Environmental organizations invite community to grand opening of SE Quad at Celery Fields

On Saturday, October 24, community members of all ages are invited to enjoy a morning in nature, as Big Waters Land Trust (Big Waters) and Sarasota Audubon Society (Audubon) celebrate the grand opening of the Southeast Quad adjacent to the internationally renowned bird-watching destination, the Celery Fields. The Southeast Quad opening celebrates the completion of Phase I of re-wilding the three parcels immediately west of the Celery Fields, serving as a buffer to this critical environmental treasure and an extension of the habitat for birds and people alike.

During the event, there will be tours of the 11-acre site every hour, family-friendly activities, and information provided by Audubon and Big Waters. Guests of all ages can enjoy walking, birdwatching, and learning more about the ongoing plans for the remaining parcels. This event, which takes place from 9 a.m.-noon, is free and open to the public.

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The re-wilding of the three parcels adjacent to the Celery Fields involves 33 acres at the intersection of Palmer Boulevard and Apex Road in Sarasota County. The project became a reality in 2019, when the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners granted Big Waters Land Trust (at that time known as the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast) a perpetual conservation easement on the southeast, northeast and southwest Quad Parcels, and at the same time entered into a management agreement with Sarasota Audubon to re-wild and maintain the three parcels.

Big Waters and the Audubon are spearheading the joint fundraising effort to bring the full scope of the plans to life.

Jeanne Dubi of Sarasota Audubon Society said, "We are thrilled to be able to open a portion of the Quads to the general public. For the last 18 months, Sarasota Audubon has overseen the construction of the 11-acre site and is delighted to welcome the community to enjoy Sarasota's newest green space."

The first phase of the re-wilding project, launched in January 2025, involved improving the 11-acre Southeast Quad by planting over 21,000 trees and plants while creating trails, a pond, and wildlife-viewing gazebo. A new $1 million matching opportunity – supported by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and three local philanthropic families – will support the next phase, which aims to transform the Southwest Quad into a nature-based community space, featuring a natural play area for kids, shaded picnic tables, parking and facilities, and ADA-compliant trails and walkways.

"The rewilding project will improve wildlife habitat, buffer the Celery Fields from industrial uses and I-75 to the west, and provide low-impact public access," said Big Waters President Christine Johnson. "At Big Waters Land Trust, our mission is to protect land and water for the benefit of people and nature and we are thrilled to see that mission come to life at the Quad Parcels."

The Celery Fields is both a nationally and internationally recognized birding hotspot and vital to water quality and flood protection in the area. The perpetual conservation easement of the three parcels ensures that these public lands and the improvements will remain for the public to enjoy forever.

Visit bigwaterslandtrust.org/rewilding-the-quad-parcel-at-the-celery-fields or sarasotaaudubon.org/quad to learn more about the rewilding project. To donate to the project, visit bigwaterslandtrust.org/donate or memberplanet.com/campaign/sarasotaaudubonsociety/rewildingthequads.

ABOUT BIG WATERS LAND TRUST
Big Waters protects Florida's land and water for the benefit of people and nature. Through strategic collaborations with individuals, groups, organizations, and government, they work to ensure all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy, and all the other physical and mental benefits nature provides. Their vital work strengthens Florida's resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives, and helps safeguard our community for generations to come. Learn more at bigwaterslandtrust.org.

ABOUT SARASOTA AUDUBON SOCIETY
Sarasota Audubon is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society, dedicated to the protection, conservation, and enjoyment of birds, wildlife and the environment in Sarasota, Florida. Using a combination of science and education, Sarasota Audubon conserves and restores natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Learn more at SarasotaAudubon.org.