Native Planting at Fantasy Island
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers to plant six different native species along the shoreline of Fantasy Island to complement the installed oyster domes and shell bar on March 2 & 3 from 9am – noon. This comprehensive ecosystem restoration plan will slow erosion and provide invaluable habitat and food source for wildlife. The minimum age to participate is 13 years old.
The meeting location is Williams Park Boat Ramp, 8749 U.S. 41, Riverview, FL 33578. The boat ramp is on the west side of US 41 (Tamiami Trail) where US 41 and the north side of the Alafia River intersect.
Click on date to register to volunteer: Thursday, March 2 & Friday, March 3
Help Install an Oyster Shell Bar
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers to install an oyster shell bar on the shoreline of 2D Island on February 23-24, March 10-11 and March 9 at Fantasy Island from 9am – noon on each day.
The project involves shoveling fossilized shell into mesh bags, transporting the bags via boat and placing oyster shell bags on the shoreline to create a series of oyster bars. It is pretty physical labor with oyster shell bags weighing around 30 pounds each, therefore the miminum age to participate is 15 years old. The meeting location is Williams Park Boat Ramp, 8749 U.S. 41, Riverview, FL 33578. The boat ramp is on the west side of US 41 (Tamiami Trail) where US 41 and the north side of the Alafia River intersect.
Click on date to register for this project: Thursday, February 23, Friday, February 24 is already full, Thursday, March 9, Friday, March 10 & Saturday, March 11.
Build Oyster Domes
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting 10-20 hard-working volunteers to help build oyster domes at our Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde. The project takes place on specified weekday mornings from 9 am until noon. The minimum age to participate in this project is 16 years old. The project involves pouring marine-friendly concrete into fiberglass molds to create oyster domes and taking apart the molds that were previously poured.
Oysters need to attach to a hard structure to grow into adults and the rough texture of the domes makes it easier for oysters to grow. Oyster communities help stabilize shorelines, provide hard bottom habitats for fish and wildlife resources and promote water quality improvements in the Tampa Bay ecosystem. Learn more about the oyster dome program here.
Click one of the dates below to register: February 8, February 10, February 15, & February 27.
