|
Tampa Bay Gift Guide
The holidays are upon us, and with them comes the struggle of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Well, look no further! Support Tampa Bay and engage in conservation with ideas from our Tampa Bay gift guide. Each gift helps to restore and protect Tampa Bay and allows you to make a difference in the lives of those around you. From state park passes for the hiker in your life to vertical oyster gardens for your uncle that lives on the water and already has everything else, there’s something for everyone on your list. This holiday season, make a lasting impact with a gift that will continue to give back!
| |
|
Please help us welcome the newest member of our team, Jill Kunesh!
Jill is our Accounting Specialist and is responsible for accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, monthly reconciliations, budget forecasts, and annual audits. Prior to joining the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Jill worked for Tampa Bay Watch and various private sector businesses. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering and stewarding for nesting seabirds and sea turtles, hanging at the beach, kayaking Florida rivers and bays, bicycling, and reading.
| |
|
Join us at the 2023 EcoSUMMIT in Sarasota, FL! The Summit explores the simple idea that to preserve our quality of life, we must find a new balance with nature. We must counter the increasing impacts from development, population growth, and climate change with solutions that recharge our environment and reduce our footprint. Join us for two days of Big Ideas and Solutions. Find community and feel inspired through film, music, and storytelling.
Catch TBEP staff at two of the panel discussions:
Executive Director Ed Sherwood: Recharging Nature with Estuary Restoration
Assistant Director Maya Burke: Reducing Pollution with Holistic Water Management
We can’t wait to see you there!
| |
|
On November 4th, we hosted the first annual Tampa Bay Debris Derby, which was a resounding success! More than 140 volunteers came together and removed 4,664 pounds of trash from around the Tampa Bay watershed. We filled a large 30-yard dumpster with some unusual items, including shopping carts, a filing cabinet, huge buoys, bikes, and even a mysterious rock sculpture that may be cursed. Our 2023 Heavyweight Champion team was NOAA OR&R, managing to remove an impressive 657 pounds of trash!
Be sure to check out event photos and the 2023 Tampa Bay Debris Derby Recap video sponsored by Cayo Boatworks. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
| |
New Watering Restrictions | |
|
Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties will be limited to once-per-week lawn watering beginning December 1st.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted to declare a Modified Phase I Water Shortage due to ongoing dry conditions throughout the region and increasing water supply concerns.
Around 3 billion gallons of water are used every day in central and southern Florida for watering our lawns, drinking and bathing, growing our crops, and servicing our industries. Future water needs are projected to increase to approximately 4.1 billion gallons per day by 2040. One of the most effective ways to address increasing water needs is through water conservation.
For additional information about the Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order, visit WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.
For water conserving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.
| |
|
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
| |
|
VOGs and Eggnog at Weedon Island | Dec. 2
Want to give back to our local Tampa Bay estuary while getting in the holiday spirit? Join us to learn more about oysters and how they help Tampa Bay while making your very own vertical oyster garden (VOG)! Holiday refreshments and activities will be provided. All ages are welcome! Registration required.
Information
| |
|
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve | Dec. 2 & 9
Explore the coastal and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided tour of the Preserve.This tour is for adults and youth ages 10 and up and costs $3 per person. This tour is limited to 15 participants in total, so advance registration is required.
Information
| |
|
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
| |
|
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
| |
|
Master Gardener: Florida-Friendly Landscaping | Dec. 5
Delve into essential topics for creating and maintaining a beautiful and sustainable landscape in Florida. This program will explore UF/IFAS recommended practices to help you achieve a Florida-Friendly landscape, such as choosing the right plants for varying sun and shade conditions, understanding fertilizer types and application tips, identifying and managing common garden pests, and the art of selective hand pruning for healthier and more appealing landscapes.
Information
| |
|
Photography Hike at Weedon Island Preserve | Dec. 14
Grab your camera of choice and enjoy a guided tour of the trails at the Weedon Island Preserve. This guided tour may be up to 2 miles in total length and will traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks, so please prepare accordingly. This tour is recommended for adults.
Information
| |
|
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
| |
|
Wading Bird Walk at Weedon Island Preserve | Dec. 28
Learn the identifying marks and key behaviors of our most common wading birds at the Weedon Island Preserve during a guided walk of the trails. The program will begin with a brief classroom session to provide participants an overview of the birds found on the Preserve, including tips on when and where these species are most likely to be seen.
Information
| |
|
A Splash of Color Film Screening | Jan. 6
Join TBEP, BlueGAP, Invincible Summer Enterprises, and WatsTower Films for a screening of A Splash of Color: Getting Black in the Water, a film about Black water advocates in Tampa Bay. After the screening, there will be a panel featuring local water advocates Kymbriell Finch, Justin Lovett, Hillary Van Dyke, and filmmaker Ryan Watson. Food and alcohol will be available for purchase. Bring your own camping chair and reusable cup if you would like, but it is not required.
Information
| |
|
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.
Information
| |
|
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
| |
|
Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Awards for Diversity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility | Apply by Dec. 18
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, in partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, expects to award 10-15 grants, totaling approximately $75,000 for this funding competition. Typical awards sizes will range between $5,000 and $7,500 to support communities that are underserved, under-represented, or overburdened and to promote initiatives that investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris. Project concepts may include marine debris prevention, research, monitoring, detection, response, removal, and coordination activities.
More information
| |
|
National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program | Apply by Jan. 26
Restore America’s Estuaries, in close coordination with and financial support from EPA, administers the National Estuaries Program (NEP) Watersheds Grants. The Program is a nationally competitive grants program designed to support projects that address urgent, emerging, and challenging issues threatening the well-being of estuaries within the 28 NEP boundary areas.
More information
| |
|
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
| |
|
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
| |
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.
| | | | |
