When Peter Clark launched Tampa Bay Watch in 1993, the nonprofit stewardship program was dedicated exclusively to the charitable and scientific purpose of protecting and restoring the marine and wetland environments of the Tampa Bay estuary. A quarter-century later Tampa Bay Watch is still dedicated to “Restoring the bay every day!”
The estuary is the largest in the state, encompassing 400 square miles of open water and 2,300 square miles of highly developed watershed that supports industry, agriculture, and a diverse population in excess of close to 3 million people.
“We often hear the accolades on the wonderful habitat restoration projects and water quality improvements that have been made in Tampa Bay,” Clark told Paradise News. “But the truth is that the core of our organizational development has always been and will continue to be energizing the community, young and old, to take a leading role in the recovery of the Bay. It was those early projects in the 1990s that really instilled in our hearts that people really, truly wanted to make a difference in the Tampa Bay estuary, if they only knew how.
“And that led to the formation of Tampa Bay Watch in 1993. It was a small group of environmentalists and educators providing the critical science and coordination necessary to create projects, and inviting community groups, schools, youth programs and others to do the hands-on construction.
“Essentially we have stayed true to the mission, oh but how we have matured over the years. Our award-winning and often duplicated Bay Grasses in Classes program laid the groundwork for development of our education programs at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center in Tierra Verde. Fifteen years old, I still consider the Marine Center new as it now serves as our base of operations, providing new educational platforms, organizational offices, staging area for restoration projects, and social and friend raising opportunities. What a blessing to grow a marine science facility on the shores of the Bay, exactly where we need to be….
“All of you who have participated in our habitat restoration projects know that we have only just begun. It is easy and important to point out how far we have come – water quality best in the bay since the 1950s, sea grass having recovered 20,000 new acres since the 1980s, and fish and wildlife are returning to the bay as a result of these improvements.
“Oyster communities in Tampa Bay have been heavily impacted by construction activities and overfishing. The Community Oyster Reef Enhancement accomplishes two types of oyster restoration program, oyster domes and oyster shell reefs to create natural oyster communities similar to those found along the shoreline of Tampa Bay. Oyster domes are made with marine-friendly concrete with a goal to stabilize shorelines, provide hard bottom habitats for fish and wildlife resources and promotes water quality improvements in the Tampa Bay ecosystem. Oyster shell bags reduce shoreline erosion and promote oyster habitats to improve water quality in Tampa Bay.
“Our salt marsh planting projects protect and stabilize low lying coastal lands and provide protection and food sources for estuarine and coastal fishery food chains of many species of fish and marine mammals. To date, we have restored over 300 acres of wetland habitat in Tampa Bay. In 2014, we accomplished the largest Salt Marsh Planting in Tampa Bay history with 400 volunteers planting 40,000 plugs of salt marsh at the Rock Ponds Ecosystem Restoration Project.
“Education is a major focus for the Tampa Bay Watch. Our hands-on education programs are designed to open a world of discovery to students from across the bay area. From lab sessions in our classrooms and exploration boats, to snorkeling and kayak adventures, our students get the chance to see marine life up close, witness the fragility of our ecosystem and learn the effects of conservation and restoration projects. Service Learning Projects like Sand Dune Restoration and Coastal Cleanups give students real-world experience in the protection and restoration of our beaches.
“Bay Grasses in Classes allows middle and high school students the opportunity to maintain and grow native wetland grasses at their school to be replanted into targeted coastal areas which has resulted in the restoration of more than 171 acres around Tampa Bay. “
“When they complete the Tampa Bay Watch programs, students have more respect for the environment and understand the importance of keeping the Tampa Bay estuary clean and healthy for generations to come. The experiences and knowledge gained as young adults will provide a lifetime of good environmental stewardship.
“Our dedicated professional staff includes Pamela Arbisi, our Development Director who is responsible for fundraising; Serra Herndon, our Director of Habitat Restoration who leads our science team; Jill Kunesh, our Director of Accounting and HR, Katie Mastenbrook, our Director of Education, leader of Estuary EDventures school field trip and summer camp program; and Rachel Arndt, our Communications Manager who also coordinates all volunteers.
“Despite all our accomplishments, we face a continued population growth that threatens to undermine the achievements we all have grown to enjoy. One of my greatest concerns is the separation of our children from the natural environment. So many students that have come to Tampa Bay Watch as part of their field trips have never been on a boat before, or to one of our many wonderful beaches. It is so hard to imagine, but it is a reality for many. What we consider gains in technology are removing the next generation from enjoying the amazing resources right in our backyards. How can we expect our children to continue to protect the bay if they do not learn to love it?”
