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The latest State of the Bay report is here, and it captures how extreme the past few years have been for Tampa Bay. From record-breaking drought in 2023 to widespread flooding during the 2024 hurricane season, the bay has weathered a lot. Even with these challenges, the bay showed some surprising signs of resilience.
The report looks at how the estuary handled these extremes and what the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is doing to prepare for what’s next. You'll find updates on local habitats, like seagrass, which grew in some areas but still struggled in others. It also explains how TBEP is improving aging infrastructure and planning for sea level rise and other changes tied to a warming world.
It’s not just science- community action plays a big role too. You can make a difference by cutting back on fertilizer, cleaning up trash, and getting involved in outdoor education and events.
If you want to understand the challenges Tampa Bay faces and what’s being done to protect it, this report is a great place to start.
Read the report
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Teach Tampa Bay
Did you know the Tampa Bay Estuary Program offers free educational resources for Florida teachers, students, and families?
With a new school year just around the corner, now’s a great time to bring a little bit of Tampa Bay into your classroom. We’ve got printable activity guides, coloring books, videos, and hands-on science lessons. Our resources are designed to help learners of all ages connect with the beauty and importance of Tampa Bay.
We’re also excited to share that we’re currently updating our website to make these materials easier to find and download. Plus, new Tampa Bay activity guides are on the way! Each guide includes learning objectives aligned with various state and national STEM educational standards and a list of materials to make planning simple. Check out Becoming a Seagrass Scientist - out now!
Are you an educator in Florida? We’d love to hear from you! If there’s a specific topic, format, or resource that would help you bring the bay into your classroom, email us at info@tbep.org.
Bonus Opportunity: Educators can also apply for Bay Mini-Grants to fund the creation of new classroom materials, hands-on projects, or field trips. These grants support innovative, locally focused environmental education, and your idea could be next! Learn more below.
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Mini Grants, Mega Impact
Have a great idea to bring Tampa Bay into your classroom? We want to help!
Bay Mini-Grants offer up to $5,000 to support community-led environmental restoration and education projects throughout the Tampa Bay watershed. Many past recipients have used these grants to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that bring Tampa Bay to their classrooms.
Estuary Ambassadors: Bringing Estuaries into Classrooms (2025)
Parrish Community High School
This project connects students with the Tampa Bay estuary through field trips, water quality testing, and classroom aquariums. A teacher toolkit developed through the program helps expand estuary education throughout Manatee County and beyond.
Enhancing Environmental Education and Research Through Stewardship (2024)
Manatee School for the Arts
This project immerses students in estuary science through kayaking, snorkeling, species identification, and microplastics research. Students explore real-world issues like red tide, invasive species, and water quality, building both scientific skills and stewardship values.
Autism Inspired Plants! (2023)
Autism Inspired Academy
Students grew and sold native plants while learning about invasive species, Florida ecology, and the power of environmental action. The program built academic, life, and social skills through gardening, plant sales, and community clean-ups.
Schools, nonprofits, businesses, and governments are eligible to apply for a grant. And they don’t have to be educational programs! Projects can be native gardens, films, kayak tours, and more.
Applications will be accepted until 5:00pm on September 10, 2025.
Learn more
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From Habitat to Headache?
In the 1960s, artificial reefs made of old tires were all the rage. Durable and abundant, tires seemed like the perfect building blocks to boost fish habitat and marine biodiversity. So, with the best intentions, thousands were bundled and deployed in Florida coastal waters.
But over time, the flaws in that plan became clear. Tires, it turns out, don’t always stay put. In storms, they can break loose and scatter, damaging nearby natural habitats like seagrass beds or existing reefs. They leach chemicals, degrade slowly, and can become marine debris instead of habitat.
The Tampa Bay Estuary Program has launched a new project to better understand the current condition of an underwater tire field within lower Tampa Bay. This initiative will help identify whether removal, restoration with more appropriate artificial reef materials, or a combination of both is the best path forward.
Researchers are using sonar mapping and dive surveys to determine what marine life is actually using the site and assessing the condition of the tires. These methods will help build a clearer picture of how the site functions now and what it could become in the future.
Ultimately, this project is about how we adapt, improve, and take responsibility for past choices made in managing our coastal ecosystems. By understanding what’s happening at the tire reef today, we can make informed decisions that protect the health of Tampa Bay for the future.
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Save the Date!
February 10-11, 2026
Gainesville, FL
We are excited to announce a new symposium dedicated to conservation social science in Florida! People and Nature: A symposium on conservation social science will bring together researchers across the state to showcase the variety of social science work happening in the region and foster new connections and partnerships to build a better future for people and nature.
Join us in Gainesville for 1.5 days packed with short presentations, workshops, and social events. Space will be limited, so mark your calendars now!
Learn more
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| | Photo by Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation | | |
Neighborhood Meets Nature
As Florida grows, so do the pressures on the natural lands that wildlife like the Florida panther and black bear depend on to survive. The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation’s Corridor Compatible Communities committee has been exploring how new neighborhoods can be designed in ways that support both people and nature.
With input from scientists, planners, and community leaders, the project team has drafted a set of guidelines for building in ways that protect biodiversity, support climate resilience, and maintain key wildlife connections. These recommendations include everything from using native plants and reclaimed water to designing roads with safe wildlife crossings.
Now they want to hear from you. The draft guidelines are open for public feedback, and your input will help strengthen and shape this important work. Whether you're a planner, homeowner, or simply care about Florida’s future, you’re invited to read the draft and share your thoughts. The more voices that are heard, the better these guidelines will be.
Corridor Compatible Communities Design Guidelines
Feedback Survey
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Save the Date for National Estuaries Week
Mark your calendars! National Estuaries Week is coming up September 20-27, 2025. We’re planning a lineup of fun, educational, and impactful events. While details are still coming together, we promise there will be something for everyone who loves Tampa Bay.
Plus, don’t miss our special event “A Toast to the Bay” where we have a big announcement about this year’s Tampa Bay Debris Derby!
This year’s celebration also comes at a pivotal time, as Congress considers reauthorizing the National Estuary Program through the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act. This legislation would continue support for estuary protection and restoration nationwide, including right here in Tampa Bay. We’re especially grateful to Representative Kathy Castor for co-sponsoring the bill and championing estuary health in our region. You can help keep this momentum going by contacting your elected officials and encouraging them to support the ESTUARIES Act.
We can’t wait to see you there!
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Save Water, Save Money
Did you know that nearly half of household water use in Florida goes to watering lawns? Inefficient irrigation systems can waste thousands of gallons and inflate your utility bill. Now, Tampa Water Department customers have a chance to save both water and money through a new rebate pilot program.
By upgrading your sprinkler system with water-smart fixes like rain sensors, high-efficiency nozzles, or capping unnecessary irrigation heads, you can reduce water waste without sacrificing a healthy, green lawn. The program offers a minimum $50 rebate depending on the improvements you make.
Learn more
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Celebrate Labor Day the Tampa Bay Way
With Labor Day weekend just around the corner, many of us are gearing up to enjoy the beauty of Tampa Bay by boat. Whether you’re out fishing, cruising, or simply relaxing on the water, it’s important to keep safety and stewardship top of mind.
Protecting our fragile seagrass beds means boating responsibly. Avoid shallow areas where your propeller can cause damage and follow marked channels whenever possible. Manatees are especially active this time of year, so keep a lookout and slow down in designated zones to avoid disturbing or injuring them.
Trash and pollution are major threats to Tampa Bay’s health. Please make sure nothing ends up in the water. Pack out what you pack in, secure your gear, and if you see debris floating, consider picking it up to help keep our waters clean.
A little preparation goes a long way toward making this holiday weekend fun for all. For more tips and resources, check out the Explore Tampa Bay guide.
Stay safe, respectful, and enjoy the water!
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Staff Media Recommendation
We recommend Path of the Panther for anyone who cares about Florida’s wildlife and the environment. This documentary follows the Florida panther’s journey through the Everglades with beautiful footage and important stories about the challenges these animals face.
Grab some popcorn, invite family or friends, and give it a watch. Streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu!
Learn more
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Back to School Cleanup Bash | Aug 1
This family-friendly cleanup is a great way for students, families, corporate teams, and community groups to make a difference through hands-on environmental stewardship.
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Great Bay Scallop Search | Aug 2
Join this annual citizen science event where volunteers snorkel to survey bay scallop populations, helping scientists monitor water quality and habitat health.
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Pints of Science | Aug 13
Hear from three area scientists (including our own Dr. Blake Simmons!) about The Paris Agreement, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and Communicating Climate Change.
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40 Years of Stewardship | Sep 5
Celebrate 40 years of coastal stewardship by the Agency on Bay and Coastal Management at Tampa Bay Watch, hosted by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.
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2025 FNPS Photo Contest | Sep 15
Celebrate the beauty and importance of Florida’s native plants by sharing your best photos in Florida Native Plant Society’s inaugural photo contest.
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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.
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