LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY’S SYMPOSIUM ON COASTAL WATER QUALITY
“OUR WATER: OUR FUTURE”
On Saturday, April 6th, 2019 over 70 gathered at Manasota Beach Club for a day of special speakers, workshops, field trips and a beautiful buffet lunch. The event, sponsored by Manasota Beach Club and Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, included a broad spectrum of educated presenters from adult veterans to energized science students.
Guest speakers for the morning were John Ryan, Environmental Manager for Sarasota County, and Stephen Suau, Chairman of Sarasota City Stormwater Environmental Utility Advisory Committee.
Susan Chabot, Lemon Bay High School Science teacher/Department Chair spoke along with Kara Handwork and Laura Keller, S.T.E.M. Environmental science project students.
Mollie Holland of N.E.S.T. Spoke about practical solutions for improving water quality. Janelle Johnson represented Florida Fish and Wildlife Research.
During lunch, guests were treated to “open mic” and some shared information and advice concerning their vision and experience. Percy Angelo,on behalf of LBC,advocated for a better EPA definition of waters of the US to include all wetlands.
After lunch, guests chose workshops and field trips. Nicole Ladevaia’s power point explained CHNEP’s ‘Water Atlas’. Bob Cooper’s nature walk around MBC grounds took guests from coast to bay.
There were also tours at Cedar Point Environmental Center conducted by Al Squires, Native Plant Society President. Guests were welcomed by students to the amazing science classrooms at Lemon Bay High School. These included the fantastic LBHS Aqualab, where students research coastal species and water quality. There were presentations of winning Science Fair projects and introductions by Susan Chabot.
The Symposium was a dynamic and educational experience and emphasized what people can do to improve and sustain our coastal water quality.
Lemon Bay Conservancy plans to present another “OUR WATER: OUR FUTURE”
within the next year.
