First Missions are Live!

This month, Venice Area Audubon Rookery was transformed into Sarasota County’s first Agents of Discovery mission location!

Agents of Discovery is an interactive, location-based mobile app featuring games and challenges to do at select Sarasota County parks. Special Agents can unlock new challenges with the help of virtual Field Agent Forest Parker until their mission is complete!

Special Agents came from all over the county to participate in nature-focused interactive challenges and try their first mission together.  At the launch event Special Agents met with Sarasota County staff who assisted them in accomplishing their mission. Field Agent Forest Parker even made a surprise appearance to help with the challenges! Some Agents’ favorite challenges included selecting what alligators should eat and identifying bird sounds! With teamwork and adventure, everyone had fun revealing clues to solve each challenge. Solve all challenges and earn a digital badge for that mission.

Missed Out on this Special Mission Event? More Mission Launches Coming Soon!

Missions at Venice Area Audubon Rookery and Pinecraft Park are live and available for your Special Agent to complete at any time during park hours. Mission Red Bug Slough Preserve goes live July 1. Play at Venice Area Audubon Rookery until Aug. 17.

New missions are released regularly with corresponding in-person events. Visit SarasotaCountyParks.com/AOD for a list of current mission sites, or join us at one of our in-person events!

• Pinecraft Park Mission: July 3, 9-10:30am
• Red Bug Slough Preserve Mission: July 21, 9-10:30am
• Shamrock Park and Nature Center Mission: Aug.20  4-5:30pm
• Phillippi Estate Park Mission: Sept.6, 9-10:30am

Registration is required for these free community events. Visit bit.ly/Agents.

Join us Sept. 27 from 8:30am to 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!

Getting Started is Simple!

1. Download the Agents of Discovery free app on any mobile device at the Apple App Store or Google Play.
2. Create your account. Do this by going into the app and clicking “Create Account,” then entering an email address, username, and password. The app will then save your progress and any digital badges earned.
3. Go to a participating location. Starting June 4, Agents of Discovery is available to play at Venice Area Audubon Rookery and Pinecraft Park. Red Bug Slough Preserve will be available July 1. Mission sites will be rotated regularly. Keep up to date with current mission locations at SarasotaCountyPark.com/AOD.

   

4. Once on location, open the app and begin. Select “Missions” to view available missions. 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.
5. 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. Change language in app, under settings.

More Opportunities for Exploration in Nature

Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability and the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department offer many opportunities to learn while exploring our county’s natural areas.</P

• Learn about UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County opportunities for youth and their families.
• Learn more about virtual guided hikes at select Sarasota County natural areas.
• Find event listings for Sarasota County parks.
• Get information about any of the 140 Sarasota County parks and plan o visit.

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