SPRING 2013 BAYSOUNDINGS.COM

You Can Help Save Frogs Page 8-9 BaySoundingsCOVERING THE WATERSHED

No ocean is free of plastic – and neither is Tampa Bay The majority of Tampa Bay’s beau- tiful beaches are regularly cleaned and manicured. While this is great for tour- ism, it means we remain blissfully un- PERILSOF aware of the vast quantities of refuse we are leaving behind in paradise. And de- spite our best efforts at hiding the trash, that pesky plastic is still finding its way PLASTIC into Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Major sources locally include: By Sigrid Tidmore one mile deep carrying 100+ million tons and waves, plastic breaks into minute • Storm drain trash is, for the most of plastic? The National Oceanic and particles and moves into solution. When our nonprofit organization, part, the small stuff: straws, coffee Atmospheric Administration estimates Beginning in 2010, scientists at the Community Stepping Stones, won a stirrers, lighters, beverage bottles, that today every square kilometer of sea Algalita Marine Research Foundation Tampa Bay Estuary Program mini-grant caps, lids, plastic cutlery, food wrap- contains 46,000 pieces of plastic. In the began investigating the suspended mass 18 months ago, we embarked upon an pers, the plastic casings of shot gun adventure that has literally changed past ten years the amount of plastic in of plastic in the Pacific Ocean compared shells, 6-pack holders, cigarette our lives. Our students participate in our oceans has tripled, and it’s predicted to the mass of zooplankton. One small butts, etc. For example, the City of an after-school program for at-risk to double again in the next ten years. study found six pounds of particulate St. Petersburg has more than 1,300 teens in Sulphur Springs. Located on Where does the trash come from? plastic for every one pound of plankton. storm drains that each dump four the Hillsborough River, our campus is Approximately 80% washes from the This incredible plastic displacement of to seven pounds of light plastic into at the head waters of the estuary, so our land down into our waterways. The tiny organisms means animals higher up surface waters with every downpour. idea was to collect river, bay and beach rest blows off or is dumped by ships. the food chain are likely to ingest non- That equates to 4.5 tons of plastic ev- debris to use in a mosaic that spoke to Americans annually generate 10.5 mil- nutritious synthetic matter accidentally. ery time it rains – and that’s only St. our common waterway. We had no lion tons of plastic waste and recycle less “Plankton is the foundation of the Pete! idea that our research would lead us to than 25%. Eventually, about 50% of all ocean’s food chain,” says Dr. Bridgette • Recreational trash, primarily from a face-to-face encounter with one of the plastics generated globally end up in the Froeschke, an oceanographer and mi- beach activities, contributes approxi- most dangerous threats to our planet. ocean. crobiologist at the USF Center mately 36.7% of litter found in the “When you throw something away, The insidious nature of these whirl- for Community Design and Research. water, according to a University of exactly where is away?” pools isn’t the big, chunky pieces of “When massive quantities of plastic Plymouth study. Local contributions You may have heard of the Great Pa- debris as much as it is the pulverized are part of the ecosystem, filter feed- include everything mentioned cific gyre – that floating garbage patch plastic particles which are entering the ers from whales to oysters are unable above, plus festival beads, diapers in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. But bottom of the food chain at an alarming to discriminate their intake. The result and syringes. Fishermen add bait did you realize there are now five ocean rate. It takes up to 700 years for plastic is a break-down in their energy intake, Perils of Plastic gyres, each over 1,500 miles wide and to decompose, but when exposed to sun which obviously affects their health.” Continued on page 10

tion Agency, the University of South and policy manager for the estuary Florida, the Tampa Bay Estuary Pro- program. “Atmospheric deposition Air Pollution Tops Other Sources gram and other federal, state and local comes from a wide variety of sources environmental agencies. – including cars, power plants, fertil- The research quantified the sources izer plants, airplanes, agricultural op- of Contamination in Tampa Bay and relative contributions of air pollu- erations, lawn mowers, and even light- tion, also known as atmospheric depo- ning. Determining where it comes More than half the nitrogen en- The recently completed research, sition, to Tampa Bay. It also examined from and how it gets to Tampa Bay was tering Tampa Bay is coming from air called the Bay Region Atmospheric the potential effects of existing and like a giant chemistry experiment.” pollution, primarily from cars and Chemistry Experiment (BRACE), proposed air quality regulations on ni- Overall, power plants and industries power plants, according to important compiles data from a landmark multi- trogen loadings to Tampa Bay. are responsible for the bulk of the air research conducted by a regional team year study that involved scientists “It’s a very complex study,” said Air Pollution of scientists. from the U.S. Environmental Protec- Lindsay Cross, environmental science Continued on page 12

