Attendees discover the 'wonders of water' at Bay Fest

Now in its third year, the event brought together various conservation organizations to showcase the life found in Sarasota's local waterways.

By Ian Swaby
| 3:55 p.m. March 7, 2026

Kiana Nahale, 3, meets a hawksbill turtle.

Sarasota
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Although the water was in view at The Bay on March 7, some of the fascinating sights of the ocean were represented right on the park grounds at Bay Fest.

"What makes it different than last year is we're really leaning into that magical feel of the estuary," said Megan Barry, public outreach manager with Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.

A partnership between Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, The Bay and Sarasota County, the event is part of Good to Be Green Months at The Bay, held in March and April.

Barry describes it as "all the most important groups, all the nonprofits, all the community partners, all the local partners protecting our environment, in one spot."

Offerings included a presentation by Sarasota Bay Estuary Program with a virtual fly-over and snorkel of Sarasota Bay, and another by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program of Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

Barry said attendees could take home, and to the community, different ways to be a better environmental steward.