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Do you Love Nature and Wildlife?
Volunteers are needed to gather information on plants and animals as part of ongoing research on the effects of climate change.
A Nature's Notebook Workshop on February 11 at Hillsborough County Extension Service in Seffner will teach you how to observe and record information in your own backyard or a nearby natural area. TBEP is sponsoring this workshop, which will be taught by George Kish of the U.S. Geological Survey.
You'll leave the workshop loaded with great resources and ready to participate in a national network of thousands of citizen scientists providing valuable observations through an online database.
This workshop is free and open to the public, but registration is required and space is limited.
Register Now!
Nature's Notebook is a program of the National Phenology Network. This workshop is sponsored by Tampa Bay Estuary Program, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Hillsborough Extension Service.
Click here to learn more about the Nature's Notebook project.
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New Publication Spotlights Science in Tampa Bay
A new technical publication highlights how success in restoring Tampa Bay has been built upon a solid foundation of scientific research.
"Integrating Science and Resource Management in Tampa Bay, Florida" is a joint publication of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. TBEP Executive Director Holly Greening was a co-editor. It can be downloaded here.
The publication is intended to provide a thorough history of how science has been critical to the development and implementation of successful management strategies developed through the public, government, academic and private partners working in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay is among the most well-studied waterways in the nation thanks to a strong collaboration among bay area scientists and hands-on managers that stretches back more than 30 years. In addition to research supported by TBEP, its local partners and academic institutions, the U.S. Geological Survey has conducted a far-ranging suite of research in the bay in the past decade. Key findings from both sponsors are featured in this publication, along with examples of how the research has been used to drive management solutions.
Chapters cover the natural history of the bay and its physical characteristics; changes brought about by development; seagrass restoration; water quality; freshwater inflows; sediment contamination and benthic health; and habitat protection and restoration. Taken together, they present a comprehensive synthesis of what we have learned about Tampa Bay, and how we have collectively used that knowledge to advance bay recovery goals.
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TBEP Director Briefs EPA Brass on Value of Estuary Programs In December, TBEP Executive Director Holly Greening, on behalf of the Association of National Estuary Programs, traveled to Washington to brief EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Nancy Stoner and other senior EPA managers on ways in which the NEPs are implementing Clean Water Act programs locally. The presentation was based on a recent survey completed by the directors of all 28 NEPs.
Holly's briefing detailed how the NEPs -- as non-regulatory, collaborative partnerships -- are unique mechanisms for improving the health of the nation's estuaries. There are four NEPs in Florida: Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Indian River Lagoon.
Holly emphasized both the cost-efficiency and the measurable environmental results provided by the NEPs. For example, she reported, the NEPs leverage an average of $15 for every $1 in funding from EPA.
Additionally, all of the NEPs with adequate monitoring programs that have implemented nutrient or bacteria reduction actions in their watersheds have shown measurable declines in nutrient or bacteria contamination. Tampa Bay is widely regarded as a model for successful nutrient management.
The bottom line of the briefing was that NEPs directly and efficiently deliver and connect EPA programs at the local level.
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Best Wishes for the
New Year from the
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
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In recent years, large algae blooms such as this one north of the Howard Frankland Bridge have been reported in Old Tampa Bay.
Photo courtesy of Dorian Photography Inc.
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Old Tampa Bay Study Gets Underway
A comprehensive study of factors affecting water quality and seagrass recovery in Old Tampa Bay is now underway, with a goal of devising cost-effective management solutions to improve environmental conditions in this troubled part of the bay.
The 3-year project is being coordinated by TBEP, with input and involvement from an advisory committee of interested scientists, bay managers and citizens. The work is being conducted by a diverse team of scientific consultants put together by Janicki Environmental, a St. Petersburg firm. The project is expected to cost nearly $2 million, with $1.2 million coming from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
The kick-off meeting for the project was held in December. Click here to see presentations and a summary of the meeting.
A second stakeholder meeting is scheduled for January 20 from 9 am-noon at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. All interested parties are welcome.
Lagging seagrass recovery, persistent algae blooms and an expanding layer of thick, gooey muck near Safety Harbor have made this area of north Tampa Bay a top priority for restoration. The new study will bolster our understanding of factors affecting the health of this area, and identify cost-effective and ecologically beneficial methods for improving water quality, such as reducing runoff coming from the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal or replacing portions of the Courtney Campbell Causeway with small bridges to allow more water flow into stagnant upper reaches of the bay.
The first major task, now underway, is development of an integrated ecosystem model to assess how nutrient inputs, hydrologic changes and alterations in water circulation are affecting this large segment of the bay. The model will also simulate responses to changes in those components, so managers can test various strategies for improvement in a virtual setting to assess which offer the most bang for the buck.
Possible management actions that will be evaluated include:
- Redirecting significant freshwater discharges to Old Tampa Bay, such as those stemming from the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal, Roosevelt Basin, Alligator Creek/Lake, and Channels A and G.
