Mote Marine Laboratory: World Environment Day in Sarasota County Goes Major-League

World Environment Day in Sarasota County Goes Major-League
Baltimore Orioles Celebrate • June 5 Community Forum is Full — See Details Below to Watch Online

A global environmental celebration — World Environment Day (WED) — will cap off its North American festivities on June 5 in Sarasota County, where excitement is building thanks to a new show of support from the Baltimore Orioles and a new chance to watch the WED Community Forum, which is booked to capacity, live online.  

Sarasota County was selected as the North American host for WED by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which leads this global celebration each year in six regions worldwide. The county received this honor thanks to the environmentally sound practices of local residents, government, organizations and businesses, and so far the local WED partners have celebrated with 60 events since Earth Day, April 22.

The festivities will culminate with the WED Community Forum from 10:30 a.m. – noon on June 5 at Mote Marine Laboratory, a local marine science institution known internationally for advancing research, education and conservation. In this forum, local and international experts focused on science and the environment, policy, sustainability, ecotourism and other key topics will share critical information on the opportunities and challenges facing Sarasota County and other coastal communities around the world, and attendees can ask questions during a facilitated discussion. Presenters hail from UNEP, Mote, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida and the U.S. Green Building Council. (Event details from Sarasota County)

• Registration for the WED Community Forum is full — now everyone can participate online via Google Hangout.
  • Those with Google accounts can watch the event live and type in questions for the speakers via Google Hangout: www.mote.org/wedforum
  • Those without Google accounts can watch the event on live TV via Access Sarasota — Comcast channel 19 and Verizon channel 32 — or streaming on the Sarasota County web site or on Youtube: www.mote.org/wedforumyoutube
    (These options do not include the question-and-answer opportunity.)

Boosting the excitement, the Baltimore Orioles have partnered with Sarasota County and UNEP to help promote WED. The Orioles pledge to continue their long-standing relationship with organizations promoting sustainability in Sarasota County, where the team operates year-round training and rehabilitation facilities, including Major League spring training.

Since May 23, popular pitcher Darren O’Day has been promoting Sarasota County’s social media campaign #AquaForEarth, which urges everyone to wear aqua on June 5 to show support for the environment and WED. Darren’s PSA has been airing on the Orioles Radio Network of 35 stations in six states.

The Oriole Bird is also helping out. This week he will accompany Baltimore Orioles Sarasota Vice-President David Rovine to various WED events in Sarasota County, such as an invitation-only reception on June 4 unveiling the North American exhibition and winners of the 23^rd annual International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment, sponsored by Bayer Corporation, at the Ringling College of Art and Design. Rovine and the Bird will also attend the June 5 community forum at Mote, alongside Mote experts and Mote Mascot Gilly the Shark, followed by a ground-breaking ceremony at Sarasota’s Celery Fields, site of Audubon’s future Visitor and Nature Center.

For more information on WED events in Sarasota County, go to: scgov.net/wed

Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. 
Mote is dedicated to today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org. 

Contact: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. (941) 388-4441 or [email protected].

Mote Marine Laboratory meets all requirements specified by the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act. A copy of the official registration #SC01050 and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.