Environmental organizations host grand opening of SE Quad at Celery Fields

On Saturday, October 24, over 500 community members of all ages enjoyed a morning in nature, as Big Waters Land Trust (Big Waters) and Sarasota Audubon Society (Audubon) celebrated the grand opening of the Southeast Quad adjacent to the internationally renowned bird-watching destination, the Celery Fields. The celebration marked 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 were guided nature and birdwatching tours of the 11-acre site, family-friendly activities, and information provided by Audubon and Big Waters, with Kona Ice on site to provide cool treats to all visitors.

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"The Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, and others gave their trust in us to do what we said we could do and would do: created habitat for wildlife and green space for all to enjoy," said Audubon Director of Special Projects Jeanne Dubi. "Today we have repaid that trust."

In her remarks, Dubi noted the tremendous increases in bird and insect species, as well as other wildlife species that have been spotted on the site.

In 2019, 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 adjacent to the Celery Fields and, at the same time, entered into a management agreement with Sarasota Audubon Society to re-wild and maintain the three parcels. Since that time, the organizations have collaborated to fundraise and secure external vendors to re-wild these 33 acres, which will improve wildlife habitat, buffer the Celery Fields from industrial uses and I-75 to the west, and provide low-impact public access. Three phases were planned to address each of the three Quad Parcels.

Phase I 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. The day before the public grand opening, organizational leaders and staff teams from Sarasota Audubon Society, Big Waters Land Trust, and Sarasota County welcomed approximately 50 civic leaders and community members for brief remarks and a ribbon-cutting to mark and celebrate the official opening of the SE Quad Parcel.

In attendance were current Sarasota County Commissioners Ron Cutsinger, Teresa Mast and Mark Smith, former County Commissioner Charles Hines, Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan R. Lewis and members of the Sarasota County staff team, numerous representatives from engineering firm Kimley-Horn and construction manager Willis Smith, and major donors to the re-wilding effort. Speakers included former County Commissioner, environmentalist, and Gulf Coast Community Foundation Director of Policy and Advocacy Jon Thaxton, who served as emcee, Commissioner Cutsinger, Big Waters Land Trust President and CEO Christine Johnson, and Sarasota Audubon Director of Special Projects Jeanne Dubi.

"A project like this takes vision, commitment, time and a great deal of hard work – but, most importantly, collaboration," said Big Waters President and CEO Christine Johnson during the ribbon-cutting. "One of my favorite sayings is, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' Togetherness is how re-wilding these three parcels gets done."

Next up, the organizations will be working on the Southwest Quad Parcel, which will include features for visitors of all ages: a Celery Fields history walk along a winding path, a natural play area for kids, shaded picnic tables, open areas, along with parking and facilities. Trails and walkways will be ADA-compliant. A $1 million community matching campaign has been funded by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and several generous area philanthropic families to inspire giving.

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.