2025 is flying by- who can believe it’s already March? Before we get too far into the year, let’s reflect on all the great work done in 2024. The four Gulf Coast National Estuary Programs (NEPs) made incredible strides in protecting and restoring our estuaries last year! Between projects and events, almost 12,000 pounds of debris was removed and over 70,000 acres of habitat was restored. For those visual readers, that’s the size of the entire city of St. Petersburg!

From research to restoration, NEPs bring together local stakeholders and the community to develop solutions, fund vital projects, and educate residents. And we couldn’t do it without you! The 4,745 volunteer hours in 2024 were vital to our success. People like you help us by participating in restoration events, thinking up new grant ideas, and sharing your love of the estuary with your community.



Help us achieve even greater numbers in 2025 by volunteering, applying for a grant, or letting your legislators know how important it is to continue funding our National Estuary Programs!

Volunteer

Apply for a Grant

Apply by Tomorrow!

Last call for proposals for the 2025 Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund! 

Preference will be given to proposals that align with the following priorities:

• Restore native habitats to help meet 2030 targets adopted in the Habitat Master Plan (forested freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, coastal uplands, living shorelines, and tidal tributaries).
• Reduce the occurrence of sanitary sewer overflows to the bay by investing in system-wide emergency response action plans, backup power, increased treatment capacity and quality, and/or equipment resiliency improvements.
• Conduct monitoring to categorize biological communities associated with various hard bottom habitats within Tampa Bay.
• Assess the effectiveness, functionality, and cumulative effects of mitigation and restoration projects within the watershed.
• Provide opportunities for direct involvement in community-based oyster reef restoration in the Manatee River and in the Old Tampa Bay segment, especially among demographics that are less engaged with regional conservation or restoration efforts.

Complete applications are due March 12, 2025.

More info

Hack the Bay!

Our first ever hackathon was a success! Five teams spent the day building workflows to track and report on indicators of bay health. Congratulations to our winning team, Drummond Carpenter, PLLC, who developed a synthesis workflow for invasive species. They’re now working with us to fully develop the tool—stay tuned for its launch on our website later this year! Thanks to everyone who joined us for this fun event!

Spring Forward

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers for the beginning of daylight saving time.

Sunday, March 9 is when we turned our clocks ahead one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that the systems operate consistently with year-round water conservation measures.

Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don’t water just because it’s your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stressed grass:

• Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard.
• Grass blades appear blue-gray.
• Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.

The Tampa Bay Community Network is recruiting participants for a FREE Video Production Training Program. This program offers a unique opportunity to receive training in video production and environmental literacy. Eight participants will be selected for the program.

Who should apply:

• Aspiring Communications Professionals: Individuals who want to pursue a career in video production or digital storytelling, with no or very little prior experience with environmental subject matter.
• Environmental Enthusiasts: Individuals who have a history of environmental advocacy or education that want to leverage their passion for conservation into meaningful digital storytelling, but have no video production experience.

Requirements to participate:

• Commit to attending 25 four-hour classes and field trips (both in-studio in Tampa and on-location around Tampa Bay) between April and December 2025
• Have a strong desire to use video as a storytelling tactic
• Create a video as a capstone of the program
• Reside in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, or Pinellas Counties
• Have no formal video production experience
• Be at least 18 years old

Apply by March 15

Hillsborough County Hiking Spree | Dec 1 - Apr 30

The Hillsborough County Hiking Spree is back for its 9th year! Complete eight trails and earn cool prizes!

Great American Cleanup | Mar 1-Mar 31

Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful for the Great American Cleanup. There are lots of locations and dates, so find the one that works best for you!

Meadowlawn Lake Cleanup | Mar 15

Join Stewards of Our Urban Lakes and Keep Pinellas Beautiful for a monthly cleanup at Mirror Lake in St. Petersburg.

Oyster Bay Filling | Mar 18

Pinellas County will be installing the next phase of the living shoreline enhancement at Philippe Park in April and they need volunteers to help fill oyster bags.

Oyster Bay Filling | Mar 20

Pinellas County will be installing the next phase of the living shoreline enhancement at Philippe Park in April and they need volunteers to help fill oyster bags.

Oyster Bay Filling | Mar 22

Pinellas County will be installing the next phase of the living shoreline enhancement at Philippe Park in April and they need volunteers to help fill oyster bags.

Earth Day Poster Contest | Mar 28

DEP invites students in grades 4-12 to participate in the 2025 Earth Day Poster Contest by creating artwork that reflects this year’s theme: “Protect & Preserve Florida's Living Waters.” 

Boyd Hill Freshwater Wetland Trek and Chat | Mar 29

Join TBEP, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the City of St. Pete for a guided hike to learn about the freshwater wetland restoration project at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.

Great Port Cleanup | April 11

Join us for the Great Port Clean Up, one of the largest clean up events in Tampa Bay!

Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund - Proposals due by March 12

Gulf Ecosystem Initiative - Proposals due by March 14

Habitat Master Plan Implementation - Oyster Restoration - Proposals due by April 4

2025 Pollution Recovery Funds - Apply by April 18

Environmental Scientist Supervisor - South Florida Water Management District - Various

Utilities Director - Pasco County - Land O’ Lakes

Environmental Lands Management Specialist - Hillsborough County - Tampa



Natural Resources Project Manager - Manatee County - Bradenton