Community Science
Sea Grant offers training and opportunities for residents to help check the health of our bay. These programs include:
Diamondback Terrapins
Surveying Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound to look for bay scallops. This activity requires snorkel gear and a team of at least three people. Some spots can only be reached by boat. Work is done in July.
Eyes on Seagrass
Monitoring seagrass growth, how it spreads, and the marine animals that live in it at four stations in a chosen seagrass meadow. This work requires snorkeling and collecting water samples, which are later tested by UWF. These activities take place in spring, summer, and fall.
LakeWatch
Monitoring nutrients at three selected spots in a body of water. Samples are collected, kept on ice, and sent to the University of Florida for testing. A boat is required. This activity takes place year‑round.
Great Scallop Search
Surveying Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound to look for bay scallops. This work requires snorkel gear and a team of at least three people. Some areas can only be reached by boat. This activity takes place in July.
Horseshoe Crab Watch
You will help look for places where horseshoe crabs lay their eggs. This job includes walking about one mile on the beach. Some spots may only be reachable by canoe or kayak. This work usually happens in the spring and fall.
CONTACT
Rick O'Connor Sea Grant/Marine Science (850) 475-5230 roc1@ufl.edu
Physical & Mailing Address 3740 Stefani Road Cantonment, FL 32533
Carrie Stevenson, Extension Agent III
Energy/Sustainability/Wind Storm
csteven@ufl.edu
Resources
TRAINING VIDEOS
- Sea Grass Monitoring Training
- Diamondback Terrapin Survey Training 1
- Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Training
Marine Education
- Florida Master Naturalist
- Snakes
- Youth Marine Science Lessons
- Florida Friendly Landscaping
- Clean Marina
- Clean Boater
- EDDMapS
- Turtle Friendly Beaches