08/28/2026
August 28, 2026
Welcome to Fresh Tracks!
Discover your next outdoor adventure with our monthly newsletter! Get the latest on guided hikes, nature programs, and special events happening throughout Sarasota County's natural areas—all designed to help you explore and enjoy the great outdoors right in your own backyard.
UPCOMING EVENTS
September/October 2026
Plant and Animal Identification Walk
Red Bug Slough Preserve
Explore a variety of natural habitats with Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Liz Gandy who will identify both native and non-native plants and resident wildlife inhabiting our preserves. No matter the season, there is always something beautiful in bloom or the potential to see interesting wildlife. We will explore using apps to identify and document species.
September 4 (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.)
Meet at the information kiosk
Registration is Required.
Red Bug Slough Preserve
5200 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota
RSVP Here
Bug-Off: BioBlitz
Woodmere Park
Join us for an exciting, Animal Crossing-inspired "Bug-Off" bioblitz at Woodmere Park! Whether you're an avid fan of the game or just love nature, this event is perfect for all bug enthusiasts.
Just like in Animal Crossing, participants will explore the park to discover and document as many different species as possible within a set time frame. Armed with nets, hand lenses, and field guides, you'll work individually or in teams to catch, identify, and record a variety of bugs through the iNaturalist app. This event is catch and release only.
September 12 (10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)
Meet at the main pavilion
Registration is required.
Woodmere Park
3951 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice
RSVP Here
EcoWalk: Meditation in the Parks
Urfer Family Park
Join us for a contemplative walk where we will practice mindfulness, breathwork, and using all our senses to connect with nature. Marvel at one of Sarasota County’s spectacular natural areas during a mostly silent, meditative walk. In studies conducted around the world, researchers have found an association between spending time in nature and positive benefits to mental and physical health. Join a UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County educator or volunteer for an exploration of finding peace within nature and get healthier along the way!
September 17 (9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)
Registration is required.
Urfer Family Park
4012 Honore Ave, Sarasota
RSVP Here
Photo courtesy of the Venice Museum and Archives
From Early Inhabitants to Pollyanna: The History of Pocono Trail Preserve
Pocono Trail Preserve
Join a Sarasota County Environmental Specialist for a 1-hour walk in the preserve. Discover the interesting history of the preserve and the surrounding towns of Venice and Nokomis. Learn about people of the Manasota Culture, the interesting stories of local pioneers, including Dr. Fred Albee, and the luxury hotel known as the Pollyanna Inn that once stood on this site. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful live oak and cabbage palm hammocks and occasional glimpses of Shakett Creek as you learn about the history of this interesting area.
October 7 (9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Registration is Required.
Pocono Trail Preserve
189 Pocono Trail E, Nokomis
Registration Coming Soon!
Paddle to Pocono Preserve
Loreto Court Bay Access
Take a short paddle trip into Dona Bay and along the mangrove and coastal hammock communities of Pocono Trail Preserve. Along this paddle you will learn about the estuary system and the importance of coastal creeks in Sarasota County. Attendees must bring their own kayak and required safety equipment (PFD, whistle) as well as drinking water.
October 14 (9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Meet at Loreto Park boat ramp
Registration is Required.
Loreto Court Bay Access
800 Loreto Court, Nokomis
Registration Coming Soon!
Restoration of Native Coastal Ecosystems
Curry Creek Preserve (East Entrance)
Join a Sarasota County Environmental Specialist on a hike along the trails of Curry Creek Preserve to learn about habitat restoration including invasive plant management in natural area parks of Sarasota County. A portion of this walk may go off trails through areas of the preserve along Curry Creek with a focus on the floodplain marsh communities. Participants should bring drinking water, closed toe shoes and be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces.
October 21 (9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Registration is Required.
Curry Creek Preserve (East Entrance)
1500 Pinebrook Road, Venice
Registration Coming Soon!
Reoccurring Events and Activities
History in the Park
Take a self-guided tour through the historic Dr. C.B. Wilson House to learn about the house, the Wilson family and other historical aspects of Sarasota County. Volunteer docents are onsite to guide you through the house and to answer your questions.
Every Saturday
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Urfer Family Park
4012 Honore Ave, Sarasota
Shamrock Park Demonstration Garden Tour
Discover fresh inspiration in the demonstration gardens with a guided tour led by Master Gardener Volunteers. Explore seasonal blooms, learn practical gardening tips, and ask your questions during this monthly tour.
First Friday of Each Month
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Shamrock Park
3900 Shamrock Dr, Venice
Cultural Crafts and Quilting
Love quilting and its cultural heritage? Fabric arts and stitching date back thousands of years. Join fellow quilters of various backgrounds and skill levels to sew, share and learn new techniques. This program takes place indoors.
First and Third Thursday of Each Month
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lemon Bay Park
570 Bay Park Blvd, Englewood
Shamrock Park Nature Center
Drop into the Shamrock Park Nature Center any Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Explore fossil, shell, animal, and artifact displays, discover hands-on activities in the kids' corner, and enjoy the touch table. Fun for all ages!
Every Saturday
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Shamrock Park
3900 Shamrock Dr, Venice
Florida Cracker Cattle
Step back in time and meet the heritage “cracker” cattle of Urfer Family Park during a special interpretive walk. Learn how the ancestors of these hardy Florida cattle arrived with early Spanish explorers in the 1500s and adapted to Florida’s wild landscapes over centuries.
Meet at the C.B. WIlson House
Third Saturday of Each Month
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Urfer Family Park
4012 Honore Ave, Sarasota
Osprey Junction Trailhead Demonstration Garden Tour
Join Master Gardener volunteers for a tour of the demonstration gardens. The garden integrates beautifully into the natural environment, using Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ techniques that you can adopt for your home or business landscape.
October - May
Fourth Wednesday of Each Month
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Osprey Junction Trailhead
939 E Bay St, Osprey
Turn Screen Time into Green Time with
Agents of Discovery!
Turn your next park visit into a mission with Agents of Discovery, an award-winning educational mobile game that turns the great outdoors into an interactive learning experience. Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources—together with Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability—introduces exciting new Agents of Discovery missions at select county parks!
Learn More and Download the App!
Camping at Carlton Reserve
Camping is available at T. Mabry Jr. Carlton Reserve with three different experiences to choose from. The Cabbage Palm Loop has 4 tent sites in a shady cabbage palm and oak hammock near the main parking lot. The Homestead Site is a remote backcountry site with an approximate 4 mile hike out nestled near the Myakka River. The more adventurous may enjoy the Windy Sawgrass Site with the rustic bunkhouse and cook shack, or pack your tent for a night under the stars. This site is approximately 7 miles from the park entrance.
To reserve your spot, call 941-861-PARK (7275)
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources | 5883 Hummingbird Ave | Sarasota, FL 34241 US
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