Variety of educational and fun activities to be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
South Gate residents and Phillippi Creek neighbors interested in water quality will gather Saturday, Nov. 14, for the inaugural Phillippi Creek Fest at the South Gate Community Center, organizers of the event have announced.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a news release says.
The Sarasota County Stormwater Department, the Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida, and the South Gate Community Association will co-host the event, which will be “focused on Phillippi Creek to highlight the importance of this waterway for fish, wildlife, plants, and water quality,” the release points out.
“In addition to enjoying free food, music, and a raffle,” the release continues, participants will have the opportunity “to explore interactive exhibits and demonstrations on creek-friendly practices in and around the home, native plants, composting, healthy ponds, bay habitats, microforests, and more.”
Further, the release notes, they can “head out on the water for a free guided kayak tour led by Sarasota County Stormwater staff,” who will share information about the Phillippi Creek Dredge Project and ongoing efforts to improve the creek.
“We all love Florida coastal living and want to be good neighbors to our natural creeks and bays,” said Jennifer Shafer, co-executive director of the Science and Environment Council, in the release. “This will be a really fun event for neighbors to get together and learn how to connect with the beauty and adventure in their own backyard and how to protect it,” Shafer added in the release.
“The 7.2-mile Phillippi Creek runs through the heart of Sarasota and includes a watershed, or drainage area,” with more than 100 miles of canals stretching from University Parkway in the north to east of Interstate 75, the release points out. “The waterscape changes from fresh to salty as it flows toward Roberts Bay, offering a network of habitats important for juvenile fish, birds, and wildlife. Phillippi Creek Fest aims to help neighbors “meet their creek” and get a taste of the natural and recreational resources it offers and what they can do to help keep the creek healthy,” the release explains.
“This event builds upon almost a decade of outreach around connecting residents to the creek and empowering stewardship practices through cleanups,” online resources such as phillippi creek.org, and partnerships with local businesses, the release notes.
Sarasota County Stormwater staff also will be on-hand to talk with neighbors “about local flooding initiatives and RainCheck, a stormwater incentive rebate program, which encourages residents to incorporate stormwater-friendly practices around their homes,” the release adds.
The Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida (SEC) is a consortium of 44 science-based environmental organizations and government agencies in Sarasota and Manatee counties, the release explains. “The SEC’s mission is to enhance science-based education, conservation, and restoration in Southwest Florida.”
The event URL is Phillippicreekfest.eventbrite.com