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 1 PROFILE DIVE Meet Jim Igler: IN! Super Volunteer Explore Tampa Bay’s magnificent waterworld and watershed with Bay Soundings, a quarterly news journal If you’ve ever volunteered to help improve Tam- covering Florida’s largest open-water estuary. Bay pa Bay’s ecosystems, you’ve probably met Jim Igler. Soundings chronicles the news and issues affecting the He’s the guy who has a near-perfect attendance bay, while profiling the people, places and creatures that record at the Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Give make it so compelling. Thanks to generous community support, Bay Soundings is distributed free of charge to a Day for the Bay events. Or you may have seen local and national subscribers. Interested readers may him pulling abandoned crab traps with Tampa subscribe online at www.baysoundings.com or send an Bay Watch, or cleaning up underwater trash with email to [email protected]. Bulk copies also Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. He leads Green Team are available for distribution through area attractions, at the and is the volunteer dive schools, businesses and civic organizations. team leader, working to restore local coral reefs and Jim Igler participates in dozens of clean-up events in TALK BACK maintain the aquarium’s shark tanks. Other days, Tampa Bay every year, including a recent derelict crab We welcome letters to the editor on topics covered in he’s helping to build “love boats” where least terns trap removal event sponsored by Tampa Bay Watch. Bay Soundings as well as articles or story ideas on issues can lay their eggs at Fort DeSoto, repairing historic impacting Tampa Bay and the region’s natural resources. structures on Egmont Key or pushing efforts to canal, he put down rip-rap so mangroves can grow Send letters to [email protected]. make the Gasparilla parade more eco-friendly. along the water’s edge, creating habitat for juvenile SEND US YOUR NEWS He’s also the guy who won the most prestigious fish, crabs and birds. When his central air condi- We’re always interested in news about community award given by one of the nation’s most respected tioner conked out two years ago, he opened his win- organizations involved in Tampa Bay, and our calendar organizations, Keep America Beautiful’ s Iron Eyes dows and learned to live without it. His next home page highlights upcoming bay-related events and Cody Award, named for the 1970s “Crying Indian” project is setting up a chicken coop – made from activities. Send news to [email protected]. advertising campaign that helped recycled materials he’s collecting now HELP YOURSELF kick off the country’s fledgling en- – so he can harvest his own eggs. If you see an article in Bay Soundings that you would like vironmental movement. In fact, the best part of winning to include in another publication, help yourself. All we “Jim Igler’s passion for the en- an important national award is the ask is that the story appears with the following credit: vironment shines a bright light on credibility it gives him as he con- “Reprinted with permission from Bay Soundings.” Photos, many coastal Florida communi- tinues his campaign to make Tampa however, may not be reprinted without express written permission. ties,” said Matt McKenna, presi- Bay a better place. “It will be a great dent of Keep America Beautiful. platform,” he says. “People are much “He’s a true hero, an inspiration to more likely to listen to me now.” BAYSOUNDINGS.COM the Tampa Bay community as well For instance, he’d like to see the as to all of us.” final float at the Gasparilla parade BaySoundingsCOVERING THE TAMPA BAY WATERSHED It didn’t start out that way. set up to collect and recycle beads Raised on a Pennsylvania dairy and bottles – instead of diving off editor farm, Igler earned a degree in vo- Bayshore to clean up the petroleum- Allan Horton Victoria Parsons Freelance Writer Igler, left, accepts Keep America cational agriculture from Okla- based plastic trash. And new regula- Robin Lewis Beautiful's most prestigious award design & graphics homa State University before he tions that require every new home McShane Communications Lewis Environmental Services from the organization's president, in Florida to be outfitted with solar Amy Harroun realized that driving a truck paid website design more money than teaching – and Matthew M. McKenna. panels and systems that harvest rain- Southwest Florida Water McShane Communications Management District let him see more of the country. water. Or giant coolers at clean-up print representative George Isiminger, PE When he retired, he bought a small home on a canal events instead of thousands of bottles of water, may- Shell Jaroy Manatee near Cockroach Bay, then went right back to work. be even seeing event leaders pass out reusable cups local distribution Wren Krahl He had learned to scuba dive on a Caribbean va- instead of t-shirts for participants. David Kieffer Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council cation, and the Florida Aquarium was looking for “There’s always something we can do better,” he contributing writers Administrative offices: volunteers, so he signed up to help. As he met more says. “And if everybody did just a little bit to help Marcia Biggs Bay Soundings people from other organizations, he joined Tampa the environment, we’d all be so much better off.” Pam Brown c/o Tampa Bay Regional Bay Watch, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, then When he first arrived in Tampa Bay in the late Sonia C. Lavina Planning Council Ann Paul 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and the Egmont Key Al- 1980s, the water in the bay was brown, but he was Mark Rachal Suite 100 liance and St. Petersburg Audubon Society. used to it. “I’d been living in Oklahoma and Kan- Sigrid Tidmore Pinellas Park, FL 33782 “I could see the jobs that needed to get done, and sas and water is usually brown there.” As he learned Avalon Theisen PH 727-570-5151, ext.32 I knew I could help,” Igler says. “I didn’t do it for more about the challenges facing the bay, he got editorial advisory board FAX 727-570-5118 Suzanne Cooper more involved in restoring it. Electronic communications: the awards – I did it because I enjoy it. I get to work Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council with people I might not meet otherwise and make a “It’s a shame that more people don’t realize that [email protected] Nanette O’ Hara [email protected] difference in the world.” Tampa Bay is one of the only urban estuaries in the Tampa Bay Estuary Program Igler lives his commitment to improving the en- world where water quality has actually improved Frank Hearne vironment every day. Rather than a seawall on his over the last few decades instead of declining.” Mechanik, Nuccio, Hearne & Wester, P.A.

2 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com news briefs& follow through owners watershed education and wet- feet of shoreline habitat at Fort DeSoto al projects about the gopher tortoise and BP Trial Continues: Local Groups lands treatment project Park’s North Beach the fascinating world in which it lives. The Look at Restoration Efforts • $10,000 to the Ecosphere Restoration • $4,632 to Friends of Boyd Hill Nature grant also honors Donna June Heinrich, Institute for Ulele Springs, Tampa’s first Preserve for a survey that will use bio- an environmental educator whose life was A federal judge has refused to grant source of drinking water logical data on gopher tortoises and dedicated to conserving wildlife and their a motion releasing BP from charges of • $5,000 to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful eastern indigo snakes to guide habitat associated habitats. gross negligence meaning the oil com- for “Live It, Love It, Preserve It!,” edu- restoration efforts Deadline for 2013 applications is Au- pany could be liable for fines of nearly cational presentations on environmental • $4,898 to Pinellas County Department gust 31. Applications may be downloaded $20 billion following the 2010 oil spill that topics of Environment and Infrastructure’s Wa- from www.gophertortoisecouncil.org. Ap- killed 11 employees and dumped more • $5,000 to Lowry Park Zoo for a 200-gal- tershed Management Section for the plications which contain the following will than four billion gallons of oil into the Gulf lon invasive marine species exhibit Lealman Water Quality Education Initia- be given preference: of Mexico. housing aquatic invaders such as lion- tive, including materials translated into • Projects that reach diverse and new au- Even with no end in sight for the trial, fish, green mussels and Mayan cichlids Vietnamese to help prevent pollution of diences local organizations have been working • $3,302 to Dowdell Middle Magnet nearby Joe’s Creek • Projects that focus on the importance of to determine how funds can be spent to School for Camping by the Bay, for 40 • $3,000 to The Pier Aquarium for Moni- the conservation of intact upland eco- restore ecosystems across the Gulf of students in four trips to the Hillsborough toring Madeira: Synergism of Science systems Mexico, including those not directly af- River State Park Youth Camp to Foster Tampa Bay which allows stu- • Projects that encourage community in- fected by the oil spill. The three National • $4,915 to Community Stepping Stones dents at Madeira Beach Fundamental volvement Estuary Programs on Florida’s Gulf Coast for Beautiful Building Blocks: Food Middle School to monitor water quality • Projects that have matching funds. are working with local governments to Web, an art exhibit that highlights the • $4,938 to the Florida Turtle Conserva- For more information, contact George compile a joint list of priority restoration intricate details of the marine food web tion Trust to create a demand for blue L. Heinrich at george@heinrichecologi- projects (See Bay Soundings, Fall 2012). • $5,000 to Sierra Club Inner City Outings crabs caught in crab pots using bycatch calservices.com. The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restora- which will bring at-risk, inner-city youth reduction devices (BRDs) that allow di- tion Council will develop a comprehensive to Crystal Springs Preserve to learn amondback terrapins - a shy estuarine restoration plan, depending upon funds about habitats, ecosystems and food turtle found in Tampa Bay -- to escape Paddling Group Creates available from the BP fines. A preliminary webs. unharmed list is available online at http://www.dep. Manatee County awards include: • $4,202 to Riviera Bay Civic Association state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/projects_re- Environmental Toolkit Training • $4,850 to Around the Bend Nature for Operation Healthy Water store_act.htm. A “light” version of the Florida Master Tours, for low-impact development • $10,000 to Tampa Bay Watch, Inc. to Naturalist program is now available to field trips focused on new pathways for create 650 linear feet of oyster shell groups of 10 or more through the Florida stormwater shoreline at Elnor Island. Paddling Trails Association (FPTA). TBEP Announces 2013 Mini- • $5,000 to Manatee School for the Arts Region-wide awards include: “We want to help people interact for a biology education program, field • $1,750 to Keep Pinellas Beautiful for its Grant Winners positively with nature – to explore with trips and labs “Adopt an Intracoastal Island Mainte- purpose,” notes Hank Brooks, a Safety The Tampa Bay Estuary Program re- • $4,500 to Anna Maria Island Turtle nance Program” to remove debris too Harbor resident and founding president cently awarded $104,463 to 20 communi- Watch for Flippers and Feathers, an large to be handled by kayakers. ty groups for projects that directly involve education booklet emphasizing ways in of FPTA. “Once people learn to respect citizens in restoring and improving Tampa which residents and visitors can protect Applications for the 2014 mini-grants habitats – and the wildlife that depends Bay. This year, special $10,000 awards for turtles and birds must be completed by Oct. 1. For more upon them – they’ll take better care of the in-the-ground habitat restoration projects • $5,000 to Audubon of Florida to design information, visit www.tpep.org. environment.” also were available, thanks to a matching and print a boating and angling guide to The program includes two half-day grant from the Tampa Bay Environmental Terra Ceia Bay and Lower Tampa Bay. sessions: four hours of interactive class- Fund. Pinellas County awards include: Gopher Tortoise Grant Now room instruction followed by a three-hour Funds for the Mini-Grant program • $3,474 to the Clearwater Audubon So- paddle or walk the next day. The cost is come from sales of the Tampa Bay Estu- ciety to build a floating wooden raft for Available $20 for non-members and includes a lam- ary license plate – also known as the "Tar- least terns at Honeymoon Island State The Gopher Tortoise Council has es- inated wildlife guide. For more informa- pon Tag." Park tablished an environmental education tion, visit www.floridapaddlingtrails.com Hillsborough County grants include: • $10,000 to Pinellas County Parks and grant to support educators and organiza- or contact hbrooks@floridapaddlingtrails. • $4,998 to the East Lake Park Home- Conservation Resources to recreate 75 tions committed to developing education- com.

