Clues available at county libraries or on county website; prizes to be awarded
In celebration of Florida Arbor Day, Sarasota County staff once again is inviting the public to journey on a “Tree Quest,” the county has announced.
Starting on Jan. 17, a two-week scavenger hunt has been planned to highlight “the importance of trees and their many benefits,” a news release explains. Members of the public are encouraged to search for five types of trees, using clues at North Lido Beach, located at 50 Benjamin Franklin Drive in Sarasota; Culverhouse Nature Park, located at 7301 McIntosh Road in Sarasota; or at the Manasota Scrub Preserve, located at 2695 Bridge St. in Englewood, the release points out.
Cards that list the clues are available at county libraries or may be downloaded from the county website, the release adds. “Trees will be tagged with a fact sheet to not only let you know you’ve found the right one, but to also help you learn more about the benefits that trees provide,” the release says. “After you’ve found all the trees, submit the answers for the chance to win prizes.”
“Florida is the first state to celebrate Arbor Day each year,” said UF/IFAS (University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences) Extension Horticulture Agent Marguerite Beckford in the release. “So, it was important for Sarasota County to highlight the natural beauty that surrounds us, while creating a fun, educational challenge.”
For more information, call the county Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit scgov.net (keywords Tree Quest).