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Sarasota News Leader September 20, 2013 Page 77 NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY CELEBRATION SET FOR SEPT. 28 To mark National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, Sarasota County Natural Resources and Parks and Recreation staff members will host a volunteer event from 9 a.m. to noon at Red Bug Slough Preserve, located at 5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota, the county has announced. click "Go." Finally, choose "National Public Lands Day" on Sept. 28. Space for the event is limited to 25 volunteers, the release notes. Volunteers are encouraged to bring loppers or hand pruners, work gloves, hats, sunglasses, water, bug spray and sunscreen, the release says. Volunteers should also wear closed-toe, "This event is an excellent opportunity for vol- closed-heel shoes such as hiking boots or unteers to help maintain the preserve's ame- sneakers. nities and natural features," said Jeff Weber, environmental specialist and land manager for "National Public Lands Day is the nation's Red Bug Slough Preserve, in a news release. largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance America's public lands," the reStaff will work with volunteers to improve the existing butterfly garden with weeding, prun- lease points out. Last year more than 170,000 ing, the replacement of nuisance exotic plants volunteers nationwide built trails and bridges, with Florida-friendly vegetation, installation planted trees and plants and removed trash of landscaping and mulch around the new and invasive plants. This effort contributed an restroom facility and erection of interpretive estimated $17 million to the improvement of public lands across the country, the release signs, the release notes. adds. To participate in the event, volunteers should register in advance online at www.scgov.net. For more information, contact the Sarasota Select the "Calendar" tab on the left, then click County Call Center at 861-5000 and ask for on "September" from the drop-down list and Natural Resources or visit www.scgov.net. Red Bug Slough on Beneva Road will be the site of the National Public Lands Day celebration on Sept. 28. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County