The first anniversary of the the Sarasota Urban ReForestation (SURF) microforest at the Celery Field’s will be celebrated on Saturday, October 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The microforest is located west of the Celery Fields hill.
The celebration starts with brief presentations on the covered veranda at the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center at 6893 Palmer Blvd., followed by walking tours of the microforest.
During the tours, visitors can learn the names of the many species of trees growing in the microforest, its many benefits for soil and water, and how much carbon it is sequestering, which is being tracked based on the age and size of each tree in the microforest.
Sponsoring organizations featured at this free community event include SURF microforest partners: Florida Veterans for Common Sense Fund, Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START), and Sarasota County’s Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST).
Native plant selections were guided by Sarasota Audubon Society and the Serenoa Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Volunteers planted the microforest and maintain it as it goes through its early growth stages. Other contributors include Michael Saunders Foundation, McKeithen Growers, and many private individuals.
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The 2021 Manatee County Stand Down is on Saturday, November 6th, at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.
This event focuses on helping homeless and potentially homeless veterans and their families, but also helps non-veterans and their families receive critical needs services. These services include: hot lunch, showers, distribution of hygiene products, clothing distribution, haircuts, general and mental health screenings (including flu & COVID-19 vaccinations), dental and vision services, veteran services, bus ticket raffles, employment services, and Amnesty Court.
For more information contact:
Turning Points
Phone: 941-747-1509
Email: info@tpmanatee.org
Website: https://tpmanatee.org
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The next SURF Tree Planting Day is fast approaching. Our new site at Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club is prepped and ready to go. Now, it’s time to plant! Help us bring the microforest to life by assisting with inserting 1,100 plants into pre-dug holes.
NO experience required, training provided day of planting. Please bring your gardening gloves and trowels/shovels if possible!
There are two shifts available from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Pre-registration is required. Sign up now at bit.ly/surfplanting
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The next SURF microforest tree planting event will be Saturday, January 15, 2022. Anyone that wants to come join the fun in planting small trees at the new location along Glen Meadow is more than welcome. We are looking for as many volunteers as possible. If you have friends or family of any age that would like to join in, they are more than welcome also.
Registration Required: We ask that all volunteers register for the SURF tree planting event before attending.
Date: January 15, 2022
Times: 9:00AM-12:00PM and 10:00AM-1:00PM
Location: The corner of Glen Meadow Avenue and Veranda Way, Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club.
What To Bring: Small garden tools like rakes & planting trowels, small shovels, and gloves. Bringing something to drink and sunblock is advised.
What To Expect: The trees will be mostly small starter trees in one and three gallon size nursery pots. The holes will be pre-dug for you, but you will still be working with the soil as you put the trees in the ground.
No prior gardening experience needed, we are there to help.
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Get directions to the microforest planting day at Heritage Harbour Baseball Fields
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Join us for the Heritage Harbour Microforest Celebration!

Remember Microforest Planting Day

Come join the fun! Be a part of The Mangrove School of Sarasota Planting Day on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Help install a microforest at the school’s future site. Be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen. Gloves and hand garden tools are recommended. Refreshments will be provided.
Be an Early Bird and beat the heat. Volunteers are welcome as early as 7:30 A.M. before the official start.
Where: 7015 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240 (follow the signs at the site)
Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Time: 9:00 A.M. EDT
Locations of the SURF microforests.
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Please join the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, Community Development District One (CDD1) and our allies for the planting of a high-performance microforest. Our microforest will include 50 or more native species of trees, shrubs, and ground covers planted in a way that encourages their fastest possible growth and greatest benefit to the ecological health of our park. The planting bed will be fully prepared – even with the holes dug – so all the volunteers need to do is properly install the plants.

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Don’t miss out on the fun. Bring your friends and family to the Jacaranda EcoPARK volunteer session. No experience necessary.

Watch the Phase 1 Jacaranda EcoPARK planting day video.
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