March 29, 2014 @ Shoreline Park South, Gulf Breeze (Across from the Recreation center on Shoreline Drive)
From: 10 am - 2 pm
By Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble
The importance of Seagrasses has been getting a lot of attention in the media lately. Come join us to learn more about seagrasses, marine creatures that live in seagrasses, and learn how to protect them at the 14th annual Seagrass Awareness Celebration!
Seagrass Awareness is an annual family event held at Shoreline Park South in Gulf Breeze, Florida. This year, activities will include live marine life in touch tanks, “eat a seagrass bed,” make a shark tooth necklace, seining, games, fishing, marine creatures, arts and crafts, food, displays, boating safety, fishing, kayaking and more!
In addition, the Gulf Breeze Rotary Club will sponsor their annual Gumbo Cook-off at Shoreline Park South. Nearly 20 teams will participate, stirring up some mouth watering gumbo for all to enjoy. Tickets at the gate for all the Gumbo you can eat are $12.00. Music, dancing and fun will be included at the cook-off.
Make plans now to attend this exciting day full of activities! Bring your family and friends, water, sunscreen, hat, water shoes, lawn chairs and join us for a fun filled day!
Do your part to protect seagrasses
While boating:
• If you run aground in a seagrass bed, turn off your engine, tilt up the engine and walk or pole your boat out of the shallow water.
• Be safe and know water depths and locations of seagrass beds by studying navigational charts.
• Seagrasses are usually found in shallow water and appear as dark spots on the water. Wear polarized sunglasses (to reduce glare) to help locate these areas.
• Always choose to use a pump-out station.
• Stay in marked channels.
At home:
• To reduce pollution from entering our waterways, keep a buffer of plants along your shoreline. This will also help to protect your property from erosion and slow flood waters during storm events.
• To save money, plant native plants that don’t require lots of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Avoid seagrass beds when planning for dredging activities or pier construction.
• Maintain septic tanks.
In your community:
• Families and children can get out and snorkel these areas! Many sites are easy to access from public parks.
• Get involved with local organizations that promote nature protection.
• Working together, we can tell other community members what we have learned about seagrasses at the seagrass awareness festival.
• Don’t litter!
Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.
For more information Contact: Chris Verlinde, 623-3868 chrismv@ufl.edu