Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Region (Polk, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties)

Hillsborough County Conservation (Tampa, Plant City, Riverview, Brandon)

Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP)

  • Cities Involved: Tampa, Riverview, Apollo Beach.

  • Goal: Protect and restore the Tampa Bay Estuary, critical for marine life and water quality.

  • Projects:

    • Seagrass Restoration: Over 40,000 acres restored to support fish nurseries and water clarity.

    • Oyster Reef Building: Enhances water filtration and marine habitats near Apollo Beach.

    • Pollution Reduction: Focused on reducing urban and agricultural runoff.

Land Conservation

  • Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP): Protects natural areas like:

    • Cockroach Bay Preserve (Ruskin): Coastal restoration site with mangroves and salt marshes.

    • Lower Green Swamp Preserve (Plant City): Key wetlands supporting aquifer recharge and biodiversity.

Rivers and Wetlands

  • Restoration projects focus on the Alafia River and Hillsborough River, vital for ecosystems and urban water supplies.

Pinellas County Conservation (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin)

Coastal Habitat Protection

  • Cities Involved: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin.

  • Key Areas:

    • Weedon Island Preserve (St. Petersburg): Protects mangroves, salt marshes, and uplands.

    • Brooker Creek Preserve (Tarpon Springs): The largest natural area in Pinellas County, critical for water conservation.

    • Fred Howard Park (Tarpon Springs): Focuses on beach restoration and shorebird protection.

Urban Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Largo, St. Petersburg.

  • Initiatives like urban green spaces (e.g., Boyd Hill Nature Preserve) reduce stormwater runoff and protect Tampa Bay.

Manatee County Conservation (Bradenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria Island)

Key Conservation Areas

  • Cities Involved: Bradenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria Island.

  • Robinson Preserve (Bradenton): A restored coastal wetland with habitats for fish, birds, and mangroves.

  • Emerson Point Preserve (Palmetto): Coastal mangrove and upland restoration to improve water quality and educate the public.

Marine Conservation

  • Anna Maria Island:

    • A critical nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles.

    • Beach restoration projects protect coastal ecosystems and combat erosion.

Manatee River Watershed

  • Projects focus on restoring wetlands along the river to improve water quality and wildlife habitats.

Sarasota County Conservation (Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Siesta Key)

Key Conservation Areas

  • Cities Involved: Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Siesta Key.

  • Myakka River State Park (Sarasota/North Port): Protects prairies, wetlands, and floodplains along the Myakka River.

  • Celery Fields (Sarasota): A stormwater treatment area turned birding hotspot that supports water filtration and wildlife.

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

  • Cities Involved: Sarasota, Venice.

  • Focused on:

    • Seagrass recovery.

    • Mangrove planting for shoreline stabilization.

    • Reducing nutrient pollution in Sarasota Bay.

Barrier Island Conservation

  • Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key: Coastal restoration to combat erosion and protect sea turtle nesting habitats.

Polk County Conservation (Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City)

Land Conservation and Wildlife Corridors

  • Cities Involved: Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City.

  • Circle B Bar Reserve (Lakeland): A former cattle ranch transformed into a wildlife preserve with freshwater marshes and trails. It’s a key site for birdwatching and environmental education.

  • Lake Hancock Outfall Project: Near Bartow, this project restores wetlands critical for water filtration and flood control.

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

  • Encompasses parts of Polk County and is a key recharge area for the Floridan Aquifer, supplying water to much of Florida.

  • Conservation efforts focus on preserving wetlands, hardwood forests, and wildlife habitats for species like gopher tortoises and bald eagles.

Water Conservation in the Chain of Lakes

  • Cities Involved: Winter Haven, Haines City.

  • Projects include restoring water quality in the interconnected lakes and surrounding wetlands.

Regional Key Conservation Initiatives

Tampa Bay Watch

  • Cities Involved: St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota.

  • A nonprofit organization leading restoration efforts like oyster reef building, salt marsh planting, and environmental education.

Florida Wildlife Corridor

  • Counties Involved: Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk.

  • Focuses on connecting natural habitats across Central and Southwest Florida to support wildlife like Florida panthers, black bears, and bobcats.

Manatee and Sea Turtle Protection

  • Coastal cities such as Clearwater, Anna Maria Island, and Sarasota are critical nesting and habitat areas for sea turtles and manatees.

Challenges and Future Goals

  • Urban Growth: Managing development pressures in rapidly growing cities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, and Sarasota.

  • Water Quality: Reducing nutrient pollution, stormwater runoff, and algal blooms in rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

  • Climate Change: Preparing for sea level rise, coastal erosion, and storm intensification across coastal and inland cities.

  • Invasive Species: Controlling invasive plants (e.g., Brazilian pepper) and aquatic species (e.g., lionfish) across all counties.