Red tide blooms and other algae to be focus of the June 10 program of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA)

Larry Brand of University of Miami to discuss his research

Larry E. Brand. Image courtesy University of Miami

On June 10, the public is invited to join members of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) for a presentation by Larry Brand, who will discuss research he has been conducting for decades into Florida’s blue-green algae and red tide blooms, CONA has announced.

Brand, who is a professor in the Marine Biology and Ecology Department in the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, also will talk about his findings regarding the causes of the algae blooms and the events’ consequences for human health, a news release says.

His research recently has been featured in news articles and programs, as well as during a sold-out presentation hosted by the Suncoast Waterkeeper organization, the release notes.

Brand holds a doctorate from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the release adds.

“As we continue our focus on water issues, it is important to examine the fundamental causes exacerbating the blooms as well as what solutions exist as strategies are developed to reverse the effects,” the release says.

“Bring questions to submit for discussion,” the release adds.

Following a traditional half-hour networking opportunity beforehand, the CONA meeting will open with brief neighborhood updates as follows: Chris Bales on the Arbour Lake Reserve plans, Bob Bernstein on the Selby Gardens Master Plan, Ben Cannon on the proposal for the expansion of the Bath and Racquet Club in Sarasota, Sura Kochman on Benderson Development’s plans for Siesta Promenade and the associated litigation, and Tom Matrullo on county planning efforts involving the Celery Fields and the related advocacy of the community group Fresh Start.

The social period will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting to follow at 7 p.m., the release points out.

CONA holds its sessions at the Sarasota Garden Club, which is located at 1131 Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota. The building is at the intersection of Tamiami Trail, just south of the Municipal Auditorium. The parking area and the entrance are reached from Van Wezel Way.

See www.conasarasota.org/meetings.html for more information about CONA.