Tampa Bay is A BIG THANKS Getting Better. YOU CAN HELP. to the following sponsors for making Bay Soundings possible with our Buy a Tampa Bay Estuary tag and help keep Tampa Bay on the road to recovery. They’re avail- deepest appreciation for your commitment to celebrating and preserving able year-round in your local tax collector’s office or request a Tampa Bay Estuary tag with your Florida’s largest open-water estuary. annual renewal. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council The cost is $27 for the first year and $17 after that – Tampa Bay Estuary Program with $15 going directly to projects that benefit the Florida Department of Transportation, District 7 estuary, including the publication of Bay Soundings. A message from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and the If you or your company would like information on becoming a sponsor of Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Agency on Bay Soundings, please contact Suzanne Cooper at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Bay Management. Original artwork by Russ Sirmons. 727-570-5151, ext. 32, or email [email protected]

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 3 ticultural oils derived from plants such as sesame (Organocide is primarily sesame oil mixed with fish oil), citrus Look at Alternatives Before Using (d-limonene and linalool) and neem. A number of other botanicals are derived from various plant parts. Pyrethrum, Synthetic Chemical Pesticides derived from the flowers of a daisy-like plant, is the most widely used botanical insecticide in the U.S. Other botanicals By Pam Brown from outside are caulked, and windows watered moderately and fertilized with include rotenone, ryania, and sabadilla, and doors do not have visible gaps slow-release nitrogen (http://edis.ifas. As residents of Florida, we enjoy but the list of all the commercially avail- where insects might enter. ufl.edu/lh036). Many insects that attack wonderful weather almost year-round. able botanicals is quite long. In addi- Keeping mulch and other debris plants prefer new succulent growth and But our moderate winter weather and tion, recipes abound for creating your away from the foundation will reduce too much water and fertilizer fuels new the hot, wet, humid summers conspire own insecticides from garlic, onion, growth. to support many insect, bacterial and moisture that can harbor insect pests Before you pull out weedkiller, con- fungal pests that can damage our land- that find their way indoors, as well scapes and our homes. There are many as the dreaded termites that eat our sider weed control. Pulling weeds be- pesticides on the market that promise homes from the inside out. The Uni- fore they become well-established could to help rid us of these pests if we will versity of Florida Extension publication be the only control you need, especially just use them. However, it is unreason- “The Facts about Termites and Mulch” important before they bloom and pro- able to expect a pest-free environment (http://edis.ifas.ufl. duce seeds. Many her- in Florida. edu/in651) states The natural pesticides in my bicides can damage I don’t know about you, but I’m in- that mulch can arsenal are neem oil, insecticidal your desirable plants creasingly concerned about all of the contribute to the and trees when used chemicals used to control pests. Pesti- survival of estab- soap, sulfur, copper, horticultural to kill weeds in plant- Photo courtesy Clemson University - USDA cide residues can build up and some- lished termites by ing beds or your lawn. Cooperative Extension Bugwood.org Goldeneyed lacewing times persist for many years in the keeping the soil oil (Organocide), and a product I personally find pull- environment. In Tampa Bay, stormwa- moist and temper- containing the bacterium Bacillus ing weeds, where I ter rushing across our landscapes has atures moderate. If can be outside enjoy- chili peppers, baking soda, liquid soap become a primary source of toxic con- mulch must be used thuringiensis (Bt) (Thuricide). ing the fresh outdoors and vegetable oil. taminants to our beautiful aquatic eco- next to the founda- along with the birds Oils can control pests by blocking tion, keep the layer systems. and other wildlife, the air or breathing holes of the insects, less than two inches deep for a distance very pleasant. A natural pre-emergent The “What’s on My Food” website thus suffocating them. There is no re- of 12 inches from the wall. This reduces weed control that also adds some slow- (http://www.whatsonmyfood.org) lists sidual activity with oils so the oil must the possibility that termites can move release nitrogen fertilizer is corn gluten 44 different pesticide residues found coat the insect for it to be effective and across the treated soil to get to the meal. by the Department of repeat spraying is usually necessary. foundation. For more information from But what do we do if our diligent at- Agriculture Pesticide Data Program in Neem oil is derived from the seeds water and groundwater in 2008. I won- the University of Florida about struc- tention still doesn’t keep damaging in- of the neem tree. It is not toxic to pets, der how many there are now? I, for one, tural pests and their control, visit http:// sects away from our landscapes? If you wildlife or humans. In fact toothpaste, don’t subscribe to the notion of “better edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_household_and_ do see that you have an infestation of a soap and skin creams are made from the living through chemistry.” There are structural_pests. pest insect or disease, you could start by Proper cultural practice in the land- removing the diseased or infested por- scape starts with placing the right plant tions of the plants. Learn what benefi- in the right place for the growing con- cial insects, such as ladybugs, look like ditions, then caring for it appropriately and look for their activity (https://edis. with proper watering and fertilizer. A ifas.ufl.edu/in120). Many times they are healthy plant is much more likely to all the control that you need for insect survive an attack by harmful insects or pests, especially if you remove the in- disease. Diverse plantings also act as a fested plant parts. foil for insect infestations. If you still need to treat the problem,

