In 2021, a man walking the beach in Redington Shores spotted a critically endangered animal swimming in a shallow surf zone. A few days later another report came in. In both cases, local researchers quickly captured, tagged, and released the animals to the Bay, waiting in anticipation for the movement data they would capture over the course of the next two years.
Scroll to the bottom of this email to find out what that animal was and what you should do if you find yourself in a similar situation.
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Are Warming Waters Contributing to Seagrass Losses? |
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Since 2018, at least 6,300 acres of seagrasses (a key indicator of Tampa Bay’s health) have been lost, with the majority of the decline happening in Old Tampa Bay. A new study aims to investigate how warming waters might contribute to these losses, and if so, what can be done to help the plants survive. TBEP’s Maya Burke provides a deeper dive in an interview with FOX 13.
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Tampa Bay Ocean Sweep in Review |
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Estuary Education for Everyone
Our recently redesigned Education web page serves up years of Tampa Bay-centric resources, including videos, teacher’s guides, animations, lesson plans, and much more. Use the table’s search bar to find specific content. Check back in for new products as they are produced.
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The Big Cleanup Clearwater | November 8-12
Contribute to one of the Bay’s largest cleanup events at over 50 sites from Tuesday, November 8th to Saturday, November 12th. Visit the link below to view a map of all cleanup locations. Event Web Page
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Natural Resources Career Night at The Nest | Nov. 10
Stop by The Nest at Robinson Preserve for an informative evening showcasing local professionals and careers in the environmental and heritage resource fields. Learn more about what it takes to get into the field of science and network with people from local organizations. Event Info
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Lassing Park Living Shoreline Project | Multiple Dates
Participate in this multi-year project to mitigate the erosion on the park’s northern shore due to wave and wake action. Volunteers will create an oyster shell bar to restore lost habitat by promoting new oyster growth, ultimately improving water quality and providing food sources and habitat for many species. Multiple dates are available for this one. Find one that works for you and register via the link below. Dates include Nov. 9-10 and Dec. 14-15. Event Info
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Lower Green Swamp Bird Walk | Nov. 19
Calling all young birders in the Tampa Bay area! Join the Tampa Bay Young Birders group for a few-mile hike of Lower Green Swamp Preserve. Register below: Event Info
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Let's Talk about Ponds Workshop | Nov. 21
Coordinated by UF and Manatee County, this full-day workshop is a great opportunity for engaged homeowners, HOA leaders, realtors, and maintenance professionals to learn more about how stormwater ponds are intended to function, best management practices, and pond maintenance. Prepare for a day in the sun. Event Info
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Boyd Hill Raptor Run | Dec. 10
A friendly 5k run hosted and sponsored by Anytime Fitness Downtown to raise funds for the conservation efforts of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Event Info
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2023 St. Petersburg Science Festival | Feb. 17-18, 2023
After 2 years of virtual festivals, St. Pete’s favorite STEAM celebration is ready to return to the USF St. Pete campus. The event will be held in conjunction with MarineQuest. Organizations and groups interested in exhibiting are encouraged to visit the signup form below. Facebook Event Page | Exhibitor Signup Form
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Source Water Protection Mini-grant Program
$30,000 in grant money is available to help fund projects and events by local community groups, nonprofit groups, schools, and universities. Grants range from $2,000 to $10,000 for activities that help protect regional drinking water sources and the ecosystem.
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Flood Mitigation Assistance (FEMA)
$800,000,000 in total program funding available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Grant Web Page
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Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
$2,295,000,000 in total program funding available to states, U.S territories, Indian tribal governments, and local communities for pre-disaster mitigation activities. Follow the link below for a more detailed outline of this grant’s priorities. Grant Web Page
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Upside Down at the Recycling Plant (City of Tampa) |
Half-empty cans and containers turn everything upside down at the recycling plant. The City of Tampa released a ~strange~ video (wink) to remind city residents to fully clean out their cans. Watch Video on Facebook
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THOUGHT OF THE MONTH ANSWER:
THE SMALLTOOTH SAWFISH
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Issues like overfishing, habitat loss, and low reproductive potential have contributed to a decline in sawfish populations in the U.S., but recent sightings in Tampa Bay have researchers hopeful that a rebound might be possible.
You can learn more about these unique creatures, current efforts to track and document their recovery, and what you should do if you spot one by watching the video below.
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The mission of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is to build partnerships to restore and protect Tampa Bay through implementation of a scientifically sound, community-based management plan.
TBEP is a partnership of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties; the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater; the Southwest Florida Water Management District; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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