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Manatees on the Move
November is manatee awareness month! As the weather cools, manatees travel to warm-water sites like springs and power plant discharges. These areas increase their contact with boaters and put them at risk for boat strikes.
Do your part and go slow, look out below! Manatees can be difficult to see in the water, so pay attention to all slow, no wake zones and wear polarized sunglasses, which can help in finding them underwater.
Physically handling a distressed or stranded manatee can cause more harm. Instead, report injured, distressed, sick or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or by dialing #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone so trained responders can assist.
Learn more: https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/manatee-1122/
| Photo courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | |
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We’re so thankful to all of our volunteers who dedicated their time over the past year to give back to the bay. Give-A-Day for the Bay is a volunteer program that lets people like you put in “sweat equity” to clean and restore the bay area. From removing invasive plants to creating living shorelines, these events encourage volunteers to get dirty, give back, and have fun!
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Visit our calendar to find out about upcoming events: https://tbep.org/calendar/
Join our volunteer email list: https://tbep.org/get-involved/volunteer/#
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Photo courtesy of Douglas R. Clifford, Tampa Bay Times | |
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A growing number of Tampa Bay seafood restaurants aren’t throwing away their used oyster shells, instead giving them to Tampa Bay Watch to be used for new oyster reefs in the bay.
Tampa Bay Watch picks up shells collected by restaurants, which are dried and cleaned at a curing station in Fort De Soto. After 3 months, shells are built into vertical oyster gardens or oyster reefs. Those reefs become habitat for fish and wildlife, and allow settling oysters to filter harmful pollutants from the water.
Roughly 4 tons of oyster shells are already being recycled monthly across Tampa Bay under this new initiative. Since the project’s launch in February 2022, the program has recycled an estimated 102,000 pounds of oyster shells.
Restoration managers aim to increase Tampa Bay’s oyster coverage to 471 of the bay’s 256,000 acres by 2050 (Tampa Bay Estuary Program Habitat Master Plan).
Article by Max Chesnes, Tampa Bay Times
Read more: Tampa Bay Times: Shells for Shorelines
Are you a restaurant owner, or do you know a restaurant owner, who might be interested in participating in the Shells for Shorelines program?
Reach out to Richard Radigan by emailing rradigan@tampabaywatch.org
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Vacancies on Pinellas Park Water Management District Board | |
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Pinellas County is now accepting applications for a three-year term on the Pinellas Park Water Management District Board of Directors, which manages the primary stormwater drainage system within the City of Pinellas Park and surrounding unincorporated areas within the district’s boundaries.
Applicants must reside in the district with an outstanding reputation for civic pride, interest, integrity, responsibility and business ability. No person who is an officer or employee of any city or county, in any capacity, except elected officials, shall be appointed as a member of the authority.
The District Board was created pursuant to Special Act 75-491, Laws of Florida, as amended by 2001-325 Laws of Florida, which can be found at http://www.ppwmd.com/media/2014/ppwmd-charter.pdf.
Applications can be found at pinellas.gov/boards and must be received no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.
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Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | |
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The Great Outdoors Initiative was announced October 13 and will run through January 13, 2024. It was designed to encourage Floridians to go outdoors and explore Florida’s natural resources, including state parks, recreation areas, and waterways.
Florida State Parks Annual Passes will have a 50% discount and will be available at the following rates:
- Family Annual Pass - $60, plus tax
- Individual Annual Pass - $30, plus tax
The following Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Gold Sportsman licenses, which include the saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and hunting privileges and all associated permits, will also be discounted by 50% and will be available at the following rates, plus applicable fees:
- Annual Gold Sportsman - $50.75
- 5-year Gold Sportsman - $247.75
- Lifetime Sportsman’s License
- Age 4 or younger - $201.50.
- Ages 5-12 - $351.50.
- Ages 13 and older - $501.50
FWC will also exempt individuals from needing fishing licenses within Florida state parks during this nearly three-month period.
To buy a pass or to find a park near you, visit: www.floridastateparks.org/.
To find more information on fishing and hunting licenses in Florida, visit: myfwc.com/license/recreational/ and to purchase a license, visit: License.GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
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Science by the Slice is a podcast from the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education (PIE Center) that explores the science behind issues affecting our daily lives, encompassing public health, agriculture, and natural resources. Experts discuss the science of complex challenges in our society, then, through analysis and storytelling, piece together the motivations that reveal the way people think about, form, and act on opinions regarding these pivotal issues.