Photo courtesy Charles Olsen, USDA APHIS PPQ, It has been said that nature abhors a then consider a natural or organic prod- Photo courtesy William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Bugwood.org monoculture and large fields consisting uct. The natural pesticides in my arsenal Management International, Bugwood.org Chinch Bug of one agricultural crop that need pes- are neem oil, insecticidal soap, sulfur, Tomato hornworm ticides to thrive are a perfect example. copper, horticultural oil (Organocide), oil or other parts of the tree. I recom- other alternatives that are much safer in Closer to home, lawns are probably our and a product containing the bacterium nearly every circumstance. largest monoculture. Eileen Buss, a re- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (Thuricide). mend NimBioSys 100% cold-pressed When looking for alternatives to searcher at the University of Florida, I scout my landscape for pests weekly neem oil that I order online from Bran- toxic pesticides, the first lines of defense has reported that St. Augustine grass so I seldom need stronger pesticides if don-based Neem Tree Farms (www. are excluding pests from our homes and that is watered heavily and fertilized I catch infestations soon enough. Natu- neemtreefarms.com). Most of the neem using proper cultural practices in the with large amounts of water-soluble ral products for insect pest management oil that is available commercially is only landscape. Inside the home, make sure nitrogen will have a greater number of are primarily either botanical, soap, a 70% neem oil product. Neem oil is that any cracks at the foundation or chinch bug eggs laid and adults feed- mineral or biological. considered an insecticide, miticide (spi- where pipes or wiring enter the house ing than St. Augustine that has been Botanical insecticides include hor- der mites), and a fungicide (especially

4 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com powdery mildew), so it has multiple for this product to work. Retreatment ming pool filters, and should be avoided. functions. may be necessary, as often as weekly, if Biological control of pests calls for Besides being oil that smothers in- coverage isn’t complete. There can be enlisting the good bugs that are natural- sects, it primarily acts as a growth regu- phytotoxicity in some plants so test a ly in the environment or a concentrated lator and feeding deterrent for the in- small portion of the plant then watch use of a natural enemy. You are prob- sects feeding on a sprayed plant. I am for leaf burn before spraying the whole ably familiar with lady bugs, but some sure that you have heard about the bed plant. These sprays are generally effec- other ravenous natural enemies that live bug problems that are cropping up here tive against most small, soft-bodied in- in Florida include green lacewings, big- in the US. Besides being a great pes- eyed bugs, minute pirate bugs, some ticide for the landscape, cold-pressed ants, soldier and stink bugs, parasitic neem oil was recently registered as a flies and wasps, spiders and parasitic Photo courtesy Gary Alpert, Harvard University, control for bed bugs with the US En- mites. Bugwood.org vironmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you learn to identify them, you Bed bug Oils from oranges and other citrus will start to notice them when you are fruit peels are distilled to make d-lim- scouting your landscape, especially if homeowner, it is probably best to pro- onene and linalool. Both of these com- you are not using chemical pesticides. vide a healthy environment (no chemi- pounds are insecticidal contact poisons The University of Florida publication cal pesticides) for the natural enemies, or nerve toxins that are considered safe “Natural Enemies and Biological Con- and they will come when there are pests for use around humans and pets. Com- trol” (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in120) is a to be controlled. mercial products are usually called “d- good source for information on these As more and more people become Limonene.” The EPA has registered Photo courtesy Albert (Bud) Mayfield, USDA Forest controls. aware of the dangers of synthetic chem- these products to use against fleas, Service, Bugwood.org One bacterium that occurs naturally ical pesticides, there is more informa- aphids and mites. However, they also Leafcurl ash aphid in soil and that is an especially useful bi- tion available on safer alternatives. seem effective for fire ants, paper wasps, ological control is Bacillus thuringiensis Many people – even in Florida – have crickets and some flies. sects such as aphids, scales, mealybugs, (Bt). It is sprayed on plants or applied discovered that using natural products whiteflies and spider mites. to the soil and it is toxic to caterpillars, to combat pests is as effective as the Mineral pesticides include sulfur, certain types of beetle grubs, and mos- chemicals. There is a lot of information copper, borax, baking soda and diato- quito and black fly larva. This bacteria out there, particularly on the University maceous earth. Sulfur is one of the old- produces a poison that paralyzes the gut of Florida website, so do some addition- est pesticides around. It can be used as a of the pest, causing death from starva- al research. You might find that once dust or liquid, primarily for controlling tion. Different strains of the bacteria you begin to use more natural ways to diseases such as powdery mildew, rust are used for plant-feeding caterpillars, combat pests, you have more beneficial and leaf blight But thrips, psyllids and grubs and mosquitoes. This pesticide insects and possibly more wildlife in mites can also be controlled. Sulfur can- is safe for use around pets and humans. your landscape to enjoy. not be used with other pesticides, espe- However, since butterfly larvae are cat- Pam Brown earned a master’s degree cially horticultural oils. Serious damage erpillars, too, this product should be in ornamental horticulture from Virginia Photo courtesy Alton N. Sparks, Jr., University of to the plants can occur. used carefully near plants where butter- Tech. She served as the University of Flor- Georgia, Bugwood.org Minerals also can be used to treat flies deposit their eggs. ida Urban Horticulture Extension Agent Scarabs or scarab beetles termites. One product containing a Some natural enemies can be pur- in Pinellas County for eight years and cur- mineral compound of boron and oxy- chased, but you will be most successful rently serves as president of Pampered Gar- A very concentrated proprietary or- gen called borate is also used as a treat- if the natural enemy is matched careful- deners (www.pamperedgardeners.com). ange oil product called XT2000 Orange ment for termites. When mixed with a ly to the pest needing control. For the Oil Plus is marketed to treat dry wood glycol product that allows the borate to termites as a more environmentally penetrate into wood, this product ef- safe alternative than whole-house tent- fectively protects against termites and ing using toxic gas. With this method, other wood-feeding insects as well as which must be applied by a trained and mold damage. It is primarily used when certified pesticide operator, the orange a structure is being built so that all the oil is injected into the wood determined wood can be coated during construc- to have active dry wood termites where tion. One product called Bora-Care it kills them. This orange oil product is lists the following pests controlled: not used to treat for the subterranean subterranean, Formosan, drywood, and termites most often found in the Tampa dampwood termites; powder, anobiid Bay region. and post beetles; old house borers; car- Insecticidal soaps are potassium salts penter ants; brown rot, white rot and of fatty acids. They are similar to com- wood-decay fungi. mon household soaps but have been Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized specifically selected for their ability shell remains of diatoms (one-celled to kill insects. They seem to work by algae with silica shells). It removes the disrupting the cell membranes or by waxy layer of some insects or pierces removing the protective wax covering the soft bodies of slugs and snails so of the insect so that it dies from water that they dry out and die. The “natural- loss. There is no residual activity, so the grade” DE is safe to use around humans Photo by Pam Brown insects must be covered by the spray and pets.. Filter-grade is sold for swim- Pam Brown's personal arsenal of non-toxic pest control.

