Even as our annual summer rains have rolled in and nagging algal blooms have gradually given way, water remains a hot topic in our area, and one many people want to know more about.
As evidence, look no further than the Water Quality Summit hosted by Sarasota County Government. Hundreds of residents, business leaders, government officials, non-profit administrators and others attended the June 6 event at Riverview High School in Sarasota, eager to learn more about local water quality issues and what can be (and is being) done about them.
The summit delivered, too, with experts offering information on topics as wide-ranging as the science behind water quality and the decision-making process in the state capital. And fully 84 percent of attendees who responded to a post-event survey noted they plan to take action to protect and enhance local water quality.
For many, though, the summit actually whet the appetite, rather than quenched it. Nearly four in five survey respondents indicated an interest in attending water quality-focused educational programs in the future. To help them and others, the following list highlights our water-related classes scheduled for the near future. To register for an event and save your spot, click on the highlighted/linked event title or visit ufsarasotaext.eventbrite.com.
RESIDENTIAL
- Happy with Your HOA Landscape?, July 24, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Brainstorming for HOA Landscape Committees, July 25, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Lawn Care Made Simple, July 30, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Recycle Right!, July 31, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Shamrock Park Demonstration Garden Tour, Aug. 01, Shamrock Park and Nature Center, Venice
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ 101, Aug. 01, Florida House Institute, Sarasota
- Home Irrigation Inspection Training, Aug. 07, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Palm Care Made Simple, Aug. 08, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Let’s Make Some Black Gold!, Aug. 14, Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center, Englewood
- Rain Barrel Workshop, Aug. 17, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Happy with Your HOA Landscape, Aug. 21, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Native Plants for Birds, Aug. 21, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Home Irrigation Inspection Training, Sept. 04, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Shamrock Park Demonstration Garden Tour, Sept. 05, Shamrock Park and Nature Center, Venice
- Brainstorming for HOA Landscape Committees, Sept. 05, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Palm Care Made Simple, Sept. 06, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Cool Plants to Attract Butterflies and Pollinators, Sept. 11, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Lawn Care Made Simple, Sept. 19, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Rain Barrel Workshop, Sept. 21, Woodmere Park, Venice
- Let’s Make Some Black Gold!, Sept. 21, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Happy with Your HOA Landscape?, Sept. 25, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
PROFESSIONAL/INDUSTRY
- Aquatic and Natural Areas CEU, July 23, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
- Fertilizer Licensing and CEUs: Green Industries Best Management Practices, Sept. 24, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Sarasota
In addition, we provide a UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County speakers bureau, where organizations can request one (or more) of our experts visit a community center, workplace, classroom or other setting to speak on a specific topic for a meeting or other event.
Sarasota County staff, in the UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability and Stormwater departments and others, have committed to provide education on a variety of water quality-related topics. And we look forward to seeing you at some (or many) of these future classes.
Contributors: Dr. Marguerite Beckford, commercial horticulture agent; Dr. Abbey Tyrna, water resources agent; and Dr. Pat Williams, residential horticulture agent
0
