What is Eyes on Seagrass?

The Eyes on Seagrass Program is a bi-annual citizen science event in partnership with Florida Sea Grant, Mote Marine Laboratory, and Sarasota and Manatee counties to measure macroalgae and seagrass coverage. The program was expanded from Charlotte Harbor to cover Sarasota Bay in 2021 in response to a data gap in macroalgae monitoring. During a two-week window in April and July, participants travel to various locations throughout Sarasota Bay to collect information on macroalgae and seagrass coverage. Results are then integrated into Sarasota Bay Ecosystem Health Report Card.

The July sampling will take place between July 8th and July 23rd.

How To Participate

Step 1: Find a friend with a boat (maybe you are that friend!) and have ONE PERSON register your team using the register button below. You can pick your site preference and in-person training date (for new volunteers) during registration. We will then email you which site(s) you have.

Step 2: Pick up your sampling gear at a prearranged time between June 26 - July 7 from:

• SBEP office downtown (111 S. Orange Ave. Suite 200W, Sarasota)
• Sarasota County Building (1001 Sarasota Center Blvd, Sarasota).
• An in-person training

Step 3: Attend an in-person training (for new volunteers), and/or read the sampling instructions and watch the video below to learn how to sample and record your data.

• June 26th from 9am - 10am: Coquina Beach South Pavillion (1300 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217)
• June 30th from 9am-10am: Blackburn Point Park (800 Blackburn Point Rd, Osprey, FL 34229)