June 2024 Newsletter

Rainy season is upon us! That means it’s time to truly Be Floridian and skip fertilizing your lawn this summer. Fertilizer washes off lawns into our waterways, causing algae blooms and killing fish. Use the time you usually devote to yard work and go to the beach, go fishing, or just relax!

Worried about what your neighbors will think of your unfertilized lawn? Don’t be! We have resources to help you create a beautiful, Florida-friendly™ yard (that won’t get you in trouble with your HOA).

Nonprofits, businesses, and schools could also consider applying for a Bay Mini-Grant to install a rain garden, plant native plants or remove invasive plants, or educate your community on issues in our watershed. Check out the Grants section below for more information.

Congratulations to our Champion of the Bay, Harry Cunningham III! Harry has given countless hours of his own time volunteering to help restore Tampa Bay. A regular at our Give-A-Day for the Bay events, he is always game to haul tractors and trailers so volunteers can reach difficult to access land. His passion and commitment to protecting Tampa Bay has left a lasting impression on all that know him. Thank you, Harry, for everything you do!

The results are in and the 2023 Golden Mangrove Award Winner is Stewards of Our Urban Lakes! This award recognizes the most outstanding Bay Mini-Grant project from each year. Stewards of Our Urban Lakes was selected by the TBEP Community Advisory Committee for their work removing invasives and planting native species at Mirror Lake Park.

For the fourth year in a row, the Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament has supported our work. They’ve donated a total of $100,000 to restore oyster habitat and expand artificial reefs in the Tampa Bay region! We’re so grateful for their continued support and partnership.

Learn more about the Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament

The first week of June is National Fishing and Boating Week. Make sure you’re seagrass safe while on the water!

When you drive a boat into shallow water, the propeller can leave a deep cut in the seagrass bed. This causes a seagrass scar. Regrowth of seagrasses within scarred areas can take many years. Deep scars can even lead to erosion, exposing roots and causing the scar to expand. Popular boating destinations near Fort DeSoto and Terra Ceia Bay have the heaviest seagrass scarring in Tampa Bay (TBEP Technical Publication 14-22).

What can you do to be seagrass safe?

AVOID: Whenever possible, avoid seagrass beds and stay in channels or deeper water while under power.

TRIM: If going over seagrass beds in shallow water, be sure to trim your motor up and idle to a safe depth before getting on plane.

PUSH: If you run aground, turn off and trim up your motor, and push the boat to a safe depth.

More info: https://beseagrasssafe.com/

Did you know many shorebirds lay their eggs right on the sand? That sounds much easier than building a nest, but it also makes them vulnerable to someone else who loves the beach- us! Keep beaches safe for birds this summer by giving them at least 100 feet of space to nest and rest.

It’s not just the birds! Sea turtles also need our help to keep their nests safe. Follow nesting season beach etiquette to protect precious nesting habitat for endangered turtle populations. Make it a game at the end of the day to see how many sand castles you can knock down on the beach!

Great American Cleanup | March 1 - June 30

Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful at cleanup events to remove litter and beautify locations throughout Pinellas County.

Sea Turtle Conservation | June 2

Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful at Moccasin Lake Park to learn all about sea turtles that live right here in Pinellas County!

Give-A-Day for the Bay: Bishop Harbor | June 8

Celebrate World Oceans Day with a paddle cleanup in Bishop Harbor! Volunteers must bring their own vessel (kayak, paddleboard, shallow draft boat). Registration closes June 5th.

World Oceans Day Celebration | June 8

Come celebrate World Oceans Day by meeting local organizations working hard to protect our oceans and learn how YOU can help!

Mirror Lake Cleanup | June 8

Help keep your city beautiful with a cleanup event at Mirror Lake in St. Petersburg. Registration required.

Trees and Succession Planting | June 8

Learn more about strategizing tree placement and the step-by-step process of proper planting by a certified arborist and Master Gardener Volunteer Joe Gross.

Bay Mini-Grant Webinar and Q&A | June 11

Join TBEP staff for a webinar on Bay Mini-Grant applications, including tips for submitting a strong application.

Backyard Composting (Virtual) | June 12

Learn to turn trash into treasure! Hillsborough County residents/employees will receive a compost bin, compost bucket and thermometer after attending the workshop.

High Point Garden Planting | June 15

Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful for a fun morning of native landscaping at the High Point Neighborhood Family Center. All ages are encouraged to join!

Juneteenth Pints of Science & Vendor Fair | June 18

Enjoy an evening of Black culture, history, and a community expert panel that will provide quick sessions on Art, History, and Healthcare!

Groundbreaking Groundcovers (Virtual) | June 19

Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County to learn about the wide array of groundcover options available for Florida landscapes.

Birds of Prey | June 22

Come see live birds of prey and learn about these fascinating creatures at Brooker Creek Preserve! No registration required.

Alternative Water Supply Grants - Apply by June 30

Wetlands Restoration and Protection Grants - Apply by June 30

Innovative Technology for Harmful Algal Blooms Grants - Apply by June 30

Nonpoint Source Management Grants - Apply by June 30

Building Partner Capacity, Promoting Resiliency and Equity under Clean Water Act - Apply by July 17

Bay Mini-Grants - Apply by September 13

Community Change Grants - Apply by November 21

Parks and Trails Superintendent - Pasco County - Land O’Lakes

Solid Waste Program Assistant - Pinellas County - St. Petersburg

Stormwater Engineer - Pinellas County - Clearwater

Environmental Lands Management Technician - Hillsborough County - Brandon

Environmental Program Manager - Manatee County - Bradenton

Engineer III, Stormwater - Pasco County - New Port Richey

Technical Advisory Committee - June 26, 2024

Community Advisory Committee - June 26, 2024

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.