The storms did a number on mangrove forests, which protect much of Sarasota Bay in Manatee County. One of the most-protected sites saw nearly half the mangroves destroyed, including huge old-growth trees snapped in half by hurricane winds.
The survey came during the second year of the Mangrove Ranger program, which is conducted by Sarasota Waterkeeper. The nonprofit environmental advocacy group has estimated 90% of the mangroves in Sarasota County have been wiped out, so they’re concentrating their preservation efforts on the northern part of the bay.
Abbey Tyrna is executive director of Sarasota Waterkeeper…