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 5 Regional Report Card Highlights Impacts to Tampa Bay

By Victoria Parsons Connector creates a bypass over busy surface roads in historic . Tampa Bay – the region – made na- Currently port activities generate al- tional news when the American Society most $8 billion in economic impact and of Civil Engineers gave it a C for infra- support nearly 100,000 jobs, with ad- structure, one of the best grades given ditional opportunities for growth when so far in an ongoing report card. the Panama Canal opens in 2014. “The So what does that mean for Tampa are well-funded and they’re mak- Bay, the body of water? ing good investments,” he notes. “The About the same, concludes Elie Araj, economic downturn didn’t hurt them president of Applied Sciences Consult- much.” ing and chairman of the report card Bridges over Tampa Bay also were committee. rated above average with a B-. Nearly The region’s top grade – an A for Photo courtesy Pinellas County Tourist Development Council. 75% of the bridges are in excellent or Tampa Bay's award-winning beaches earned an A on the region's report card. coastal areas – doesn’t count, however, good condition structurally but far few- because it applies strictly to Pinellas er provide adequate service for current The big issues remaining for the Araj said. County beaches where federal dollars levels of traffic. Additionally, funding Tampa Bay estuary are stormwater along Along with damage to the bay caused help minimize the impact of ongoing has been cut and may not be sufficient with roads and transit – no surprise to by contaminants in stormwater, pushing erosion. On the other hand, you can to maintain current bridges and build most people who live here. Roads and the problem down the road may have disregard a D- in education because it new ones in response to increased popu- transit impact the bay because deposi- severe economic impacts for the region. doesn’t have a direct impact on the estu- lations. tion from auto emissions contributes a The Tampa Bay Nitrogen Manage- ary, he explains. The region got a C+ for water, in- significant portion of the contamination ment Consortium has been recognized Ports, including both the Port of cluding potable, reclaimed and waste- in Tampa Bay. Still, stormwater remains nationally for its accomplishments in Tampa and Port Manatee near the water, but the report warns that the the biggest issue impacting the Tampa voluntarily reducing nitrogen loadings mouth of the bay, earned the region a water system is susceptible to natural Bay estuary and it earned the region’s to Tampa Bay. However, new state and B+ for investing in infrastructure, par- disasters. Funding only “marginally” lowest grade – a D-, so we nearly flunk. federal regulations, spurred by a series ticularly preparing for the opening of covers maintenance costs and does not Even worse, it’s the primary source of of lawsuits, are restricting contaminants the expanded Panama Canal (see Bay address planned capital improvements. contaminants in Tampa Bay, contribut- to current levels even as the region con- Soundings, Fall 2009). “I don’t know how Aging infrastructure also is an issue ing more than 60% of the problem ni- tinues to grow. (See Bay Soundings, Fall many people realize how important the but Hillsborough and Pinellas coun- trogen to the estuary. 2012) ports are to our local economy,” Araj ties as well as the city of St. Petersburg “Not only do we not have funds for It’s not clear how the rules and per- said. “The more I learned about what have aggressive maintenance campaigns capital improvements, funding for day- mitting will actually work, but the the ports are doing, the more impressed to prevent leaks in water and wastewa- to-day maintenance has been steadily Southwest Florida Water Manage- I was.” ter systems. “We’re still doing okay in cut,” Araj said. “It’s hard for storm- ment District and state Department of At the Port of Tampa, a new Gate- terms of meeting federal and state stan- water to compete with parks, libraries Environmental Protection will strictly way Rail Terminal is the state’s first on- dards for water quality and wastewater and police when local budgets are be- limit new development that impacts dock train with intermodal container discharge but we’re going to need more ing cut. Most people don’t even realize capabilities. For trucks, the nearly com- money to meet needs as the region con- “impaired” surface water. (About three- stormwater systems exist until they stop quarters of rivers, lakes and streams in plete Interstate 4 – Selmon Expressway tinues to grow,” Araj said. working and their homes flood.” the Tampa Bay region are considered And maintaining even simple storm- impaired because they do not meet at water structures is expensive. “For least one of the state’s standards for wa- instance, Hillsborough County has a ter quality.) thousand square miles of land – that’s For any new construction, develop- a lot of ditches to mow, pipes to keep ers must show that stormwater leaving clean and repair – even before you start the property meets a “net improvement on lakes which have their own prob- requirement” unless local governments lems. Residents pay a $12 per home fee make other improvements in the water- to cover those costs, but it’s the bare shed to balance out the impact. minimum to do much-needed mainte- “New technologies will make it pos- nance.” sible for us to meet those criteria, but In Pasco, where much of the devel- we’ll all need to start paying more at- opment took place after state rules re- tention to stormwater,” Araj said. “Peo- quired more effective stormwater treat- ple who may not know anything about ment, residents pay $47 a year; Pinellas stormwater right now will start to care County doesn’t have a stormwater fee one day – and we’ll all need more educa- Photo by Victoria Parsons but many of its municipalities do, and tion about how our day-to-day actions Coastal restorations like those at Cockroach Bay weren't included in the regional report the city of St. Petersburg has an excep- impact Tampa Bay.” card but certainly add to quality of life. tionally good maintenance program,

6 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com Project Aims to Improve Water Quality in Old Tampa Bay

