Families celebrate Earth Day outdoors at The Bay

By Ian Swaby
| 5:45 a.m. April 29, 2025

Mason Manahan, 5, and Juniper Hassler, 6, dig in a compost pile.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Members of the community had a chance to celebrate Earth Day with a fitting activity — enjoying the planet — during Earth Day at The Bay on April 26.

"They really do a phenomenal job over here with events for children, which is all we could ask for," said Ryan Hassler. "Family activities is what we need."

The event, held April 26, included activities by Suncoast Remake Learning Days, and a tabling event, which both featured various community organizations such as Suncoast Waterkeeper, Architecture Sarasota and Sidewalk Science Center.

The activities included free kayaking and paddleboarding by Ride & Paddle, and the City of Sarasota Tree Giveaway, which was held April 25 and 26.

Hunter Jensen, program coordinator for Keep Sarasota County Beautiful, said he was "super excited" to be representing the organization.

"The turnout was phenomenal," he said. "I've at least had over 100 people stop at my booth alone. There's probably a lot more here too. So I would say this has been a great success for the city and the Bay."

Luke Doyle, 9, and his mom Emily Hanson, participate in the tai chi activity, which is led by Hanson's mother Gail Pettit.

Phoenix Novickis, 5, enjoyed spending Earth Day in the sun.

Vicki Marinangel of Longboat Key Turtle Watch showcases a model of a turtle nest.

August Glasgow, 4, handles a deer antler.

Joy Bonner picks up a tree from Senior Arborist Don Ullom of the City of Sarasota.

June Bernstein, 3, works on a brick project.

Maeve McLean, 3, participates in the the tai chi activity.

Gail Pettit leads Frances Bermudez of The Bay, and Pettit's grandson Luke Doyle, 9, in tai chi.

Mason Manahan, 5, tries on a glove as he prepares to dig in the compost.

Materials are on display at the Sunshine Community Compost table.

A display highlighted the impacts of fertilizer runoff.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.