Category: Community Volunteers

Meet Sarah Denison Williams: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements and Zahir Ringgold Cordes

August 3, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Sarah Denison Williams A native of Florida’s east coast, Sarah Denison Williams has been smitten with the natural world since attending ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Conservation, Florida Master Naturalist Program, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers

Meet Tish Sacks: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements and Zahir Ringgold Cordes

July 2, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate. Meet Tish Sacks Graduates form the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) routinely influence others with their knowledge of the natural world, ... READ MORE

Meet Kristen Sturgeon: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements and Zahir Ringgold Cordes

June 3, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Kristen Sturgeon Meet Kristen Sturgeon, an Environmental Specialist III with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. In this ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Master Naturalist Program, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers

With Gratitude for Sarasota County Extension’s Volunteers

by Lee Hayes Byron
April 29, 2026

I want to share some amazing numbers: Sarasota County Extension’s 282 volunteers contributed 13,604 hours of service, worth over $448,000, in 2025. That volunteer service is equal to another 6.5 full-time staff, which, on our small ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Work & Life
Tags: 4-H Volunteers, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_Admin, Volunteers

Celebrating Volunteers

by Karen Geis
April 20, 2026

For the global volunteer month in April, the Sarasota County Commissioners honored all county department volunteers March 24 for their outstanding efforts throughout Sarasota County in 2025. UF/IFAS Extension celebrated its volunteers April ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: 4-H Volunteers, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_Admin, UF/IFAS Extension

Meet Dr. Mary Davis: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Zahir Ringgold Cordes and Katherine Clements

April 6, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Dr. Davis This is Dr. Mary Davis, a retired PhD Ecologist and Sarasota County volunteer. She is also a Florida Master Naturalist Program graduate. ... READ MORE

Training for Impact: 2025’s Energy Upgrade Program Evolves

by Casey McCabe
August 28, 2025

A Short History of the Energy Upgrade Program The Energy Upgrade program was established in 2012 to educate homeowners in Sarasota County on energy and water efficiency. In 2016, based on community research, the program expanded to include ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Home Management, Money Matters, Professional Development
Tags: Assistance, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Learn, Pgm_Sustain, Professional Development, Sustainability, Training

An Open Door to Growing More: Become a Master Gardener

by Ashley Ellis
July 28, 2025

Are you passionate about plants, sustainable landscapes, and community education? The UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office is now accepting applications for the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) training course! We’re looking for ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Landscape, Master Gardener Volunteer, Pgm_HortRes

LIFE Field Trips: Students Experience Florida’s Environment

by Katherine Clements and Evelyn Spencer

July 10, 2025

What is LIFE? The Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) program is a science-based educational experience that engages 4th and 5th grade students in Sarasota County in 1-hour preparatory in-class presentations followed by a 3-hour field ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Ecology, Learning In Florida's Environment, LIFE, Natural Resources, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Science, SRQ_LIFE

Meet Margaret Monti: A Florida Master Naturalist Program Success Story

by Katherine Clements
June 20, 2025

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Florida Master Naturalist Courses Inspire a Life of Volunteerism and Nature Immersion Like many Florida residents, Margaret Monti is a transplant. ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Conservation, Course, Ecology, Florida Master Naturalist Program, FMNP, Fmnp-in-srq, Learn, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Wildlife

Subscribe For More Great Content