- November 24, 2024
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The SRQ Volunteens pitched in at Phillippi Estate Park rounding up buckets of air potatoes with the Sarasota Bay Guardians Saturday morning. The event was part of a weekend of volunteer opportunities for the Global Youth Service Day Weekend that kicked off with an event at Girls Inc. on Friday.
Air potatoes are the non-edible fruit of an invasive vine that is common along Phillippi Creek and throughout the state of Florida. The vine is recognizable for large heart-shaped leaves that tend to be glossy.
Equipped with buckets, gloves and shovels volunteers combed through pathways looking for air potatoes. Between the three teams the group collected a total of 244 pounds of potatoes. The group also took home the award for weirdest air potato for the day. Hundreds of pounds of air potatoes were collected between the SRQ Volunteens and other groups that participated.
On Sunday the SRQ Volunteens will conclude the weekend with a day of cleaning up Sarasota Bay with Mote Marine Laboratory.