- Modifying operation of water-control structures in Channels A and G to alter hydrologic inputs to upper Old Tampa Bay;
- Adding culverts or bridge extensions to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, and/or the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges;
- Redirecting existing wastewater treatment plant discharges to reuse or other beneficial uses in the watershed;
- Assessing the effectiveness of non-structural BMPs, such as regional or state fertilizer ordinances, in the Old Tampa Bay watershed; and
- Implementing other BMPs, such as large-scale stormwater treatment areas in the Old Tampa Bay watershed.
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2012 Mini-Grant Projects Announced
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Restoration of native habitat is often a focus of mini-grant projects.
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The Tampa Bay Estuary Program recently awarded $81,000 to 21 community groups for projects that directly involve citizens in restoring and improving Tampa Bay. This year's Bay Mini-Grant program attracted 31 applicants. Members of the Estuary Program's Community Advisory Committee evaluated the grant proposals; grant requests were eligible for as little as $500 up to $5,000.
Funds for the Mini-Grant program come from sales of the Tampa Bay Estuary license plate - also known as the "Tarpon Tag."
Among the recipients:
The Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance (HRWA) will receive $5,000 to update an existing display at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa with information on frogs and toads as indicators of the health of the environment. Additionally, Zoo docents will be trained to identify frogs and toads by sound and sight and collect listening data for a national database.
Florida West Coast RC&D Council will receive $4,240 to conduct workshops at Gamble Creek Farm in Manatee County to educate farmers in Best Management Practices for water conservation, successful use of tailwater recovery, reclaimed water, micro-irrigation and hydroponics. Workshops will show science teachers how to incorporate sustainable agriculture methods into their curriculum.
Friends of Fort De Soto will receive $2,500 to work with a local Girl Scout to create a kiosk to highlight information about nesting shorebirds near the bird sanctuary on North Beach. The kiosk will contain photos taken by the Girl Scout as well as a "talk box" containing recordings of bird calls and additional information so visitors can learn the importance of protecting nesting and migrating bird habitats without disturbing them.
For a complete list of Bay Mini-Grant recipients, go to www.tbep.org/bayminigrants.html
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Upcoming 'Give A Day' Workdays
TBEP's Give A Day for the Bay community volunteer program continues its attack on invasive species in the Tampa Bay area.
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Volunteers remove Brazilian pepper from the shore near Gandy Boulevard.
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The December 3 Give A Day along Gandy Boulevard's shoreline at the east end of the Gandy Bridge was "one of the most successful we have ever had," according to volunteer coordinator Colleen Gray. Some 44 volunteers worked on both land and water to remove Brazilian pepper and Chinese tallow.
The City of Tampa and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful partnered with TBEP to clear some 7.5 acres of land. A highlight of the day was the discovery of an active honeycomb. Each volunteer took a chunk home as a souvenir!
2012 Give A Days:
January 21 Rye Preserve (Manatee County)
February 18 Little Manatee River State Park
(Hillsborough County)
March 17 Sawgrass Lake (Pinellas County)
April 7 Walsingham Reservoir (Pinellas County)
All programs take place in the morning and lunch is provided; for more information contact Colleen Gray at colleen@tbep.org.
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Top 'Give A Day' Volunteers Honored
Jasmine and Jeremy Leuschke of Tampa have been awarded the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award.
The couple was recognized November 5 at the Give A Day at Lake Seminole Park. They were presented with a beautiful clock in honor of the time they have spent volunteering for the program. The Leuschkes worked five out of six Give A Days last year.The couple believes in giving back to the community -- they also volunteer at the Tampa Bay Bike Co-op, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, and with the Florida Trail Association helping to maintain hiking trails.
"We really enjoy giving back and helping organizations that promote things we feel passionate about," says Jasmine. "We believe in protecting and preserving the natural environment that we live in and TBEP provides an easy way to make a difference since participating in Give A Day events is such a small way to make a really big impact."
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Enjoying the Partnership Picnic were, left to right, Dick Eckenrod, Dena Leavengood, Sally Thompson, Rob Brown and Missy Eckenrod. |
Partnership Picnic at Fort De Soto
Valued partners and colleagues from throughout TBEP's 20-year history reunited in October for a 20th Anniversary Partnership Picnic at Fort De Soto Park. Attendees were greeted by a memory storyboard depicting 20 years of milestone events, and several past and present TBEP Board and committee members gave brief remarks highlighting key accomplishments. TBEP staff thanks everyone who attended as we look forward to our next 20 years of working with the community to improve Tampa Bay! |
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TBEP on You Tube
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'Be Floridian: Winterizing Your Yard' |
Check out the first in our series of "Be Floridian" videos offering tips and demonstrations on how you can create healthy yards and gardens using eco-friendly principles. Our first segment, "Winterizing Your Yard," released last fall, features Tampa landscape designer Brian Schatz explaining how to get your landscape ready to weather winter without a hitch. |
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About the Tampa Bay Estuary Program
The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is an intergovernmental partnership dedicated to restoring and protecting Tampa Bay, Florida's largest open-water estuary. TBEP is one of 28 "Estuaries of National Significance" designated by Congress.
Our partners include Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties; the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater; the Southwest Florida Water Management District; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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