South Venice residents focus on water quality at Alligator Creek Nature Festival

Nearly 275 South Venice residents gathered at South Venice Yacht Club to focus on water quality in Alligator Creek important for sustaining fish, wildlife, and quality of life for residents. Sarasota County hosted this first ever event focused on Alligator Creek with environmental partners Science and Environment Council, Venice Area Audubon Society, Venice Area Beautification Inc., Sarasota Bay Watch, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program and UF/IFAS.

“We all love Florida coastal living and want to be good neighbors to our natural creeks and bays. This was a really fun event for neighbors to get together and learn about how to connect with and protect the beauty and adventure in their own back yard,” said Jennifer Shafer, executive director of science and environment council.

Neighborhood old-timers and newcomers alike met and mingled with environmental scientists and citizen volunteers from local environmental organizations to learn about the creek and how to protect it, all while enjoying barbecue burgers and live music. About 60 residents paddled out to explore the creek, many for the very first time, on free guided kayak tours with WayneAdventures.

“This is the first time we’ve had a chance to kayak here in our own neighborhood”, reported Erik and Robin Jensen who live across from Alligator Creek. “I just learned that the fish out in the Gulf, they start here in the mangroves. This is their nursery area.”