Celery Fields & Audubon Nature Center

Vue d'ensemble

In early 2001, Sarasota Audubon began conducting bird surveys at the Fields. To date, 216 species have been recorded. Wintertime offers particularly good birding, hosting sparrows, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, and several species of rails, including Sora and Virginia. The Fields also host breeding birds, including Black-necked Stilts, King Rail, Least Bittern, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Eastern Towhee, Barn Owl and Eastern Meadowlark. Least Terns breed on nearby buildings and use the ponds as a primary food source. Rarities show up from time to time, including Upland and White-rumped Sandpipers, Short-eared Owl and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow. The location of the site, the large number of diverse bird species, and its public ownership by Sarasota County make the Celery Fields an ideal location for wildlife watching and passive recreational use.

Wetlands restoration of 100 acres is now complete at the Celery Fields. More than 20,000 aquatic plants and trees have been planted, and two boardwalks have been installed. In October of 2015, the Sarasota Audubon Society opened a new nature center on the property.

The more than 300 acres is also Sarasota County’s primary storm water collection zone, allowing it to serve a dual purpose of public safety and recreation.

The Audubon Nature Center is a LEED Gold Certified Building

Visit Green Sarasota
updated 09/2016 by SCOPE Volunteer