Volunteers sought for National Public Lands Day event hosted by Sarasota County

Shamrock Park in Venice to be the site of county celebration

Image courtesy Sarasota County

Sarasota County staff will host a volunteer event at Shamrock Park in Venice from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, in honor of National Public Lands Day, the county has announced.

Shamrock Park is located at 3900 Shamrock Drive in Venice.

“During the event, county staff will work with volunteers to improve the park by weeding, pruning and removing nuisance plants,” a news release says.

“Volunteers are encouraged to bring hand pruners, work gloves, hats, sunglasses, water, bug spray and sunscreen,” the release continues. Volunteers also should wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes, such as hiking boots or sneakers, the release adds.

“Coordinated each year by the National Environmental Education Foundation, National Public Lands Day brings together volunteers from coast to coast to improve and restore the lands and facilities that people across America use and enjoy every day,” the release points out. Last year, more than 200,000 people participated in such events at more than 2,500 sites across the country, the release adds.

“Each year, National Public Lands Day volunteers provide tens of millions of dollars’ worth of services in one day,” the release notes. Because of their limited numbers, staff members would need months to accomplish the same level of work, the release says.

“Sarasota County has thousands of acres of land available to the public for hiking, exploration, passive recreation and other activities,” the release points out. These lands are home to hundreds of protected and endangered species of animals and plants, the release notes.

For more information, call the county Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.