Loews Don CeSar Hotel has partnered with Tampa Bay Watch, the Pinellas Education Foundation, and Campbell Park Elementary School students, to create a series of permanent education stations, and a sea life mural to inform visitors about the area’s natural environment, its array of sea life and Tampa Bay’s feathered, finned and leafy neighbors!
The self-guided experience was created as a result of the many inquiries the hotel’s staff was receiving from guests about everything from sea turtle nesting and the importance of sea oats to the famous “Stingray Shuffle.” The hotel reached out to Tampa Bay Watch, which is dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs to help develop a solution – Sea Life Education Stations.
The Sea Life “Education Stations” include eight stops around the hotels pools, gardens and beachfront. Areas of focus include:
Beach Birds – Florida beaches are home to millions of birds – migratory and permanent.
Oyster Domes – Oyster Domes are placed around the bay to restore lost habitat and promote water health. Guests can see two real domes and how they work!
Under the Sea – Discover some of Tampa Bay’s marine species, many of whom have grown up in our nutrient-rich waters of Tampa Bay before graduating to the Gulf of Mexico.
Stingrays – Gulf is home to several species of rays.Beach Plants – Guests learn to identify some of the most prevalent beach plant species on local beaches.
Sea Turtles – Beaches are critical nesting sites for endangered sea turtles. Loggerhead turtles often make their nests right behind Loews Don CeSar. See a replica of a turtle nest, complete with hatchlings!
Manatees – Learn about these gentle giants, affectionately called Sea Cows. Meet our own replica Ms. Maisie and her baby calf Maddie.
Sea Life Wall Mural – Visit Camp CeSar and get a peek at artist Damir Tabakovic’s unique wall art, dedicated to our Beach Species and informational program. Some of the Campbell Park Elementary students participated in the making of the murals.