By Marcia Biggs a source of concern. Summer rains combined with poor drainage caused SAFETY HARBOR - One can hard- ELEPHANT constant pooling and pollution runoff ly find a more cerebral place on Tampa into the bay. The flat geography was Bay than Safety Harbor. BITES the main culprit, according to Ray Bo- Here along the upper northwest ler, Safety Harbor’s director of public shore of Old Tampa Bay, mangroves works. create refuges for a variety of shorebirds This is part of a series “Pools of stormwater would collect and other marine creatures. Pelicans of stories called “Elephant on the west side of the street, wash across fly above the pier where fishermen cast Bites,” that looks at innovative the asphalt and drain into the bay,” he lines and nets in search of snook, mullet designs local governments and explained. “During extreme high tides, and redfish, while dolphins and manatee developers are using to capture water from the bay might even reach frolic nearby. Along a paved trail that nutrients before they enter the street, drawing pollution, trash and hugs the shoreline, bicyclists and run- surface waters. Learn more oak leaves back down with it.” ners enjoy a scenic view of the bay and at http://www.baysoundings. In 2010, the city won grant funding the calm, shallow waters are favorites com/Stories/elephant.asp. for a $2.6 million project that would al- for kayakers and paddle boarders. leviate pollution from stormwater run- But beneath the surface, trouble is off by improving drainage along South looming. Testing has found the wa- Bayshore Boulevard. With $1.3 million ter quality here lags behind the rest of from the FDEP and $800,000 from Tampa Bay. In this watershed area, Mul- Southwest Florida Water Management Stormwater along South Bayshore Boule- let Creek, Alligator Lake and the Lake vard is diverted into swales and beneath District, the city committed another Tarpon overflow canal drain directly the street into baffle boxes. $96,000. The Safety Harbor Stormwa- into the bay, bringing nitrogen-laden ter Improvement Plan would include runoff from the surrounding communi- ters annually, Boler added. roadway and sidewalk improvements, ties. A series of large algae blooms have Construction started in September including replacing the Bayshore side- plagued Old Tampa Bay in recent sum- 2011 with an initial completion date of walk trail and sewer lines. Even though mers, and Tampa Bay Estuary Program June 2012, but a series of delays kept the sewers had not reached a state of is conducting a comprehensive, large- A series of baffle boxes capture road- pushing back the completion date. Fi- advanced deterioration, replacing them scale research effort to identify causes side stormwater. nally in March, the final stages were now would preclude the need to exca- and potential remedies. completed with the addition of three vate the roadway at a future date, said According to TBEP scientists, more trient pollution and poor circulation landscaped traffic islands in the middle Boler. than half the nitrogen entering Tam- that is driving the muck problem,” says of South Bayshore for beautification. pa Bay comes from stormwater run- TBEP Senior Scientist Ed Sherwood. Even before the Safety Harbor off from urban and residential areas. “We’re looking at various models that Designing for Geography stormwater project was complete, Stormwater, the water that runs off the would improve circulation, but pre- Since the land is flat, a swale had to good news arrived. TBEP’s 2012 Wa- land with rainfall, carries with it fertil- venting further stormwater inputs into be formed between the street and the ter Quality Report released in Febru- izer and pesticide residues, as well as that area will certainly add to the future trail sidewalk by realigning and raising ary shows marked improvement in Old trash. Excess nitrogen accelerates algae health of that area of the bay.” the elevation of the sidewalk and raising Tampa Bay since 2011. Water quality growth, limiting the amount of sunlight the elevation of the street. Safety Har- standards jumped from the red designa- reaching seagrasses and hindering a Looking for Solutions bor hired Cardno TBE of Clearwater to tion (inadequate to support seagrass) to healthy marine ecosystem. Research has Preserving the environmentally sen- design a project that would pipe storm- green (meeting water quality targets to linked a build-up of thick, noxious muck sitive land that makes Safety Harbor water under Bayshore and into large support seagrass). In fact, all segments in Old Tampa Bay near Safety Harbor unique is a priority for city officials. But concrete baffle boxes which remove of the bay met water quality targets in to stormwater runoff high in nitrogen. for years, winding Bayshore Boulevard trash and sediment before entering 2012, for only the fourth time since bay- “It’s actually a combination of nu- south of Safety Harbor Spa has been the swale. The 5,000-linear-foot swale wide assessments began in 1974. is large enough to remove over 7,300 “This is an impressive testament pounds of pollution from the stormwa- to the collective efforts of both local ter runoff each year. governments and private industries to The eight baffle boxes, which range reduce pollution in the bay, especially in size from 5x11 feet to 10x16 feet, are when you consider that the population situated at various locations along South around the bay has grown by more than Bayshore where they will remove sus- 1 million people since 1974,” said Holly pended solids as the water flows through Greening, TBEP executive director. a series of chambers and filters. The fil- “Tampa Bay is one of the few estuaries tered stormwater then flows through in the nation that is showing this kind of channels into the bay. City crews will be sustained improvement.” responsible for vacuuming the contents Marcia Biggs is a freelance writer who Roseate spoonbills are a common sight along the shoreline in Safety Harbor. of the baffle boxes and cleaning the fil- lives in Safety Harbor.

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 7 YYoouu CCaann HHeelplp SSaavvee FrFrooggss By Avalon Theisen them disappear so fast? There are many nies like Digital Frog International and different threats, and here are just a few Froguts offer frog dissection software When you think of a frog, what of them: for home and school use. This frog- comes to mind? Slimy? Hopping? Fly- • Destruction of their habitat friendly dissection costs less, has less eating? Green? Well, those things may (when their homes are destroyed to be smell and best of all, there are no dead describe some frogs, but did you know replaced by people’s construction) frogs! that frogs represent so much more? In • Pollution Another great way to help frogs fact, frogs represent the health of the • Chemicals, including fungicides is to become a citizen scientist, a per- environment, both locally and globally. and pesticides sprayed in backyards son who does science by being part of Think about a kitchen sponge. When across the country fun activities and projects. My favorite you put it under water, what happens? • Overharvesting for the pet/food citizen scientist activity is working as a The sponge absorbs the water, and parts trades (when amphibians are taken from frog listening volunteer. Did you know of anything that is in it. Frog skin acts in nature to be sold as pets or food), that every species of frog has a differ- a very similar way, and is often referred • Even cats that like to pounce on ent call, or sound? Frog listening helps to as permeable. Permeable just means small creatures are a threat to amphib- you identify frogs solely by their calls. things like chemicals and gases pass ians. First, you learn the calls by going to through it easily. So if there is some- When I heard about the challenges workshops, or online. Once you pass thing wrong in the environment, frogs amphibians are facing, I knew I needed the quiz, you can go out in nature and are going to be one of the first creatures to find a way to help, and I put my fo- report what you hear to help working to be affected by it. cus on frogs. Luckily, there are many scientists. It’s just that easy, and a great According to biologist Dr. Kerry small things that ordinary people, espe- way to get outdoors! Kriger, who founded the organization Photo by Deborah Theisen cially children, can do. You can pick up Being a Cuban Treefrog Citizen Sci- Save the Frogs!, amphibian species Ben Johnson with Conserve It Forward trash and also build new frog habitat. It entist is another way to help in Florida. naturally disappear at the rate of one mascot Clover and and Avalon Theisen. doesn’t have to be as complicated as a Cuban treefrogs are invasive – not na- species every 250 years. Unfortunately, pond, you can just use things like PVC phibian, make sure it was captive-bred tive to our state. That means that they about 200 species have completely dis- pipe, old Tupperware, rocks, dirt and and not taken from the wild. Is it time are not here naturally, but because of appeared since 1980! What’s making water. If you are going to get a pet am- for frog dissection at school? Compa- something that people did. Cuban tree- frogs cause all kinds of trouble for our native treefrogs, native ecosystems and people. Not only do they eat our native treefrogs and tadpoles, but they also compete with them for space and food. These treefrogs can be much larger than our native treefrogs and they are basically bullying them -- and that is why they can take over ecosystems. As a Cuban Treefrog Citizen Scientist, you can learn to identify and report this spe- cies to help scientists know where they are. To learn more about Cuban Tree- frog Citizen Science, please visit http:// ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/citizen_sci.shtml. With all this information, I started to talk to other people about what I had been learning by doing things like setting up frog info booths, giving pre- sentations and leading frog listening Photo by Rafael Alvarez hikes. My projects eventually turned Participants at the 2012 Tampa area Save the Frogs Day event pose for a group photo at Camp Bayou. into a non-profit organization called

