Tampa Bay Watch is calling on community members to participate in an environmental restoration project at Maximo Park (Pinellas Point Dr S &, Sunshine Skyway Ln S). The nonprofit organization is organizing volunteer days on July 9, 10, and 11 from 11 a.m. to noon each day to help create a living shoreline.
Volunteers will be tasked with installing oyster reef balls and shell bars along the shoreline. The oyster shell bar installation involves shoveling fossilized shells into mesh bags and strategically placing them to form a series of oyster bars. This activity aims to enhance the natural habitat and support local marine life.
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Help protect our water across Tampa Bay
The reef ball installation is a more labor-intensive part of the project. Each reef ball weighs 200 pounds, and two volunteers will share the load to position them properly on the shoreline. These reef balls play a crucial role in habitat restoration and shoreline stabilization.
“This project underscores our dedication to sustainable coastal management,” said Allison Mihalich, Director of the City of St. Petersburg’s Office of Sustainability & Resilience. “Partnering with Tampa Bay Watch allows us to protect our shorelines, enhance biodiversity, and improve water quality. It’s a significant step toward a resilient and thriving coastal ecosystem, and we are proud to engage the community in this vital effort.”
Restoring lost habitat systems in Tampa Bay
This initiative is designed to restore lost habitat systems, prevent further erosion, and improve water quality through natural biological filtration. By engaging the community in these efforts, Tampa Bay Watch hopes to foster a sense of stewardship and raise awareness about the importance of coastal conservation.
Community members interested in volunteering can sign up online to participate in this impactful project.
After you volunteer, you can enjoy Maximo Park’s fantastic observation tower and its frisbee golf course.
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