The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) will host a Bay Guardian volunteer event aimed at removing the invasive air potato at North Water Tower Park on Saturday, Feb. 7, starting at 9 a.m.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sara Kane, public outreach manager
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
941-955-8085 / [email protected]
www.sarasotabay.org

SARASOTA COUNTY – The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) will host a Bay Guardian volunteer event aimed at removing the invasive air potato at North Water Tower Park on Saturday, Feb. 7, starting at 9 a.m.
The air potato is a vine that covers and shades beneficial native plants. It grows a large, inedible tuber that looks like a hanging potato. There will be a contest with prizes for the smallest, biggest, weirdest-looking, and most air potatoes collected.

The volunteer event will also be the kickoff of a three-year restoration, stormwater improvement and environmental education project at North Water Tower Park, 4700 Rilma Ave., Sarasota.

The project was made possible from two grants. Funding was awarded to SBEP from the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program for community engagement and education, exotic species removal and beautification elements. Sarasota County was awarded a grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for design and construction of the stormwater improvements. SBEP, Sarasota County, and the City of Sarasota are the managing partners of the project.

Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long-sleeved shirts and pants are recommended. The event is suitable for all ages. Online registration is required at www.SarasotaBay.org.

Contact Sara Kane at [email protected] to learn more about the project or to get involved as a Bay Guardian volunteer.