Volunteers Needed for 5th Annual “Eyes on Seagrass” Citizen Science Monitoring Program

UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant Charlotte County and the Lemon Bay Conservancy are calling on nature enthusiasts, paddlers, and environmentally-minded residents to join the 5th Annual Eyes on Seagrass Citizen Science Monitoring Program, taking place this spring. This important initiative invites volunteers to help monitor and document the health of seagrass beds in upper Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay, contributing valuable data to support local environmental assessments.

The information gathered through this program assists natural resource managers in understanding the ecological condition of regional seagrass habitats—vital ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and oxygen for a wide range of marine life.

Participation Details:

• Free to join: All volunteers receive training and are provided with the necessary monitoring equipment.

• Team-based: Volunteers are asked to form teams of at least three people and must arrange their own transportation to monitoring sites via boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or wading.

• Survey window: Participating teams are asked to conduct at least one site visit between April 14 and April 30.

• Training requirements:

  • New volunteers must attend in-person training before their first sampling session.

  • Returning volunteers or those unable to attend in-person training will have access to online instructional videos.

• Note: While individuals are welcome to attend training, team placement for solo volunteers is not guaranteed.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support coastal conservation, gain hands-on experience in fieldwork, and enjoy time on the water while making a meaningful impact.

For more information or to sign up, contact Kate Rose at Kate.Rose0210@ufl.edu or 941•764•4346.