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News from the Bay - News and Information

Wednesday September 23, 2009: SBW President John Ryan traveled to the campus of Tampa Bay Watch and helped build oyster domes. "It was a real learning experience and just great to be around Peter Clark, Chris Sutton and the others at TBW. They have a lot of going on including salt marsh planting with kids from 19 schools, a huge oyster dome project at McDill, and an new educational deck boat purchased with an EPA grant. At the Evening for the Bay they will be giving out TBW folding chairs paid for by a sponsor. They are still offering help, as always. A really positive experience that I recommend to all", related Ryan. Building oyster domes

Saturday August 8, 2009: The Second Annual Sarasota Bay Great Scallop Search has reached the capacity of 50 boats: Thank you for making this event a huge success. OPEN THE FLYER

Tuesday July 7, 2009: Sarasota Bay Watch welcomed Ashley Morrison as our first interm.

Friday and Saturday, April 24, 25,2009: Adam Fernandez and Rusty Chinnis attended the Sarasota Coastal Conservation Association All Release Tournament Captain's Meeting and Weigh-In and kicked off the Sarasota Bay Watch " Trash Can Slam Award". Adam and Rusty signed up seven new members and got 32 new contacts for the organization. Thanks to Adam Fernandez for tying flies for the Fly Division winner. SBW would also like to thank Mark Nichols of DOA for the custom box of DOA lures awarded the Ladies, General and Children's Division winners. Each division picked up trash, making Sarasota Bay cleaner than they found it!

Tuesday April 14, 2009: Judy Williams of the Longboat Key Garden Club presented Sarasota Bay Watch President Rusty Chinnis and Eagle Scout Dan Ryan a $1,000.00 grant check from the Garden Club. Ryan will be using the funds for an Eagle Scout project to build transects for Sarasota Bay Watch’s next Sarasota Bay Scallop Search which will be held in August 2009. Ryan Receives Grant

Thursday April 2, 2009: Sarasota Bay Watch was the beneficiary of a wine tasting fund raisers at Harry's Continental Kitchens on Longboat Key. Sarasota Bay Watch would like to thank Lynn, Harry, Hal Christensen and Harry's expert staff for a fun and profitable event. Read about it in the Longboat Observer.

Wednesday March 11,2009: President Rusty Chinnis and the Board of Sarasota Bay Watch regrets to report that Founding Member and Board Event Chair Charlotte Richardson is moving to Washington D.C. to pursue her career in human rights and the environment. Charlotte was a valued member as well as a bright and smiling face at every board meeting and event. We'll miss Charlotte, but know that her considerable talents will be put to good use supporting the environment and advancing human rights.

We feel fortunate to have the talents and energy of Bill Johnson (see bio in About Us) joining the Board and taking up Charlotte's duties as Events Chair. Bill and his wife Mary Lou are very active in the community and will be a huge asset to Sarasota Bay Watch. Come to the wine tasting on April 2, 2009 at Harry's and meet the Board.

Monday March 2, 2009: Rusty Chinnis was presented a proclamation from the Town of Longboat Key encouraging the Governor, Manatee County and the Manatee County Legislative Delegation to work to protect Florida sea grasses. View the Proclamation.

Friday February 27, 2009: Tampa Bay Watch Executive Director Peter Clark hosted a gathering of local environmental groups (including Sarasota Bay Watch) and leaders to the Waves of Change Campaign at the organizations facilities on Cunningham Key. The 5 year Waves of Change campaign sponsored by the International Ocean Institute headquartered in Malta is developing a model program in the Tampa Bay area for communities across the nation and around the world. To learn about Waves of Change visit their web site at www.wavesofchanges.org

Thursday February 26, 2009: President Rusty Chinnis attended the Manatee Chapter of the CCA (Coastal Conservation Association) and addressed the crowd of over 180 anglers and conservationists. Rusty introduced Sarasota Bay Watch and acknowledged the work of the CCA. The CCA will be a valuable partner of SBW. Support the efforts of the CCA at www.ccaflorida.org

Tuesday February 24, 2009: Sarasota Bay Watch President Rusty Chinnis attended an event at the Florida Aquarium. At the gathering, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that March would be Sea Grass Awareness month in Florida. Rusty met the Governor personally, introduced SBW and handed him a Sarasota Bay Watch card.

Monday February 23, 2009: Sarasota Bay Watch Board Member Adam Fernandez announced that SBW would be offering a "Trash Can Slam" award to the angler bringing in the most trash at the upcoming Sarasota CCA All Release Tournament. In addition to receiving a Sarasota Bay Watch bag from www.poksak.com the winner will also receive a box of custom DOA lures. The Fly Division winner will receive a bag and a box of custom tied flies courtesy of Adam Fernandez.

Wednesday February 11, 2009: President Rusty Chinnis attended the Tampa Bay Watch Board luncheon to report on the progress of Sarasota Bay Watch. SBW owes a debt of gratitude to TBW for assistance in forming SBW.

Saturday February 7, 2009: Sarasota Bay Watch partnered with the Town of Longboat Key, the Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program Bay Buddies, Florida Audubon and the Parrot Heads to clean up of the Sister Keys. The event was a huge success with over 40 participants collecting in excess of 2,000 pounds of trash. Participants met afterwards at the Mar Vista Restaurant at 760 Broadway for a post event party sponsored by Ed Chiles and the Chiles Group.

December 2, 2008: Sarasota Bay Watch is proud to announce the receipt of a $20,000 grant from the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation for startup assistance. The Board is already putting the monies to use in creating this new web site, a membership database and many other enhancements.

Saturday August 23, 2008: Sarasota Bay Watch held its inaugural event, The Sarasota Bay Great Scallop Search, at Ken Thompson Park on City Island! The event was a resounding success with 31 boats and 62 searchers finding 947 scallops from Longboat Pass in Manatee County to Big Pass in Sarasota County. This is great news for the bay and the reason you should join us in our efforts to keep Sarasota Bay clean and healthy.

Acknowledgements:

Sarasota Bay Watch would like to acknowledge START (Solutions to Avoid Red Tide) for assistance in forming our 501 (c) 3 organization, and funding the start up of our organization.

Sarasota Bay Watch is grateful for the support and guidance of Tampa Bay Watch, it's staff and Executive Director Peter Clark. Tampa Bay Watch was the inspiration that led to the formation of our organization and provides ongoing support. www.tampabaywatch.org

Sarasota Bay Watch would like to acknowledge the Frank Duckwall Foundation for their generous support.

Sarasota Bay Watch would like to acknowledge the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation for it's generous $20,000.00 grant for the 0rganization's start-up activities.