A breath of fresh air

Nonprofit Project Breaks Down Barriers Between Kids and the Natural World

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation is helping turn nature into an outdoor classroom.

06/02/2021 By Emma Lichtenstein

Do-Over

The Florida State Parks Foundation Wants to Plant Another 100,000 New Pine Trees

It worked last year. Why not do it again?

04/29/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

From Trash to Treasure

Turn Garbage Into Black Gold by Composting

Thanks to Sunshine Community Compost, since 2017, 50,000 pounds of food scraps have been diverted from local landfills and more than 2,500 people have learned about composting through its educational programs.

04/22/2021 By Kim Doleatto

So close!

State Parks Foundation Nears Goal of Raising $100,000 to Plant 100,000 Pine Trees

Through its Plant a Pine program, the foundation has already put new longleaf pines in the ground in a dozen state parks, including Osprey's Oscar Scherer State Park.

04/21/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Q&A

A New Book From a Sarasota Native Tells the Story of the Fight to Save the Everglades

Amy Green's Moving Water: The Everglades and Big Sugar was recently published by Johns Hopkins University Press.

04/19/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Piney Point

Environmentalists Warn That Piney Point Pollution Could Affect Sarasota Bay

More than 200 million gallons of wastewater have been discharged into Tampa Bay. That could have major effects on the health of Sarasota Bay.

04/09/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Q&A

How Dangerous Is the Water Leaking From Piney Point?

ManaSota-88’s Glenn Compton describes phosphate wastewater’s risk to human health and the environment.

04/05/2021 By Susan Burns

Shine On

Solar Co-Op Launches in Sarasota-Manatee

Co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual top-quality solar systems at a competitive price.

03/11/2021 By Staff

Moving day

An Almost-100-Year-Old Oak Tree Gets Relocated to Downtown Wellen Park

It’s the first of 26 mature trees that are being relocated through a program funded by Wellen Park developers.

03/10/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Going Solar

Solar Prices Are Dropping and Technology Has Improved

Prices for solar systems have dropped 45 percent in the last five years.

03/01/2021 By Susan Burns

Environment

State Awards $55,000 Grant to Sarasota for Tree Management

The grant will allow the city to create an inventory of trees, identify diseased and dangerous trees, and plant new trees in low-income areas.

11/23/2020 By Staff

Environment

Sarasota County Acquires 100 Acres for Conservation

The county recently acquired 20 acres along the Myakka River and 80 acres in the Old Miakka area.

11/20/2020 By Staff

Solar Power

Sarasota Solar Co-op Deadline Approaches

Solar United Neighbors will host a free virtual information session tonight at 6 p.m.

11/18/2020 By Staff

Solar Energy

Nonprofit Solar Co-Op Launches in Sarasota County

The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Sarasota County.

09/14/2020 By Staff

Open up

Manatee County Has the Chance to Create a New Land Conservation Program

If voters approve a new measure this fall, the county could acquire land to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, preserve environmentally sensitive land and create public parks.

08/14/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Climate Change

State Grant Will Help Sarasota County Plan for Sea Level Rise

Florida says sea level around the state could rise by as much as 3 feet by 2060, and wants to help Sarasota get ready.

08/13/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Nature

Sarasota County Buys 40 Acres for Environmental Conservation

The property links the existing Old Miakka Preserve to 120,000 acres of conserved land near the Myakka River and Tatum Sawgrass Marsh.

08/06/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sustainability

Sarasota County Wins National Award for Solar Energy Efforts

Sarasota County scored high marks for permitting, planning, zoning and community education processes related to solar energy adoption.

07/28/2020 Photography by Staff

Grants

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Grants $30,000 to Two New Solar Co-Ops

Solar United Neighbors will use the $30,000 grant to launch two new residential solar co-ops

06/23/2020 By Staff

Weather

Damage From Tropical Storm Shuts Down Casey Key Road

Heavy rain, high winds and tall waves cracked a portion of Casey Key roadway that runs along the Gulf of Mexico.

06/08/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker