Manatee County Explore and Play

Congratulations to the Natural Resources Department seagrass monitoring team for receiving an A- on their Seagrass Training Report Card!

On behalf of Manatee County, we thank them for their continued participation in the Tampa Bay seagrass monitoring program. Their efforts help to inform management decisions related to endangered species, fisheries, habitat restoration, and of course, baywide water-quality objectives.

Team members: Kerry Harkinson, Lauren Mulligan and Kristina Novak.

Our volunteers took to Holmes Beach this past week to make a positive impact on our local environment by collecting several bags of trash.

It’s a great reminder that every little action makes a difference. If you’re visiting the beach and see trash, pick it up! And always remember to take everything you brought with you when you leave. 🌱

Want to get involved and help make a difference? Find upcoming volunteer opportunities at MyManatee.org/EcoEvents.

Crafty Critters at Mixon Farms!

We had a wild time getting creative at Crafty Critters! From fun crafts to critter-inspired activities, it was a great way for our little explorers to learn, create, and connect with nature.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! Stay tuned for more fun programs and activities happening at Mixon Farms.

🏅 Come run with us at Rye Preserve!

Register for the next Run Manatee 5K Series race, sponsored by RWP Runs, taking place Saturday, November 21!

Lace up, hit the trails and help us finish the interlocking medal series! Whether you're running the race or just coming out to enjoy the other activities, there’s something for everyone.

What Our Runners Loved This Year:
🗨️ "Great atmosphere! High energy! Perfect weather!"
🗨️ "The course was nice and well-organized overall."
🗨️ "Passionate volunteers and fun course layout"
🗨️ "I always enjoy going around after the event for the vendors and the free swag."
🗨️ "I enjoyed the variety of terrain we ran on as well as the vendors. I had my family in town, and they loved the vendors and park activity for the kids."

Sign up here: mymanatee.org/runmanatee

🌿 Go native! 🌿

Join us at Mixon Farms for Native Florida Plants 101 on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Learn about the beauty and benefits of Florida’s native plants with Susan J. Griffith, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Coordinator at UF/IFAS.

This FREE program is a great opportunity to learn how native plants can benefit your yard, local wildlife and Florida’s unique ecosystems.

📅 Saturday, November 14
⏰ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
📍 Mixon Farms, 2525 27th Street East (Bradenton)
🎟️ FREE!

Register at https://events.humanitix.com/native-plant-talk.

A little bit of magic, a whole lot of love.

Tucked beneath towering oaks and surrounded by the natural beauty of Mixon Farms, your wedding day can feel like something out of a storybook. Say “I do” beneath the trees, celebrate under the stars and make memories surrounded by the people you love most.

From charming indoor and outdoor spaces to dedicated bridal and groom suites and a full-service bar, every detail is designed to make your day feel effortless and unforgettable.

Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Mixon Farms is where beautiful beginnings happen.

📌 2525 27th Street East, Bradenton

Photos by Ying Multimedia

Start planning your dream wedding today, and learn more about venue rentals: https://www.mymanatee.org/mixon-farms

Summer Stargazing in Manatee County!

Summer nights in Florida are the perfect time to slow down, get outside and look up at the stars. And if you want to escape the city lights, Duette Preserve is one of the best places in Manatee County to experience the night sky, with very little natural light pollution and the chance to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way on a clear dark night.

Currently, camping at Duette Preserve is available Friday and Saturday nights only on non-hunt weekends, giving you the perfect opportunity to spend the night under the stars.

Camping at Rye Preserve will return in the fall, bringing more opportunities to enjoy the night sky and experience our preserves after dark.

Photo credit: Stuart Shinn

That’s a wrap on another successful shorebird nesting season on Anna Maria Island! Despite challenges from predators, 11 Least Tern chicks survived to become flight-capable, giving the colony a 65% fledging rate, the HIGHEST success rate recorded on Bradenton Beach since Least Terns began nesting there in 2021.

These threatened birds have now joined migrating flocks on their journey toward the Caribbean. Six chicks also were fitted with colorful identification bands to help researchers track their movements and survival. A huge thank you to everyone who respected the nesting area and gave these birds the space they needed. Special thanks to all of the local partners who helped protect the colony and to Shorebird Monitor Kathy Doddridge, who spent 87 mornings monitoring the nest site.

Until next season!