Sarasota County reminds beachgoers to ‘Share the Shore’ with native wildlife
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| One of three door hangers designed by students at Sarasota Suncoast Academy. |
SARASOTA COUNTY – As summer approaches and trips to the beach become more frequent, Sarasota County is reminding all visitors and residents to “Share the Shore” with our native wildlife.
Beachgoers are asked to be mindful of sea turtle nests and the nests of shorebirds like the snowy plover, who use the open beach to lay their eggs. Dogs can easily damage sea turtle nests and disrupt shorebird nesting. Beach users are also reminded that dogs can enjoy the beach at Brohard Beach Paw Park in Venice.
“Whether leashed or unleashed, walking dogs on the beach can be one of the most disruptive influences on shorebird nesting,” according to Keri Ferenc Nelson, a wildlife specialist for the county. “When shorebirds are disturbed, they can flee and leave their eggs and chicks vulnerable to predators or extreme summer heat.”
In an effort to help educate visitors, first-grade students in Mrs. Wright’s class at Sarasota Suncoast Academy designed three door hangers to remind visitors about wildlife conservation.
The door hangers will be distributed to hotels on Siesta Key and Lido Beach, so whether you’re visiting Sarasota County for the first, or the 100th time, you’ll be reminded about the importance of protecting our native wildlife.
“This is a unique partnership among the county, the students and the merchants who support these efforts,” Nelson added. “It highlights how important our shores, and the wildlife who call those shores home, are to our community.”
For more information about Sarasota County’s dog friendly facilities, or to request door hangers, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net
