SARASOTA COUNTY – Come celebrate Arbor Day by learning all about our community’s coastal trees on Saturday, April 29, at Lemon Bay Park.
Join Sarasota County from 1-5 p.m. to talk trees with local and international experts. There will be an optional kayak tour (bring your own boat), hikes, a panel discussion and educational talks. Dr. Ilka Feller, a senior scientist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, will give a special presentation. Dr. Feller is a worldwide expert on mangrove ecosystems.
Many people don’t know that mangroves are actually trees, said Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Alyssa Vinson, a fact that will be highlighted at the event along with the many other benefits trees provide.
“They allow us to have the oxygen we need to breathe. They also reduce stress levels, provide erosion control and stormwater management. They lower heating and cooling costs because they moderate temperature, and they’ve also been proven to deter crime and improve property values,” Vinson said.
The event is free, but registration is required online via Eventbrite (visit Eventbrite.com and search “Arbor Day – Celebrate the Coast”).
Lemon Bay Park is located at 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood.
For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, visit www.scgov.net/trees or email sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu.