May 2025 Newsletter

With the rainy season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to recognize Stormwater Stewardship Month and take simple, meaningful steps to protect our waterways. Did you know that most rainwater flows untreated into our rivers and bays, carrying things like fertilizer, trash, and pet waste along for the ride? That’s where YOU come in. There are simple actions everyone can take to reduce pollution in stormwater and keep our bay healthier!

Skip the summer fertilizer: Summer rains don’t water fertilizer in, they wash it off our lawns and into the bay. Excess nitrogen fuels harmful algae blooms that kill marine life and cloud our waters. Do your part and always follow your local fertilizing ordinances.
Scoop the poop: Leaving pet waste behind allows bacteria and nutrients to wash into local waterways. This contamination can make our water unsafe for swimming and contribute to algal blooms.
Spread the word: The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has created easy-to-share social media content. Share our posts or create your own to raise awareness and encourage your community to take action.
Sign the pledge: Commit to simple actions that have a big impact. Review the responsibilities of a Stormwater Steward and make your pledge today!

Stormwater Stewardship Month is a reminder that we all share the responsibility of caring for the quality of our environment and communities. Small, consistent efforts by individuals across the region can lead to cleaner water, healthier wildlife, and safer recreation areas for everyone.

Big Impact, Mini Grant

Have a great idea for a habitat restoration or environmental education project? A Bay Mini-Grant could help you bring it to life. Apply this summer!

Projects must benefit the Tampa Bay watershed and support one of the goals of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. A wide range of groups are eligible, including businesses, nonprofits, schools, and neighborhood associations.

Let’s make your idea happen! Visit TBEP’s website to learn more and sign up for an upcoming webinar to get tips on crafting a strong application. Not sure if your idea is a good fit? Contact Jessica Lewis at jlewis@tbep.org for honest feedback and helpful guidance.

Apply by September 10, 2025.

The Healing Power of Nature

May is here, and with it comes Mental Health Awareness Month. According to the Tampa Bay Community Survey, 17% of Tampa Bay residents are showing strong symptoms of eco-anxiety - that’s one out of every six people! This emotion stems from our worries about the environment and the impacts of climate change. As our planet faces more intense environmental challenges, these emotions are becoming increasingly common around the world.

Think you might be experiencing signs of eco-anxiety? Studies have shown that spending more time in nature can increase our mental health and well-being, especially when that time is shared with friends and family. Outdoor volunteer opportunities through TBEP and our partners can help people feel more connected to nature and each other. They can also help people find a greater sense of purpose or meaning through action. These experiences allow people to work together for a common cause, building hope and reducing anxiety.

As we come together this Mental Health Awareness Month, let's support each other in managing feelings of eco-anxiety and take proactive steps to safeguard the natural spaces that mean so much to all of us. Through collective action, we can transform worry into tangible solutions that protect our environment and our mental health.

Scroll down for a list of volunteer events in the watershed!

Disaster Recovery Funds

Local counties in the Tampa Bay watershed have been awarded Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery in response to damage from last fall’s storms. These funds are meant to support long-term recovery and resilience, and community input is key. Click the link below for your county and share your thoughts on how the money should be spent. Your voice matters!

Recognizing Sid Flannery

On April 16, 2025, Sid Flannery was honored with the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award. This annual award, established in 2017, recognizes individuals or groups who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the long-term preservation of Hillsborough County’s natural resources.

Flannery, a veteran environmental scientist and restoration ecologist, was nominated by the Sierra Club for decades of work in ecological restoration, habitat protection, and environmental advocacy across the region. Flannery’s efforts have been instrumental in safeguarding local rivers, wetlands, and estuarine systems, especially the Hillsborough, Alafia, and Little Manatee Rivers.

In his acceptance speech, Flannery encouraged continued cooperation among public, private, and governmental sectors to ensure the protection of Hillsborough County’s unique and irreplaceable natural habitats for future generations.

Congratulations, Sid!

Rising Tide Podcast

Looking for something new to listen to on your daily drive? Check out the Rising Tides Podcast and discover how scientists use the latest technologies to uncover mysteries of the ocean. Featuring world-class researchers from the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, this podcast covers topics from space to the seafloor, including satellites, submersible robots, and other innovative tools in the field of oceanography. The next episode will investigate science technology with the ROV Taurus and drops May 7th!

Listen on Spotify or wherever you get podcasts

Walk the Watershed: John Chestnut Park | May 6

In celebration of stormwater stewardship month, join Pinellas County and UF-IFAS Extension Pinellas County for "Walk the Watershed" at John Chestnut Park! This program will be a combined environmental educational program and guided hike.

Walk the Watershed Webinar | May 7

This webinar will follow the flow of rainwater from the sky to the ground, and from the ground to the bay (or elsewhere) to see where our water goes through the lens of what we call “stormwater”.

Walk the Watershed: Lake Seminole Park | May 8

In celebration of stormwater stewardship month, join Pinellas County and UF-IFAS Extension Pinellas County for "Walk the Watershed" at Lake Seminole Park! This program will be a combined environmental educational program and guided hike.

Walk the Watershed: Eagle Lake Park | May 8

Drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to meet the district team and learn about the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's programs.

MESA Day | May 10

MESA’s ultimate engineering showdown, where teams showcase and compete with innovative technical prototypes to build a sustainable future for their community.

Pints of Science | May 14

Hear from three area scientists about Florida’s water quality, composting, and Clostridium’s effects on neurotransmitter levels.

Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Summit | May 15-16

This event brings together leaders, experts, and community members to explore strategies for building resilience in our region.

Oyster Reef Ball Installation at Fantasy Island | May 15-16

This effort will help restore lost habitat by promoting new oyster growth, ultimately improving water quality and providing food sources and habitat for many species.

Lakes & Ponds Education Day | May 17

This free workshop is intended for anyone interested in the health and management of our water resources and green spaces. There will be special focus on maintaining and managing stormwater ponds.

Walk the Watershed Webinar | May 20

This webinar will follow the flow of rainwater from the sky to the ground, and from the ground to the bay (or elsewhere) to see where our water goes through the lens of what we call “stormwater”.

Oyster Rag Pot Shin Dig | May 22

Come enjoy fresh local seafood, live bluegrass music, and oyster rag pot assembly. All proceeds of the Shin Dig benefit active restoration projects in the Manatee River and beyond.

Family Fun Friday: Watershed Explorations | May 23

This program will be a combined environmental educational program and guided hike. Intended for families with children ages 7 and up. Registration is required.

2026 Bay Mini-Grant Webinar and Q&A | May 27

Tampa Bay Estuary Program staff will provide information and tips for submitting a strong application, followed by an audience Q&A.

Building a More Resilient Future: Community Conversations | May 28

Engage in conversations to identify innovative ways to prepare for the 2025 hurricane season and strengthen community relationships.

Give-A-Day for the Bay: Bishop Harbor | Jun 14

Join us for a paddle cleanup in Bishop Harbor. Volunteers can bring their own vessel or borrow one from Desoto Kayak Tours for FREE.

Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience - Apply by May 21

2026 Stormwater Outreach & Education Funding - Apply by July 15

Bay Mini-Grants - Apply by September 10

Conservation Advocate - Environment Florida - St. Petersburg

Environmental Manager - Hillsborough County - Tampa

Environmental Specialist - Pinellas County - Clearwater

Stormwater Operations Director - Pinellas County - Clearwater

Water Resources Project Manager - Polk County - Bartow

Environmental Compliance Worker - Polk County - Winter Haven

Open Science Subcommittee - May 28, 2025

Technical Advisory Committee - June 4, 2025

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.