Each episode includes an accompanying transcript and learning guide. Learning guides are educational tools to facilitate discussions related to the topics presented.
Check out the episode Protecting Wild Spaces: Balancing Development and Conservation in Florida!
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International Coastal Cleanup | Oct. 7-Nov. 18 | |
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Keep Pinellas Beautiful is hosting cleanup events throughout Pinellas County from Oct. 7-Nov. 18. Visit the website to find the cleanup closest to you and do your part to maintain the beauty of our estuary!
Information
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Hillsborough County Hiking Spree | Nov. 1-Mar. 31
The Hillsborough County Hiking Spree is back for its 8th year! Featuring 25 trails throughout the county, this event is ideal for nature-enthusiasts, exercise fanatics, bird watchers, and more! Residents are encouraged to bring their leashed dogs on the hikes.
Information
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Wonders of Wildlife Festival | Nov. 11
The Wonders of Wildlife Festival will provide a unique opportunity to see some of Florida’s native species up close, demonstrations, wildlife programs, artists, exhibits, and hands-on activities while learning about sustainability, conservation efforts, and threats to our wildlife. Tickets are $15 for adults 18 years and older. Proceeds from the festival will help the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay continue its conservation efforts.
Information
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Water Wise Workshop: Rainwater Harvesting (Virtual) | Nov. 17
Last chance to obtain your rain barrel in 2023. Join Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Educator Melissa West as she explores practical, low-cost approaches to harness our most precious resource. Tune in to learn more about rainwater harvesting, rain gardens and how to make use of your rainwater. This is a free event. Rain barrels are available for purchase in advance. To purchase a rain barrel, choose the $45 ticket option.
Information
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Native Plant Hike at the Florida Botanical Gardens |
Nov. 20
Walk with a Master Gardener through the natural area at the east end of the Florida Botanical Gardens. Learn about the native ecosystems and plants found in our natural area. Free event!
Information
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Green Living Expo | Dec. 2 & 3
Explore solutions to go green at the Green Living Expo. Demo and buy sustainable products and services from green businesses and non-profit organizations. Get involved and get hands on with opportunities to volunteer and help solve local environmental issues. It’s a two-day trade-show loaded with ideas and demos about how to reduce our impacts on the environment. Register for free tickets.
Information
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EcoSummit | Dec. 5 & 6
Two days of Big Ideas and Solutions. Experts will share insights and innovations for recharging our environment and reducing our impacts — crucial to sustaining our coastal community’s quality of life. We’ll explore our environmental heritage as a touchstone for a resilient future. It’s a lively and entertaining solutions-oriented experience with lectures, panel discussions, storytelling, and music.
Information
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NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest | Dec. 15
The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds an annual art contest to reach K-8 students and help raise awareness about marine debris. All students in kindergarten through eighth grade from all U.S. states and territories in recognized public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate. Entries are due December 15, 2023.
Information
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Florida State Fish Art Contest | Feb. 28
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is excited to announce that the 25th Anniversary Fish Art Contest is now open. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can compete in this free contest to win state and national honors and prizes. The contest is open until February 28, 2024.
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EPA Environmental Education Grants | Apply by Nov. 8
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $3.6 million for local environmental education projects that increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues. These funds will help communities create a more sustainable future while taking responsible actions toward the environment.
More information
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Source Water Protection Mini-Grants | Apply by Nov. 10
Tampa Bay Water offers the Source Water Protection Mini-grant Program with $30,000 in grant money 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. Applications are due November 10, 2023.
More information
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Tampa Bay Sierra Club Grant | Open Application
The Tampa Bay Sierra Club provides funding (up to $500) to approved individuals, groups, schools, and civic organizations to support endeavors which closely align or support the mission and goals of Sierra Club.
More information
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Marine Debris Challenge Competition | Apply by Mar. 27
Around $16M will be available to support innovative research to projects that address the prevention and removal of marine debris, with award periods of three years. Letters of intent must be submitted by January 31, 2024.
More information
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Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions | Apply by Mar. 5
Around $3M will be available to individual Sea Grant Programs to support the creation of coalitions and partnerships to address marine debris prevention and removal. Applications for this opportunity must be submitted through a Sea Grant Program, and partnerships are encouraged. Letters of intent must be submitted by December 14, 2023.
More information
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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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