Meet our 2026 Summer Interns!
We’re thrilled to welcome our new interns, Kate Sweeney and Felicity Ruiz. They have brought fresh energy and ideas to our programs. You can learn more about them below.
We have an exciting lineup of activities planned, including workshops, and community events. These opportunities are designed to help youth explore their interests, develop new skills, and connect with peers.
We encourage you to get involved and take advantage of the diverse programs we offer. Together, we can create a supportive environment that fosters growth and learning for all our youth.
New 2026 Summer Interns
Kate Sweeney
Kate is a rising freshman at Florida State University studying marketing with a minor in psychology. Growing up on the California coast before moving to Florida’s Gulf Coast gave her deep appreciation for marine and coastal ecosystems. She previously worked as a Sarasota County camp counselor, has competed in the Junior Olympics for sailing, and a US Sailing-certified coach. Managing social media for student organizations like her school’s SGA and FBLA sparked her passion for marketing. This summer, she’ll be supporting our Ecology and Natural Resources and Sustainability programs. When she’s not at the beach or on the water, you can find her spending time with friends or hanging out with her cats, Duke and Daisy.
Felicity Ruiz
Felicity is a rising senior at Texas A&M University at Galveston studying marine biology with a minor in coastal environmental science and society. Her experiences range from conservation work in New Zealand and Australia to showing goats and competing in dairy judging through FFA. She also earned her Certified Vet Assistant credential in high school, allowing she to work in a vet office. This summer, she’ll be working with our 4-H Youth Development program. She hopes to one day become an educator and help others learn about our oceans and our coasts.
For more information about Sarasota 4-H, click here.
Apply for a Sarasota County Internship!
Are you interested in getting hands-on experience in your chosen field? Do you want to make a difference in your community?
Intern Sarasota County is dedicated to providing students with an unsurpassed learning experience and insight into the dynamic world of public sector employment.
Upcoming Events at Extension:
Let’s Make Some Black Gold! | Monday, August 3 @ 5PM-6:30PM EDT | UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
Attendees will learn the basics of home composting, the benefits of composting, and how to build a home compost system. Plus, attendees will have the option to purchase a GEOBIN compost bin.
CEU Training – Turfgrass Pests and Disease | Tuesday, August 4 @ 8AM-5PM EDT | UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
Earn up to 8 CEUs in this hands-on training that covers the common pests and diseases associated with turfgrass maintenance.
Dive deep into the world of turfgrass. Learn about the common pests and diseases you may encounter, as well as strategies for managing them.
Wild Sarasota: The Fabulous Florida Scrub-Jay | Wednesday, August 5 @ 4PM-5PM EDT |North Port Library.
Join us for a discussion of one of our most unique and interesting bird species. Found only in Florida, the Florida Scrub-Jay is a threatened species that inhabits imperiled habitat and has developed unique adaptations. We will discuss the natural history and conservation efforts of this special bird.
Creating Tranquil Twilight: Designing Evening Gardens (webinar) |Wednesday, August 5 @ 6PM-7:30PM EDT | Online event.
Explore fragrant gardens in Florida’s summer evenings, where night-blooming flowers thrive, offering respite and enchanting pollinators.
Demonstration Garden Tour: Shamrock Park | Friday, August 7 @ 9AM-11AM EDT | Shamrock Park and Nature Center.
Join Master Gardener volunteers on the first Friday of every month for a free tour of the demonstration garden at Shamrock Park and Nature Center in Venice. The garden integrates beautifully into the natural environment, using Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ techniques that you can adopt for your home or business landscape.
Stay Cool in Sarasota: Hotspots and Safety Tips (webinar) | Wednesday, August 12 @ 12PM-12:30PM EDT | Online event.
Join us for an engaging class where we explore Sarasota’s top hotspots and delve into the risks associated with extreme heat. We’ll cover essential safety tips to help you stay cool and protected during high temperatures. This class will provide valuable information on recognizing heat-related illnesses, preventive measures, and practical strategies for staying hydrated and cool. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to enjoy Sarasota safely while managing the challenges of extreme heat.
HOA IRRIGATION: A Common Problem in Common Areas | Wednesday, August 12 @6PM-7:30PM EDT | UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
Geared for HOA board members, this class will teach you how to identify opportunities to save both water and money in community common areas.
Heat and Sun Safety for Outdoor Workers | Thursday, August 13 @ 3PM-4:30PM EDT | Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library.
This training focuses on real-world heat and sun safety practices for anyone who works long hours in the sun. Participants will learn how to protect themselves from UV overexposure and skin cancer, recognize early warning signs of heat illness, set up effective hydration and rest schedules, and respond quickly when heat illness occurs — before it becomes a medical emergency.
Green Business Best Practices (webinar) | Friday, August 14 @ 12PM-12:30PM EDT | Online event.
Join us to learn what UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is doing to assist businesses with going green. This course is designed to introduce businesses with best management practices for implementing environmental programs at the office.
Demonstration Garden Tour: Twin Lakes Park | Monday, August 17 @ 10AM-12PM | UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
Join Master Gardener volunteers on the third Monday of every month for a free tour of the demonstration garden at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota. The garden integrates beautifully into the natural environment, using Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ techniques that you can adopt for your home or business landscape.
Got Purple Pipes? Learn About Reclaimed Water (webinar) | Tuesday, August 18 @ 12PM-1PM EDT | Online event.
If you see purple pipes or hydrants in your neighborhood, you likely have access to reclaimed water. But what is it, exactly? Reclaimed water is a highly treated, sustainable water source that helps conserve our precious drinking water supplies. Join us for an informative session to demystify reclaimed water and learn how it benefits both our community and your landscape.
Adapting with Purpose: Sarasota’s Climate Resilience in Action (webinar) | Wednesday, August 12PM EDT | Online event.
Join Sarasota County sustainability for a presentation on climate change planning and resilience strategies shaping our community’s future. Discover local mitigation efforts through Climate Action Plans, vulnerability assessments under the Resilient Florida Program, and other local adaptation projects in motion. Gain awareness of current initiatives, future priorities, and the role community input plays in shaping success during this 1 hour class. Attendees will leave with practical ways to get involved and simple steps to promote resilience and sustainability in their own homes and neighborhoods.
Recycling and Reducing Plastics | Wednesday, August 19 @ 2PM-3PM EDT | Shamrock Park & Nature Center.
“Recycling and Reducing Plastics” focuses on the issue of plastic pollution and discusses simple ways we can reduce the use of plastics in our daily life. The class brings awareness of how we use plastics from shopping habits to recycling behavior.
EcoWalk: Meditation in the Parks | Thursday, August 20 @ 9AM-10:30AM EDT | Urfer Family Park.
Join us for a contemplative walk where we will practice mindfulness, breathwork, and using all our senses to connect with nature. Marvel at one of Sarasota County’s spectacular natural areas during a mostly silent, meditative walk. In studies conducted around the world, researchers have found an association between spending time in nature and positive benefits to mental and physical health.
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