Bank office last year. 

BMO Private Bank

[New Service]  Rekkas Performs Orbera Procedure

Dr. Stelios Rekkas of the Manatee Surgical Alliance/Weight Loss-Center last week performed the first non-surgical, outpatient procedure using the FDA-approved Orbera Intragastric Balloon to assist weight-loss patients looking for a non-surgical approach to weight loss, making Manatee Memorial Hospital  the first hospital in the Sarasota-Manatee area to offer the procedure. The female patient, age 58, went home just hours after the procedure. 

Manatee Memorial Hospital

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024