By Nanette Wiser
FLOCK FUN
Indian Shores’ Seaside Bird Sanctuary helps rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife. Their avian ambassadors are out and about and they are now hosting painting events monthly. On 8/5-8/6, connect with the educators and birds at DTSP’s Vintage Marche or at Tampa Bay History Center 9/21 for a look at the “Etched Feathers” exhibit, a talk by artist John Costin and up close and personal with feathered friends. You can also enjoy the bird painting classes at Seaside 8/11 and 9/9 hosted on their observation tower. Folks are led step-by-step through the painting process by local artist Shawn Dell Joyce as they craft beautiful birds and meet some of our permanent residents. Snacks and light refreshments provided as well as all art supplies. Sign up in advance. seasideseabirdsanctuary.org
ECKERD COLLEGE
Twenty solar-powered, motion-activated cameras inside Fort De Soto Park are unveiling the world of Florida wildlife after dark, thanks to Eckerd faculty and student researchers funded by Eckerd’s First-Year Student Research Associateships and a grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. Students collect the images and categorize them for public viewing. Now in its second year, the project is using camera traps to understand faunal biodiversity and distribution at Fort De Soto Park. Beth Forys, Ph.D. (Eckerd College’s Richard R. Hallin Professor in Natural Sciences) and Tim Bransford, Ph.D. (assistant professor of animal studies at Eckerd) began the project to learn what kind of wildlife lives at the county-owned, 1,136-acre park and how it can be protected. The cameras have captured an array of wildlife – including raccoons, armadillos, opossums, tortoises, rabbits, herons, river otters and sea turtles. The Estuary Program recently selected the project as the winner of its Golden Mangrove Award. This year there were 13 eligible projects, including those submitted by the University of Florida and Tampa Bay Watch.
AWW, SHUCKS!
Tampa Bay Watch’s eco-friendly partnership with Oystercatchers and Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay recycles their oyster shells in a game-changer project to keep Tampa Bay clean and healthy. They have installed 30 Vertical Oyster Gardens at the dock off Oystercatchers restaurant. These unique oyster havens, made from recycled oyster shells, serve as habitats for young oysters, support local biodiversity, and help clean the bay!