ECO By Peter Roos
TAMPA BAY WATCH | www.tampabaywatch.org
3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde | 727-867-8166
Join Tampa Bay Watch for our new and exciting Estuary EDventures Spring Break Day Camp: March 15-19!
Our Spring Break Camp includes a single day of hands-on marine science labs, animal encounters, estuary exploration, and sea-themed crafts and games! Each day runs from 9am-4pm and offers a different theme to keep the week exciting. Looking forward to seeing you over spring break! Camp price is $65/day and there are 14 spots available each day for children ages 6-10. Registration is on the website.
2020 Program Results: Monofilament Recycling
Despite 2020 being a difficult year, our monofilament recycling program had great results since it can be accomplished with single volunteers. Tampa Bay Watch maintained 208 monotubes (monofilament recycling stations) at 75 docks, piers, and parks around the bay. A total of 59 volunteers recovered 826 miles of fishing line in 2020 to prevent the entanglement of animals!
Creature Feature: Giant Red Hermit Crab
The giant red hermit crab is the largest species of hermit crab in North America and is found here in Tampa Bay! Its main body can reach up to around 30 cm long with large, crushing claws. Its body is bright rusty red with textured bumps and knobs, and it has long red and white striped antennae. Antennae are used as feelers allowing the hermit crab to sense its surroundings. Source: www.gulfspecimen.org; www.rookerybay.org; www.sta.uwi.edu; www.tribenwater.com
TBW Discovery Center – Expanding Our Scope
The Discovery Center is a significant new addition to the education and conservation efforts of Tampa Bay Watch and is integral to the advancement of our mission. The facility allows us to vastly expand our reach to local, national and international visitors. A nonprofit organization founded in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch leads habitat restoration and protection activities throughout the year. Thousands of volunteers contribute their time to help the bay recover from its environmental challenges and to ensure its long-term health. People of all ages — as part of community groups, schools and other organizations — participate in salt marsh plantings, storm drain markings, oyster bar creation, coastal cleanups and wildlife protection. This collective effort amounts to environmental stewardship in its purest form.
The goal of the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center is to advance environmental stewardship by engaging, informing and inspiring visitors with our success story about the recovery of Tampa Bay.