Board Chair Kevin Kelso Comments
The TBW professional staff is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, headed by Chairman Kevin Kelso, Senior VP, Regional Manager, Underwriting and Portfolio Management of Hancock Bank. He told Paradise News, “This is a very special year for Tampa Bay Watch as 2018 marks our 25th anniversary! As an organization we are proud of the work we’ve accomplished over these past years – from our ever popular educational programming and summer camps, as well as our habitat restoration work, which has directly impacted improving the quality of our Tampa Bay estuaries and sea grasses.
“As a community we are humbled by the thousands of volunteers and the remarkable support of donors that participate, physically and financially, to make our mission possible. I’m amazed that a spark from a small group of dedicated supporters, 25 years ago, has developed into an organization that makes an impact on the quality of life we all enjoy living in Tampa Bay.”
“I’m also excited for what the future holds, as Tampa Bay Watch expands its footprint to downtown St. Petersburg with the recently announced Discovery Center located on the new St. Pete Pier™! Congratulations to Tampa Bay Watch, Peter Clark and to all the dedicated staff for its accomplishments over these 25 years! Happy Anniversary and to many more successful years!”
Challenges for the Future
Clark is looking ahead, noting, “That is the challenge of Tampa Bay Watch moving forward. While involving the community in bay protection activities 25-plus years ago was the seed of our institution, addressing the critical need for the next generation to experience and understand the value of a healthy bay is essential.
“The City of St. Petersburg is contracting with Tampa Bay Watch to develop the State of Florida’s first sea grass mitigation bank that we started planning in 2016. The goal is to generate city-owned mitigation credits by enhancing, restoring, maintaining and protecting sea grass within the project area. The city-owned project area encompasses 161 acres of submerged lands east of North Shore Park and is bordered by the Coffee Pot Bayou entrance channel and Tampa Bay.
“This past May the St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved Tampa Bay Watch to develop and operate a second education center and exhibit hall at the new St. Pete Pier™. Opening in the fall of 2019, The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center will enhance our education and outreach missions. Our new 3,000-square-foot facility will open with a soaring exhibition hall that will bring our ecosystem to visitors from around the corner to around the world.
“Focal point of the exhibit hall is a centerpiece aquarium that showcases many of the species found in our local waters. Touch tanks, interactive displays, video presentations and docent-led tours will combine for an unforgettable experience and a newfound respect for our local environment. A new, dedicated classroom space will help us teach more students the importance of understanding our ecosystem and protecting it. A new classroom boat will offer eco-tours of Tampa Bay, and an outdoor classroom. An Amphitheater will bring the Tampa Bay Watch experience ever closer to the habitat at the center of our work.”
“It’s a truly exciting time at Tampa Bay Watch and you can be part of it! Companies can connect with over 7,000 projected visitors each day by sponsoring an exhibit. For more information on how you can help develop the financial resources to make this dream a reality, contact Pamela Arbisi at 727-867-8166 x222 or at parbisi@tampabaywatch.org.
”Learn how you can get involved in Tampa Bay Watch as a volunteer at www.tampabaywatch.org and stay tuned for several engaging activities throughout the year in commemoration of our 25th anniversary celebration. We’re very pleased that the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce selected us as the local charity that will benefit from some of the proceeds from the first annual Chamber Festival of Trees, with events in five Gulf Beaches communities November 24.
“The quality of life in Tampa Bay is dependent on the surrounding natural environment. People are drawn here to fish our waters, lie on our beaches, reconnect with family and experience natural beauty that stirs the soul. Give to Tampa Bay Watch. And protect the beauty of our natural environment so it can be enjoyed by our children and generations to come.
“Join us as we begin the next chapter of our organization — as always it will be the community that truly makes the difference. PN
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Peter Clark, President, and Rachel Arndt, Communications Manager, for their excellent background, comments and photos.”
Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com
TBW Milestones over its first 25 years:
- 1993: Peter Clark establishes Tampa Bay Watch
- 1994: Bay Grasses in Classes (BGIC) wetland nursery program launched at Lakewood High School
- 1995: Monofilament AKA fishing line recycling program began
- 2000: State of Florida and Pinellas County acquired Cunningham Key for TBW’s Marine & Education Center
- 2001: Community Oyster Reef Enhancement program began
- 2002: First oyster dome installation at Vinoy Basin & Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg
- 2004: First derelict crab trap removal
- 2005: Dedication of the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center in Tierra Verde
- 2006: Estuary EDventures field trips and summer camps begin
- 2008: Classroom Catamaran launched for school field trip program
- 2012: Completion of TBW Service Learning Center
- 2014: Solar Array installed at headquarters
- 2014: Accomplished largest Salt Marsh Planting in Tampa Bay history at Rock Ponds Ecosystem Restoration Project
- 2015: Sea grass growth improves to 1950s level
- 2016: TBW begins plans for Florida’s first Sea grass Mitigation Bank
- 2018: TBW celebrates 25th anniversary
- 2018: City of St. Petersburg approves lease for TBW to operate Education Station at new Pier