Travel & Outdoors

Environment

Jupiter Company Completes Longboat Key Sand Deliveries

Stewart Materials has successfully supplied 307,000 tons of custom beach sand to Longboat Key as part of the town's beach renourishment project, completing its work two months ahead of schedule.

07/22/2016 Research by staff

Environment

State Offers Loans to Businesses Affected By Algal Blooms

Gov. Rick Scott last week activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for businesses affected by the presence of algal blooms in nearby waterways.

07/19/2016 Research by staff

Stink Bomb

Selby Gardens Prepares to Make a Big Stink

The corpse flower, known for its putrid scent, is set to produce two blooms at Selby Gardens from late July through early August.

07/15/2016 By Margo Rometo

Environment

Sustainability Discussion Comes to Fogartyville Tuesday

Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence will launch the first leg of its 2016 Sustainability Road Show at the Fogartyville Media and Arts Center on Tuesday, July 12.

07/11/2016 Research by staff

Giving

This Week's Good Deeds

Middle school literacy volunteers, grants for parenting education and conservation, and other examples of locals giving back.

07/07/2016 Research by staff

Turtle Power

Local Sea Turtle Nests are Breaking Records

Just two months into nesting season, local nests have surpassed last year's total.

07/07/2016 By Hannah Wallace

Honors

Landscaping Employees Earn Certifications

ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design's Amy Crutcher and Patrick Riordan have each earned certification from the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

07/06/2016 Research by staff

Park It

July is National Park and Recreation Month

Celebrate with fun upcoming events at Sarasota County parks.

07/05/2016 By Megan McDonald

Authentic Florida

10 Awesome Things to Do in Sarasota This Summer

Sarasota offers plenty of outdoor family fun.

06/24/2016 By Robin Draper

Stoned

Susan Moen Opens The Crystal Cave in Historic Downtown Village

The Crystal Cave is filled with five rooms of stones; it also hosts classes and special workshops.

06/22/2016 By Megan McDonald

The Sound and the Fury

Sand Storm

Should the Army Corps take sand from Big Pass to replenish shrinking Lido Key? Environmental reporter Tom Bayles wades into the sound and fury.

06/22/2016 By Tom Bayles

Only in Sarasota

Only in Sarasota: Bird Key Park

John Pirman illustrates Bird Key Park.

06/22/2016 Illustrations by John Pirman

Mr. Chatterbox

Finding the Fountain of Youth at Warm Mineral Springs

Legend says North Port's Warm Mineral Springs was the Fountain of Youth that Ponce de Leon was searching for.

06/22/2016 By Bob Plunket

Heat Index

Yes, Those Longboat Key Peacocks are Beautiful—Until You Have to Live With Them

Locals see peacocks as more pest than petting zoo.

06/22/2016 By Tony D’Souza

From the Editor

Talking to Dr. Beach

Siesta Beach tops the annual list of the nation’s top 10 beaches.

06/22/2016 By Pam Daniel

Environment

Conservation Foundation Wins Healthy Watersheds Grant

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was recently awarded a three-year grant of $156,000 for its Myakka Island Conservation Corridor project.

06/15/2016 Research by staff