Community Science

Sea Grant provides trainings and opportunities for residents to monitor the health of our bay.  These programs include:

Diamondback Terrapins

Surveying selected salt marsh beaches to monitor terrapin nesting and estimate relative abundance.  May require paddle craft: spring, summer.

Eyes on Seagrass

Monitoring seagrass growth, dispersal, and marine life at four selected stations within a selected seagrass meadow.  Will require snorkeling and the collection of water samples to be analyzed by UWF: spring, summer, fall.

LakeWatch

Monitoring nutrients at three selected stations within a body of water.  Samples are collected and iced for analysis at the University of Florida.  Requires a boat: year round.

Great Scallop Search

Surveying for the presence of bay scallops in Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound. Requires snorkel gear and a team of at least three. Some locations require a boat to access. July.

Horseshoe Crab Watch

Surveying for horseshoe crab nesting activity. Requires beach walking (about a mile). Some locations may require a paddle craft to access. Spring, fall.