Happy Holidays from TBEP!



As 2025 draws to a close, we are reflecting on the inspiring work that our community has collectively accomplished this year. Some highlights include that we’ve made steady progress on a Reasonable Assurance Plan with the Nitrogen Management Consortium and have improved the Action Plan Database, which tracks nitrogen load reduction projects. We’ve added 278 acres of habitat in the watershed after 66 restoration projects were completed. And, our community came together to remove an impressive 17.6 tons (!) of trash from the watershed.

We are grateful for the continued support of our partners, donors, and volunteers, who, by the way, donated over $490,000 worth of their time to improving Tampa Bay this year. Thank you to everyone who joins us in our work to conserve and restore the watershed. From our TBEP family to yours, happy holidays and warm wishes for a fruitful new year.

3rd Annual Tampa Bay Debris Derby Delivers Big

Saturday, December 6 turned out to be a beautiful day across the bay. Not only was the weather great, but the third annual Tampa Bay Debris Derby was held at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin. A total of 32 teams competed to remove trash and debris from around the watershed, making the bay better for wildlife and people. In thanks for their hard work, teams could win impressive, sponsor-donated prizes—like a Bote paddleboard or an eight foot Power-pole anchor.

There were some very interesting items collected from around the bay, including a tractor tire, oyster-covered plastic chair, and a bejeweled cane, which was the winner of the “Strangest Item” award. The 2025 "Debris Derby Heavyweight Champion" award went to team Tarpon who collected 786 pounds of trash. In all, derby participants collected over 7,000 pounds of debris and trash. The 30 yard dumpster was practically overflowing!

Thank you to everyone who helped to improve the health of the bay during the derby. And a special thank you to the businesses and organizations that joined TBEP to organize this event—Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, Power-Pole, Ocean Aid 360, Skinny Water Culture—and to the local businesses that sponsored by donating food and shirts—La Segunda and HH Insurance. The derby would not have been a success without you!

Congratulations to the 2026 Bay Mini-Grant Recipients!

Get your shovels ready! The 2026 Bay Mini-Grants have been awarded. This year, TBEP awarded both a record number of projects—27—and funding—$130,000. “We’re delighted to support so many projects this year,” said TBEP Executive Director Ed Sherwood. “But we’re especially proud to be able to award grants to projects from communities we haven’t worked with before”. The geographical expansion in projects follows targeted outreach from TBEP staff and its Community Advisory Committee. That outreach paid off when TBEP received a record number of applications, including those from new-to-the-program communities in distant parts of the watershed. “We’ve awarded at least one project in every county draining to Tampa Bay this year,” said Sherwood. “We look forward to continuing to inspire new applicants in coming years.”

Projects will start on January 1 and be completed by December 31, 2026. Find a list of the 2026 Bay Mini-Grant recipients below. You can learn more about the program on our website.

Coming Soon - TBERF Request for Proposals!

Is your organization’s New Year’s resolution to protect, restore, or enhance the natural resources of Tampa Bay? Then mark your calendar! The 2026 Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund (TBERF) Request for Proposals (RFP) will open on January 7, 2026.  Complete proposals are due by 5:00 PM on March 25, 2026.

Approximately $750,000 will be made available to support projects that protect, restore, or enhance the natural resources of Tampa Bay and its contributing watershed. Projects must address priorities from the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. A funding match is required. Awards typically range between $25,000 and $250,000.  An informational webinar for potential applicants will be held on February 4 from 11 AM to 12 PM.

If you’d like to be added to the TBERF email announcement list, reach out to Jessica Lewis.

St. Petersburg Seawall Master Plan

The City of St. Petersburg is developing a master plan for its 580,000 linear feet of seawalls. Residents are encouraged to learn more about green infrastructure alternatives to seawalls and provide input via the City’s survey.



CERF's New Mentor Program

CERF is launching a mentorship program. You can sign-up to be a mentor or a mentee. CERF has received high demand from prospective mentees and is seeking additional mentors to help support colleagues in coastal and estuarine science careers. You can learn more about the program and sign up on CERF’s website.

Media Recommendation

Thirsty for deets on Tampa Bay’s water supply? In this Tampa Bay Developer podcast, Warren Hogg and Amelia Brown discuss the past, present, and future of Tampa’s water supply, including how we can prevent a water shortage.

Hillsborough County Hiking Spree | Nov 1 - Mar 31

The 10th annual hiking spree has begun! Get out and hike at least eight trails in Hillsborough County to participate and earn rewards.

Give-A-Day for the Bay: Oyster Rag Pot Installation | Dec 20

SOLD OUT! Make lasting memories this holiday season by helping to create an oyster reef in the Manatee River to enhance local oyster habitat and promote coastal resilience.

Honeymoon Island Cleanup | Jan 13

Join Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves by volunteering to clean up Honeymoon Island.

Pints of Science | Jan 14

Join TBEP Restoration Ecologist Kerry Flaherty Walia and two other scientists for a night of learning about microplastics in Tampa Bay, nature-derived medicines, and, from Walia, where the teenage fish hangout. It is sure to be an insightful evening!

Florida State Fish Art Contest | Feb 28

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, 2026.

Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund - Open from Jan 7 to Mar 25,

Community Ambassador - Tampa Bay Estuary Program - St. Petersburg

Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador - NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries - Virtual

Roots & Shoots Tampa Bay Area Basecamp Coordinator - Jane Goodall Institute - Remote in the Tampa Bay area

SIMM Program Coordinator - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - St. Petersburg 

Executive Administrative Strategist - Tampa Bay Water - Clearwater