8 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com Florida Frog Links

Florida’s Frogs UF Wildlife – Johnson Lab http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/florida.shtml

Frogs & Toads of Florida UF Florida Wildlife Extension http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/frogstoads/

Checklist of Florida Frogs and Toads Florida Museum of Natural History http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/checklist/frogstoads.htm Photo by Deborah Theisen Above, Avalon explains the call of a bullfrog while leading a frog listening hike. Audio presentation by the Hillsborough River Watershed Alli- Right, Frog Day volunteer CK Gordon ance, including downloadable frog calls demonstrates frog-saving pool tools. http://www.hillsborough.wateratlas.usf.edu/fln/audio.aspx

Conserve It Forward. One exciting free event that we host every year at Camp Frog Citizen Science Links Bayou Outdoor Learning Center in Ruskin is Tampa Bay’s regional Save the FrogWatch USA Frogs Day event. Save the Frogs Day is http://www.aza.org/frogwatch/. a world-wide celebration of amphibian Photo by Rafael Alvarez education and conservation. The Tampa area chapter is the Frog Listening Network that is a Our event has fun games and ac- Clover, our mascot frog. That’s just a partnership between the Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance tivities to help people learn about frogs few of the fun activities we’re planning and Lowry Park Zoo. To contact them directly, email Frogs@ and the environment, including chal- for April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We LowryParkZoo.com lenges frogs face, and solutions people will all come together at 1 p.m. for the can put to use. You Human Frog Chorus, where people North American Amphibian Monitoring Program might enjoy compar- croak just like frogs for a video to raise http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/ ing your jump to that awareness for amphibian conservation. of a frog’s, learning Everybody receives a ribbon to wear Cuban Treefrog Citizen Science about what frogs eat showing they croaked in the Human http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/citizen_sci.shtml by playing “feed the Frog Chorus. frog” cornhole, or After the chorus, the event ends with Amphibian Conservation Groups getting a temporary a prize drawing. Every attendee gets one Save the Frogs! frog tattoo. Be part of free prize drawing ticket, but more are a frog talk/frog walk available for purchase. Prizes depend on www.SaveTheFrogs.com combo, and meet what gets donated, but in the past we’ve had handmade jewelry, inflatable frogs, The Amphibian Specialist Group frog art, frog identification guides, tree- http://www.amphibians.org/ frog houses made from PVC pipe, and a grand prize of Froguts digital dissection Amphibian Ark software. http://www.amphibianark.org/ I invite you and all your friends to pre-register for the Tampa Bay area Conserve It Forward Save The Frogs Day event at www. www.ConserveItForward.org ConserveItForward.org, where you can also see the most current schedule and Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy information. This event is free, with a http://amphibianandreptileconservancy.org/ suggested donation of $5 per person. I hope to see you there! Avalon Theisen of ConserveItForward. The Sticky Tongue Project org has been recognized internationally http://thestickytongue.org/ for her conservation efforts. With a goal Photo by Rafael Alvarez of working for National Geographic when Wendell’s Frog Blog Games like "Stamp Out the Threats to she grows up, her hobbies include traveling https://www.facebook.com/wendellsfrogblog Frogs" and "Feed the Frog"were big hits abroad and animal handling, especially am- with participants. phibians.

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 9 Perils of Plastic I asked Dr. Ernst Peebles from the concern about what’s happening on a fed them plastic shaped like krill or From page 1 USF College of Marine Science why, bacterial level to all that plastic invisible eggs -- which is why so many bottle containers, cleaner and oil bottles, with all this trash entering Tampa Bay, under bay waters. At first, it’s covered tops are found among their skeletal fishing line, lures, nets, night sticks, we aren’t seeing our own gyres. “It’s the with bacteria and algae, and eventu- remains. Closer to home, Florida rope, straps, crates, ice chests, plastic ocean currents that lift the trash into ally barnacles, but underneath the new gulls and other scavengers consume sheeting, light bulbs, and pallets. whirlpools. We don’t have that much growth, the plastic continues to break plastic in their quest for food and • Dumping is where the really big circulation in the bay. Currents are down, eventually becoming part of the suffer the same fate. Even the tini- stuff comes from -- appliances, bat- relatively calm so things just become water column. “Bacteria are incredibly est of fish are found to have plastic teries, building materials, tires -- and waterlogged and sink.” important in moving energy through particles in their guts. Imagine hav- more. You get the picture. Both Peebles and Froeschke voiced the ecosystem,” says Peebles, “but they ing to swim with what are basically are the last to be considered.” plastic floatation devices in your Another big problem with plastics stomach that offer you no nutrition. is the fact that they break down over • Constricting Plastic: The internet a period of centuries, not years, notes is filled with photos of birds and Chris Johnson, project manager for animals strangled, deformed and Keep Pinellas Beautiful. “And we’re starved by plastic wrapped around seeing a lot more plastic – doctors are torsos and appendages. Virtually ev- telling people to drink water, Gatorade ery boater has a story of untangling and beverages like Propel which might monofilament line and other plastic be good for them but aren’t healthy for detritus from their propellers. environment.” • Toxic Chemicals: As far back as Combining the rising costs 1998, researchers were concerned of petroleum with con- about BPA (Bisphenol A), a toxic en- sumer concerns about docrine disruptor that leaches from plastic, industry has plastics. In fact, BPA is only one of created smaller bottles several toxic chemicals re- and smaller bottle caps. Several counties, includ- ing Hillsborough, are moving toward single- stream recycling which makes it easier for people to participate and recycled plastic Colorful fish made from recycled becomes more valu- plastic bottles and caps by artist able every time the cost of oil Brenda Gregory. goes up. Participants in the Community Stepping Stones mural learned about plastic trash while Of course, not all plastic immedi- doing beach clean-ups. ately breaks down and the larger pieces leased as large molecules when plas- create a variety of problems: tics like polyvinylchloride (PVC), • Biodiversity Displacement: Plastic polystyrene (styrofoam), polyethyl- is a magnet for bacteria and algae. ene (bags) and the 80-plus other pet- Ocean buoys are being found with rochemical plastics break down in coral heads beginning to grow on water. Sand on beaches around the them. This new habitat in the center world (including Tampa Bay) now of the deep ocean means that invad- harbors vast quantities of grain-sized ing surface feeders begin to show up. plastic pellets. In the Bahamas, there When the deep ocean fish come up are beaches that are almost 100% to feed at night, they find their food plastic. A 2010 article in Science sources have been depleted. Shifts of News describes a Japanese study of a similar nature could be happening beach sand at 28 popular global sites, in our bay. all of which reported toxicity from • Starvation by Plastic Blockage: The BPAs that were “orders of magni- poster children of plastic ingestion tude” greater than those sufficient to are the sea turtles who consume cause negative effects in animal and bags, believing they are jellyfish. lab studies. (Luckily, that’s only an occasional is- sue in Tampa Bay, according to Bill So Where’s the “Better News?” Sanders at Keep Pinellas Beautiful.) As the awareness of the global ocean Photo by Sigrid Tidmore More disturbing are the hundreds of crisis grows, local groups are taking A bird skeleton found on Caladesi Island clearly shows that it had eaten plastic pieces thousands of Pacific albatross chicks, action. Keep Pinellas Beautiful’s Recy- before it died. dead because their unwitting parents cling Regatta, to be held on April 20

