Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is a cooperative partnership among communities, researchers, and governments that strives to improve the health of Sarasota Bay and enhance the area's natural resources for public benefit.

An aerial photo of the bay that reads "spring highlights, summer happenings"

Summer 2026 Bay Reflections

The summer issue of our quarterly newsletter is hot off the press! In this issue, explore the latest news from around Sarasota Bay, including a new peer-reviewed study on the bay's water quality recovery, $70,000 in community grant awards, and highlights from a scientific workshop on Midnight Pass. You'll also meet our newest team members, discover upcoming volunteer opportunities, catch up on spring watershed activities, and stay informed with partner news and water stories from around the web.

Recent News & Notes

More Than A Paddle: Veterans Find Healing, Community, and Discovery on Sarasota Bay

On a warm Saturday morning, a group of veterans and volunteers gathered at a boat ramp, unloaded kayaks, exchanged greetings, and prepared to spend a few hours exploring Sarasota Bay together. For some, it was another trip in a season full of paddling adventures. For others, it was their first time stepping into a kayak.…

Press Release: Scientific Community Convenes to Share Research on Midnight Pass

Sarasota, FL (June 17, 2026) – On June 4, 2026, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) hosted a scientific workshop focused on Midnight Pass and Little Sarasota Bay, bringing together researchers, agency representatives, local government officials, and community stakeholders. The workshop provided an opportunity to share ongoing research, identify knowledge gaps, and explore opportunities for…

Bay Walk Cleanup and Planting 2026

Saturday, July 18th, 2026, 8:00AM – 12:00 PM Join us in cleaning up and continuing to restore the Bay Walk Preserve (1500 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota)! There are two opportunities to volunteer: Cleanup Crew: You will be responsible for cleaning up the trash and litter around the boardwalk and within the mangroves. We recommend those…

Rose Park Living Shoreline

Background The Rose Park Living Shoreline Project is a two-phase initiative to restore and enhance the shoreline of Rose Park, a small public park owned and managed by Manatee County along the eastern edge of Palma Sola Bay. The project will transform a hardened shoreline into a resilient, nature-based coastal system that improves water quality,…

Midnight Pass Science Workshop

Convening for Our Coast On June 4, 2026, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) hosted a scientific workshop focused on Midnight Pass and Little Sarasota Bay, bringing together researchers, agency representatives, local government officials, stakeholders, and community members for a day of presentations, discussion, and collaboration.  Approximately 60 participants attended the workshop, representing 14 organizations…

Director’s Note: Entering the Wet Season Transition

You can feel it and hear it starting again, that familiar sticky humidity settling in, the rumble of thunder, the smell of rain hitting hot afternoon pavement. It feels like the wet season has arrived. But we’re not there yet. We are in the prelude to the wet season.   Even though we’re starting to see rain falling from the sky, this isn’t the…

Our Programs

We work with our partners to improve the science of bay management, restore wildlife habitats, and increase community engagement in bay restoration efforts.

Water Quality
Habitat Restoration
Community Engagement