I was fortunate to be able to participate in the salt marsh grass planting in Terra Ceia this morning with my youngest children Connor and Elora. We were more than a little concerned about our ability to participate as the baseball and softball schedules came out on Monday and both children were scheduled to have their first game on Saturday.
If not for divine intervention I'd have been making the trip solo, but the deluge on Friday night made the fields unplayable. The fronts had passed by Saturday morning so I packed up the shorties and a change of clothes for everyone and off we went.
Salt marsh grass is essential in providing and protecting habitat in the intertidal zone of our estuaries. For more information on salt marsh grass and area plantings I encourage you to visit their web site and page on the effort, salt marsh grass.
 The location of the planting was adjacent to the Bishops Harbor boat ramp, a couple of miles up US 41 from exit two just over the skyway. We were greeted by a throng of volunteers and a group from Tampa Bay Watch who organized us into groups and gave us the a little information and a demonstration on the techniques necessary.
One member of the group would make the holes followed by another with fertilizer, if the hole was on dry land, and the rest would follow with salt marsh grass plugs that were grown at local schools. The kids and I took turns at each activity and our group went through about three of the large garbage bags of the plugs before the temptation of the mud and the water overcame any vision of my children's purpose there.
 Actually, it was pretty good for them. I told my wife when we left that I figured we'd be lucky to get about an hour of effort from them. They ended up putting in about an hour and a half and the ending came with both covered in mud and preferring to walk/splash in the water/mud... but at least they were having fun.
We are very thankful for the good people at Tampa Bay Watch for giving us the opportunity to participate in such a worth while activity. It was definitely a learning experience for the children and it's always good to know that you've helped to make a difference.
  
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