Who:Representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program, Tampa Bay Watch, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and approximately 350 volunteers
What:Volunteers will participate in planting up to 30,000 marsh grass on approximately 34 acres of the Terra Ceia Ecosystem Restoration Project, setting a new record for Tampa Bay for the most marsh plants installed during a single volunteer planting event.
When:Saturday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m.
Where:The Terra Ceia Aquatic and State Park Preserves are located in Manatee County, just north of Palmetto
Why:The District, its partners, and the volunteers will be completing two phases of the overall Terra Ceia Ecosystem Restoration Project by planting a series of restored and created intertidal islands and marsh platforms.
District On-site Contact:Brandt Henningsen, 813-985-7481, ext. 2202 or 813-917-0108 (cell)
Directions:The volunteer event will take place near the Bishop Harbor Boat Ramp, located on north side of Bishop Harbor Road, just west of U.S. Hwy. 41.
From the St. Petersburg: Take Interstate 275 south to U.S. Hwy. 41, Exit 2. Turn left and take U.S. Hwy. 41 north to the boat Bishop Harbor Road.
From Tampa: Take Interstate 75 south to Exit 229, which is Moccasin Wallow Road. Turn right and go west about 2 miles. Cross U.S. Hwy. 41 and continue for another mile to the Bishop Harbor Boat Ramp.
Terra Ceia Preserve volunteer marsh planting
The Terra Ceia Ecosystem Restoration Project is the result of a joint acquisition between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the state to protect the coastal resources of Tampa Bay. Portions of the state’s Terra Ceia Aquatic and State Park Preserves are co-owned. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) manages the preserves.
The volunteer planting is a cooperative effort among the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program, Tampa Bay Watch, FDEP and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The volunteer planting is part of a large-scale ecosystem restoration project within the preserves. The restoration project, which encompasses 1,900 acres of estuarine and freshwater wetlands and coastal uplands, is being spearheaded by the District’s SWIM Program in cooperation with FDEP. When complete, the restoration project will be the largest restoration project within the Tampa Bay area.
The volunteer planting will take place at two 17-acre sections of the restoration project that require marsh grass planting. The sites consist of restored and created intertidal habitats.
Approximately 30,000 mash grass plants will be installed at the sites. The completion of this volunteer planting will set a new record of plants installed during a single volunteer planting for Tampa Bay.
Approximately 350 volunteers are expected to participate in the planting. Tampa Bay Watch is coordinating the volunteers. Please contact Tampa Bay Watch at (727) 867-8166 to pre-register. Tampa Bay Watch will provide volunteers who participate with a commemorative t-shirt and a complimentary lunch.