Tampa Bay Watch & Scotts Miracle-Gro announced a new, unique partnership in their shared goal to restore and preserve wetlands in and around Tampa Bay. Through their Bay Grasses in Classes program (BGIC), Tampa Bay Watch will join forces with Scotts Miracle-Gro to help the bay recover from environmental degradation while also educating bay-area youth. As part of a new education and environmental research initiative, Scotts Miracle-Gro will participate in company volunteer days and donate $25,000 to the BGIC program.
Peter Clark (pictured right), Tampa Bay Watch founder/President says “We are honored that Scotts Miracle-Gro has invested in the program in such a significant way.”
Twenty years ago, Tampa Bay Watch initiated a coastal wetland nursery program to help the bay recover and restore its natural ecosystem, while simultaneously providing an educational opportunity to the next generation of the bay’s stewards – middle and high school students. The BGIC program allows students to grow Spartina alterniflora wetland nurseries, commonly known as saltmarsh, at their schools. The students then monitor and maintain the nurseries while learning about everything from salinity to pH levels and gaining valuable hands-on experience in habitat restoration activities. Once the nurseries reach maturity (about six to eight months) they serve as a source of native wetland plants that can be used in habitat restoration projects that bring students out of the classroom to harvest and plant saltmarsh.
“The Bay Grasses in Classes program is the perfect example of scientific research and education at work to restore and protect our environment,” said Chris Allen, Scotts Miracle-Gro South Region President. “As a company that prides itself on research and innovation, Scotts Miracle-Gro couldn’t be more excited to partner with Tampa Bay Watch and participate in this innovative program.”
As Floridians continue to focus on water quality issues, programs and initiatives like those from Tampa Bay Watch and Scotts Miracle-Gro provide the public with an opportunity to take an active role in environmental restoration and education in the Sunshine State.
“Saltmarsh plants filter storm water runoff, serve as a link in the marine food web, stabilize shorelines and buffer uplands from storms,” said Clark. “The value of these small plants can be easy to overlook, but through our education and restoration programs, made possible by funding from partners like Scotts Miracle-Gro, we’re working to ensure people know the importance of these grasses to our ecosystem – and take action by restoring them.”
The Tampa Bay restoration efforts are part of a larger philosophy at Scotts Miracle-Gro and a keystone of their new environmental research and education initiative focused on water quantity and quality. In key areas, Scotts Miracle-Gro is investing in scientific research and unique educational programs to help identify potential solutions to water and environmental challenges.
The partnership between Tampa Bay Watch and Scotts Miracle-Gro will continue throughout this year with company volunteer days that will enable Tampa Bay-area Scotts Miracle-Gro employees to plant saltmarsh at restoration sites around Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Watch: visit www.tampabaywatch.org, or call 727-867-8166.
ScottsMiracle-Gro: visitwww.scotts.com.