CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (June 22, 2022) –The Charlotte County UF/IFAS Extension Service and Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership are seeking volunteers to participate in the Eyes on Seagrass monitoring program to document the health and status of seagrass in upper Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay. The Summer 2022 survey will take place July 11-25.

Participants must form teams of at least three and receive training ahead of their first-time sampling. Sea Grant will provide monitoring equipment, a dive flag, and a cooler for samples. Teams will be responsible for transportation to their assigned sites (via boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard) as well as their own water shoes, mask, snorkel, fins and floatation device if preferred.

Summer Training sessions 

Mid-County Library

2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33952

July 7, 2022, 46 p.m.  Registration: https://eos.eventbrite.com

Laishley Marina/Pavilion

120 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 July 23, 2022, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Registration: https://eosvs.eventbrite.com

The all-day event at Laishley Marina will provide an opportunity for volunteers to receive training, connect with other volunteer team members and launch for sampling. Snacks will be provided.

? For information, contact Kate Rose at [email protected] or 941-764-4346; or Jessica Scott-Dunda at JScott-Dunda@chnep.org or 941-575-3374.