Some of the volunteers holding the award: Jim Wendell, John Metzger, David Evans, Steven Bell, and Jim Dobson.
The Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) honored Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) with the 2025 Voluntary Service Group Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer contributions.
The award was presented to PRNR’s Friends of Lemon Bay Park volunteer group on August 27 during the FRPA annual conference in Orlando and marks the sixth time in seven years that Sarasota County volunteer groups have earned the award.
Since 2011, the Friends of Lemon Bay Park have supported PRNR through habitat restoration, public outreach and community involvement. Made up of 27 active members, most of them retired professionals, the volunteer group has contributed more than 4,600 hours since 2022 to trail maintenance, invasive species removal, habitat restoration and hurricane recovery.
Their work following five major storms, including removing more than 50,000 pounds of debris, helped protect sensitive habitats and preserve one of the county’s longest stretches of mangrove shoreline. These efforts restored public access and allowed school groups and environmental programs to return.
In addition to restoration work, the group leads educational programs such as guided nature walks and cultural workshops and partners with UF/IFAS Extension, Big Waters Land Trust and Florida Sea Grant to strengthen regional conservation efforts. Their efforts extend PRNR staff capacity and ensure Lemon Bay Park remains a community asset.
“This award recognizes the Friends of Lemon Bay Park volunteers as a vital part of our parks system and our community through their commitment to environmental stewardship and civic engagement,” said Nicole Rissler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. “We are truly grateful for their legacy of service and continued dedication.”
The FRPA annually honors park and recreation agencies, employees, volunteers and partners who make an impact in their communities. More information is available at frpa.org. For more information or to register as a PRNR volunteer, contact Brenda Canales, volunteer coordinator, at 941-861-5868 or visit bit.ly/parksvolunteersrq.
