Become a Mangrove Ranger and help us inventory vulnerable mangroves

Suncoast Waterkeeper is committed to environmental protection through environmental monitoring.  We regularly monitor water quality, but we want to expand our efforts to monitor ecosystems promoting clean water.  One of the most important ecosystems on our coasts is mangrove forests.  Unfortunately, mangroves in Manatee County are under enormous development pressure.  Our goal is to map the extent and health of mangroves in vulnerable areas using drones annually.  We need your help!

To accomplish our goal, we must assemble 3-5 teams of 3 to map mangroves from December through early January.  Each team will consist of

1. a licensed drone pilot,
2. a boat owner, and
3. a spotter/data manager (no experience necessary) 

We will kick-off this Mangrove Ranger program with training meeting on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9:30 AM – 11 AM at the Bahia Mar West Marina on N. US 41 in Bradenton (just north of the airport).  Coffee, water, and baked goods from Mama G’s will be provided.  Please save the date!  During the meeting, you will receive a training manual, be assigned to a team if you haven’t already assembled your own, and be given instructions and a location for conducting your first mangrove mapping project.  Also, during the meeting, you will work with your team to schedule your drone flight.  Flights should take no more than 30 minutes once you arrive to the location.  Flights must be scheduled on or before Jan. 14.

If you are interested, but not available on Dec. 9.  No problem, let us know below when you are available for training.   Thank you so much for your support! Together we can protect what we love about the Suncoast.