Sarasota Bay Estuary Program accepting grant applications

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is accepting applications for the 2013 Bay Partner Grants Program.

The program aims to promote environmental education, community involvement and stewardship to improve the quality of Sarasota Bay and its tributaries.

Applications must be received by 4 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Sarasota Bay Estuary Program offices, 111 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota, and can also be emailed to Sara Kane at [email protected].

Organizations can receive grants of up to $3,000.

Last year’s recipients included Mote Marine Laboratory, which received $2,000 to partially fund an educational signage project and Sarasota Bay Watch, which received $2,000 to partially fund its Sister Keys and Skiers Island cleanups.

SBEP has awarded $213,000 in grants to more than 90 organizations since 2002.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].