Nina Julia Powers

Powers, Nina Julia
Sept. 19, 1950 - April 4, 2017
Born Tacoma, Washington, to Col. Carl F. Hay from Emporia, Kansas and Ljuba Julia Radimsky Hay from Omsk, Russia.
Arriving in Sarasota from Austria in 1955, Nina became a true local, living most of her life within a 2.5 mile radius of Downtown Sarasota. Educated at Sarasota High School, Ringling Art School, U.C.S.D. and U.S.F., she employed her Creative Talents as a circus artist, greenhouse manager at Selby Botanical Gardens and as a horticulturalist for Sarasota County.
As a young girl, "Cookie", always an animal lover, explored Sarasota's countryside on her beloved Appaloosa, Rebel. She showed and bred nationally acclaimed champion AKC English Mastiffs for Scarey Creek Mastiffs, co-owned with her husband Arnold Powers and the late Shirley Lyons, and served a year as president of the Mastiff Club of America. Nina still managed to grow rare bromeliads, orchids and caladiums in her home garden, presenting photos on Facebook.
Nina was an exceptionally intelligent, informed and dedicated environmentalist, who worked on a wide range of issues, both in her professional capacity and as an activist. In her many years with Sarasota County government, she brought her outgoing personality and infectious smile to work, engaging all kinds of people and positively impacting the community and all levels of government. She was pivotal in development of Sarasota County's Sustainability Program, working with agencies, businesses and the community to promote green buildings and energy efficiency. She fought many years for the adoption of Integrated Pest Management and the Precautionary Principle to limit toxic chemical and products, working with county advisory boards, agencies and environmental groups to educate the public and government on the hazards of pesticides and to promote safer alternatives. She was a founding and very active member of SCRAM, the environmental group that successfully halted and replaced aerial malathion spraying in Florida with biological controls. The program, still headquartered in Sarasota, is now a national model. She was also active and a board member of Beyond Pesticides, Wash. D.C.
Nina is survived and dearly missed by her husband Arnold Powers, sons Damon Powers and Zeppo, GSD Dux, a constant companion during her long courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Special thanks to Cheryl Gross, Lee Hays Byron, and Maynard Hiss for their long unwaivering support. Her family is grateful to Dr. James Fiorca and Dr. Luis Chu., many other specialists, and the many dedicated nurses for extending her life.
A celebration of life will eventually be scheduled. Nina was an exemplary citizen of Sarasota. Friends and colleagues who wish to honor her should come together and provide something public with her name (e.g., bench, brick in a wall, etc.).