SBEP Receives FISH Partnership Award from Non-profit Group

« Photo: Greta Man with Around the Bend Nature Tours pointing out
  various tree species to Bay Guardian volunteers at FISH Preserve.
  The Bay Guardians removed debris and invasive plants at the preserve in November 2011.

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) received an award at the recent Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival held in Manatee County. The FISH Partnership Award acknowledged SBEP for its ongoing support of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH). Dianne Rosensweig with Scheda Ecological Associates was also honored with a FISH Partnership Award at the popular festival.

FISH is a non-profit organization that purchased a 95-acre parcel adjacent to Sarasota Bay within the Village of Cortez in 1999. Its mission is to help restore and protect the upland and wetland habitats and adjacent waters.

SBEP is supporting the ongoing restoration at FISH Preserve. The first phase of the large-scale project was completed in the summer and involved the removal of exotic vegetation, creation of a tidal wetland, and mangrove restoration. Two bridges were also constructed to connect hiking trails. Future plans involve creation of kayak trails and converting two stormwater retention ponds into more natural wetland features.