Calling all Special Agents!
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County in partnership with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources is excited to launch our new interactive learning experience, Agents of Discovery! Agents of Discovery is an award-winning educational mobile game used to transform the outdoors into a one-of-a-kind learning experience. In this app, Special Agents will complete nature-based challenges at select Sarasota County Parks to complete a mission. Although designed for kids ages 6-12, this experience is free summer fun for the whole family! The missions are available to play anytime, so put on your agent disguise and head on out to participating parks during open hours.
“These missions offer nature-based interactive learning while exploring some of Sarasota County’s most beautiful and unique natural areas.”
— Dr. Katherine Clements, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Want to Play Agents of Discovery? Beginning Your First Mission is Simple!
- Download the Agents of Discovery free app on any mobile device at the App Store or Google Play.
- Create your account! Do this by going into the app and clicking “Create Account”. All you will need is an email address, username, and password. The app will then save your progress and any digital badges acheived.
- Go to a participating location. Starting June 4th, Agents of Discovery is available to play at Venice Area Audubon Rookery and Pinecraft Park. Red Bug Slough Preserve will be available on July 1st. Mission sites will be rotated regularly. Keep up to date with current mission locations at SarasotaCountyPark.com/AOD.
- Once on location, open the app and begin! Select “Missions” and the mission list will appear. Tap on the mission where you are located and a trail map will appear to guide you on where to go to complete each challenge.
- Complete all challenges and receive a digital badge for that mission! Way to go Special Agent!
Missions are auto-translated into Spanish, French, and Mandarin! Select language in app, under settings.
Special Mission Events!
Need a little help getting started? Want to complete missions and challenges with other Special Agents & Sarasota County staff? Join Sarasota County staff at in-person mission events each time we launch a new site. Combine adventure with teamwork and try Agents of Discovery together!
Come out for these special mission events to learn all about Agents of Discovery and complete a mission!
- July 3rd 9:00-10:30am – Pinecraft Park
- July 21st 9:00-10:30am – Red Bug Slough Preserve
- August 20th 4:00-5:30pm – Shamrock Park and Nature Center
- September 6th 9:00-10:30am – Phillippi Estate Park
Registration required for these free community events, visit bit.ly/Agents.
Join us on September 27, 2025 from 8:30am – noon at Phillippi Estate Park for National Public Lands Day and Celebrate Take A Child Outside week with Nature Exploration Stations. Staff will be on hand to assist you with Agents of Discovery… and so much more!
Play on your own any time select parks are open. Find which mission locations are currently active at SarasotaCountyPark.com/AOD.
More Opportunities for Exploration in Nature
Sarasota County’s UF/IFAS Extension and Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Departments offer many opportunities to learn while exploring our county’s natural areas.
Learn about UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County’s opportunities for youth and their families.
Learn more about virtual guided hikes at select Sarasota County natural areas.
Click for a listing of all events at Sarasota County Parks.
Choose one of the over 140 Sarasota County Parks to visit here.
Before bringing your fur family with you, check which parks are dog-friendly. Dog-friendly parks require dogs to be on a maximum 6-foot, hand-held leash. Not all parks are dog-friendly in an effort to protect sensitive ecosystems and the wildlife within.
Check out More About Agents of Discovery in our Blog Series
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