In just a single visit to Myakka River State Park, visitors make lifelong memories as they experience moments of magic at the park. Despite the 34 miles of the Myakka River running through Sarasota County being designated as Florida’s only state-designated Wild and Scenic River, there are many youth in Sarasota County that have never seen the Myakka River or visited the state park. However, a partnership between Friends of Myakka River and UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is changing that. Since 2023, Friends of Myakka River has provided bus funding for students from Title I schools to visit the park as part of the award winning Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) Program.
The LIFE Program is a 4th and 5th grade environmental education program locally developed and coordinated by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. Aligned with Florida State Science Standards, the program includes in-class preparatory education followed by 2-3-hour field trips. Through hands-on science activities and instruction from scientists, rangers, educators, and land managers, the program brings science to life, supports standardized test success, exposes youth to careers in science and natural resources, and inspires youth to be responsible stewards of Sarasota’s unique and beautiful ecosystems.
Several agencies, organizations, and volunteers are brought together to make this work possible, including Florida State Parks, Big Waters Land Trust, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, and volunteers from the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Master Gardener Volunteer Program, Sarasota County, and Florida State Parks. Since the program’s start in Sarasota County in 2017, Myakka River State Park has graciously provided support throughout the years, first as a partnering site for field trips along with Oscar Scherer State Park and Lemon Bay County Park. In recent years, Myakka has bolstered its support of the LIFE program in Sarasota County by providing staff and volunteer support, leading lab activities, and revising educational materials. During the 2018-2019 school year, over 150 Sarasota County youth had the opportunity to visit and learn in Myakka River State Park. With the increased support provided by the park, the number of youth participating in the program climbed to 243 students in 2022.
Transportation is one critical barrier that prevents many youth from connecting with and exploring nature, and for Title I schools with limited resources, busing students to field trips is not always possible. In 2023, Friends of Myakka River provided nearly $5,000 to fund buses for students from Title I schools to attend LIFE Program field trips to Myakka River State Park. In the 2023-2024 school year, 17 field trips brought over 600 students to the park. 69% of those students were from Title I schools, with 72% of students visiting Myakka River State Park for the first time. Friends of Myakka River has continued to support the program over the years. As a result, the numbers of students attending field trips has only continued to rise, with 841 4th and 5th graders participating in the program during the 2024-2025 school year, and an astounding 25 field trips bringing nearly 1,000 local students to Myakka River State Park during the 2025-2026 school year.
During their field trips, youth have the opportunity to investigate the Myakka River’s freshwater ecosystem as they learn how energy flows through the food chain, from microscopic freshwater plankton to alligators, and investigate the water quality of the Myakka River by testing the pH, temperature and oxygen levels of the water. Friends of Myakka River has also supported the program by providing over $700 to purchase scientific equipment for students to use, such as water quality testing kits, new microscopes and an impressive digital projecting microscope that allows students who struggle to use traditional microscopes to see samples of plankton up close.
Students also learn how pollution impacts biodiversity while searching for sensitive aquatic macroinvertebrates such as dragonfly nymphs and water scorpions. After learning how to use binoculars, the next generation of passionate birders is created as students survey for birds and collect field data on their adaptations and behaviors. Seeing the bright pink plumage of Roseate Spoonbills, hearing the shrieking call of snail-eating Limpkins, and watching Great Blue Herons expertly spear and eat fish leaves LIFE program participants with the sense of wonder, awe, and joy that fosters a conservation ethic and appreciation for Florida’s spectacular natural environment and parks.
Board Treasurer and LIFE Program volunteer Sandy Plette says “Friends of Myakka River is proud to support the LIFE program, helping remove barriers and enhance the learning experience for all students, especially those from underserved communities.” “By investing in environmental education, we’re nurturing the next generation of conservationists and ensuring the future protection of Myakka’s natural treasures.”
In March 2026, Myakka River State Park, Friends of Myakka River, and UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County were honored with the Florida State Parks’ Community Partnership of the Year award in recognition of their outstanding successes in 2025. This achievement highlights the important work of the LIFE program in connecting local youth to nature and Florida’s public lands. We are proud to support this meaningful program and look forward to its continued impact.
Learn how you can double your impact to support programs like the LIFE Program by visiting our Giving Challenge page.
