Tampa Bay Watch, www.tampabaywatch.org, is an organization dedicated to protecting and restoring our local marine and wetlands habitat. They dedicate a tremendous amount of time, effort and money in mobilizing the community in making a difference for the Tampa Bay estuary.
They have several upcoming events in which you're invited to get your hands dirty and your feet wet and we're proud to say that BCHS earth science and ecology students can earn class credit while making a difference! Interested students should check with their science teacher before participating to confirm the specific teachers criterion for the extra credit and exactly how it would be applied to their score.
*The information provided below is directly from www.tampabaywatch.org
 Terra Ceia Salt Marsh Planting
Saturday, September 29th, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay's largest salt marsh planting on record!
Tampa Bay Watch, SWFWMD-SWIM, FDEP, and FWCC are planning to execute the largest volunteer marsh planting in the history of Tampa Bay. The event is planned for two sectors of the Terra Ceia Ecosystem Restoration Project located in northern Manatee County. The event will occur Saturday at 9 A.M., September 29, 2007. The projected 350 volunteers needed will be scattered over 34 acres of restored/created estuarine wetlands. Thirty thousand (30,000) plugs of salt marsh is what we plan to install; the current record is from a planting in October 2005 at the Braided Tidal Creek phase of the Cockroach Bay project. Two hundred twenty five (225) volunteers planted 22,500 plugs of salt marsh in about 2.5 hours!
 International Coastal Cleanup
When: Saturday October 20th, 2007
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wear/Bring: Closed toe shoes, hat, bring gloves, sunscreen and water
***trashbags, latex gloves, sunscreen and water will be provided at both sites***
Reservations Required: please contact Alexis, aackman@tampabaywatch.org to sign up yourself or your group. Please indicate which site you will be joining.
Site 1: Fort De Soto
Meet at Shelter 12 near the Bay Pier and Dog Park at Ft. De Soto
Site 2: Cunningham Key
Meet at the Tampa Bay Watch headquarters
Come help Tampa Bay Watch and Keep Pinellas Beautiful participate in the International Coastal Cleanup on October 20th. This event takes place annually around the country. Together, we form a united front against pollution on our beaches and coastal communities.
 14th Annual Monofilament Clean Up
Who: Volunteers with boats or kayaks. Volunteers without boats can participate; however, there is limited space.
When & Where: Boaters will receive a packet indicating your islands to clean; just go out anytime on Saturday, October 20th.
Did you know?
Tampa Bay and the Gulf coast are home to some of the most important bird nesting colonies in the state of Florida. Audubon of Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries monitors 50,000 breeding pairs of birds of 25 different species, many of which are endangered, threatened or species of special concern.
Although many of the nesting and roosting sites are protected or closed to the public, monofilament fishing line often accumulates in these areas and birds unnecessarily die. Anglers may snag their line on mangrove trees and discard it there. Birds hooked at fishing piers can drag the monofilament back to roosting sites or even weave it in their nests, endangering both adults and young. If the monofilament enters the water it can indiscriminately kill fish, dolphins, and manatees. Read below to find ways you can help reduce the buildup of monofilament fishing line in our coastal areas.
Tampa Bay's wildlife needs your help! Coordinated with Audubon of Florida, Tampa Bay Watch is seeking volunteer boaters to participate in a monofilament (fishing line) clean up at bird nesting islands around Tampa Bay. Volunteers will remove snarled fishing line from mangroves and shorelines at sites close to home.
Reservations are required. If you would like to participate, please fill out and return the form below to: John Hadley at: jhadley@tampabaywatch.org.
Pier Walking!
The next phase of the the South Skyway Project
What - For this phase of the project, volunteers will walk the South Skyway Fishing Pier, collecting fishing line and other trash and "demonstrate best behavior" by depositing it in the Fishing Line Recycling Bins. And trash cans Even more important, volunteers will also be speaking with anglers about the importance of recycling fishing line, and proper disposal of all debris, as well as tips on how to minimize interactions with dolphins.
Where - South Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier
Who - Anyone who wishes! Pier Walking will be done by teams of 2 or more. Anyone is welcome to participate!
When - The dates and time for Pier Walking are flexible and can be set to your schedule! We ask volunteers to commit to two shifts (2 - 4 hr/shift) per month. You can pick the days of the week and times that are best for you! Weekday, Weekend, Morning, Afternoon, and Evening are all options.
What's next? - We are asking anyone wishing to volunteer for the Pier Walker Program to attend one training day. We will be reviewing exactly what you will be doing, talking points we'd like you to cover, do's and don'ts, as well as answer any questions that you may have. We will also hand out Pier Walker t-shirts and Volunteer Passes to gain you entry onto the Skyway Fishing Pier.
Trainings will be done at Eckerd College, Galbraith Marine Laboratory Conference Room located at 4200 54th Ave South, off Pinellas Bayway, immediately before the toll plaza. Turn into main entrance, stay to the right on the first traffic circle, and follow signs to Galbraith Bldg.
Monday, September 24 - 6:00-8:00 pm
Sunday, September 30 - 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Sunday, October 7 - 4:00-6:00 pm
Please RSVP if you are able to attend a training, and which day you will attend. If you can not attend any of these dates, but wish to participate as a Pier Walker, please let us know. |