10 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com this year, highlights the dangers of plas- is our best hope that individuals will de- tics in marine ecosystems. Keep Tampa cide to modify their plastics addiction. What you can do: Bay Beautiful scheduled a separate Within the last two years, media atten- • Use your own water bottle, mug, utensils and bag at work. clean-up after the Gasparilla parade, tion is beginning to acknowledge the • Say “No plastic straw please” when you dine out. largely to collect plastic water bottles impending problems and Hollywood is • Buy products that come with the least amount of plastic and unwanted beads. beginning to crank out a series of “plas- packaging. Another newly organized nonprofit tic alert” movies, like the award-winning is the Tampa Bay Green Consortium Bag It, (visit www.Bagitmovie.com or at- • Pick up five pieces of plastic pollution every day. (www.tampabaygreenconsortium.org). tend the Tampa Bay Sierra Club screen- • Volunteer to clean up litter. The Great American Clean-up is TBGC was begun about a year ago by ing on April 22.) National Geographic scheduled for April 27 in Hillsborough and March 9 through June environmental veterans who wanted to has a new site specifically for teachers 29 in Pinellas. Keep Manatee Beautiful will host a series of events offer a platform for coordinating di- on the “perils of plastic” (http://edu- throughout April and Pasco expects hundreds of volunteers to fan verse groups working on beach and wa- cation.nationalgeographic.com/educa- out across the county on April 20. Learn more about local events terway clean-ups. For instance, TBGC tion/activity/perils-plastic/?ar_a=10) to at www.kab.org. coordinates “Divers Against Debris” lo- teach kids to be more careful about us- cally for the international organization, ing plastics. And in California, like Flor- • Spread the word that a little less plastic goes a long way. Use Project Aware. The trio also enlists vol- ida, where tourism is a major industry, your own shopping bags, avoid plastic bottles and always recycle unteers from , USF the state recently funded a study detail- the plastic you must use! and local dive clubs to survey underwa- ing the impact of plastic debris – includ- ter marine debris, collect data and or- ing micro-plastics that may become part chestrate clean-ups. of the food chain (http://calost.org/pdf/ “We try to remove serious envi- science-initiatives/marine%20debris/ ronmental hazards from around heav- Highlights_Plastic%20Debris%20Re- Tampa Bay Sierra Club ily used piers, such as fishing line tan- port_FINAL.pdf). will present a gles, lost nets and non-biodegradable As statistics-weary consumers, it’s FREE SCREENING refuse,” says Dan Fisher, one of the easy to glaze over when we hear litanies of Bag It at 7 pm on group’s founders. “This restores habi- of depressing facts about impending April 22 at the tat and safety to the area. Sometimes doom. Fortunately, artistic expressions Hillsborough Community the group’s free services are met with have the power to gain our attention College Performing Arts resistance from skeptics, bureaucrats and make a massive concept become a Building, 1304 E. 11th Ave., and reluctant pier managers who aren’t personal mission. Visual and perform- Ybor City. inclined to shut their piers for a couple ing artists worldwide are taking up the hours once a year while divers do their cause of saving our oceans from certain work. Fisher is circumspect, “I guess it synthetic doom. Just Google “Upcy- will take more public education before cled Art” or “Plastic Art” and you’ll be everyone appreciates that clearing out amazed. the trash now will improve the fishing Which brings me back to the Com- in the long run.” munity Stepping Stones mural, “One The data that Fisher and his volun- Waterway One Tampa Bay.” As we teers collect about the refuse they re- sorted through the thousands of diverse move is sent to Project Aware and the plastic items we retrieved from local Ocean Conservancy, where it is com- beaches, we realized we were witnesses piled into a national annual report. to a system gone crazy. We were com- Fisher sees a time when cleanups might pelled to sound the alert. Today, the be compensated for the marine waste resulting 12-by-8-foot mural hangs in they remove by selling it to the waste- the VIP Suite level of the Tampa Bay to-energy industry as the cost of petro- Times Forum speaking its lesson to the leum continues to rise. thousands of people who will pass it this In response to public concern, the year. plastics industry is moving towards All of us who worked on the project more recyclable products. The non- have had our lives changed. Our teens profit Biodegradable Plastics Institute elected to make our campus a “water (www.bpiworld.org) offers education, bottle free zone,” and they’re much scientifically based standards and certi- more conscientious about getting the fication for new plastic products which trash out. Me? I’m a bit nostalgic drink- are biodegradable in central compost- ing water from my paper cup and re- ing facilities. Retailers as diverse as membering a time when there weren’t Whole Foods and Sears have moved to any plastics in paradise. fully compostable plastic shopping bags. Sigrid Tidmore is an environmental We can only hope that the ocean’s “cen- writer and illustrator who also serves as the tral composting facility” is able to safely executive director of Community Stepping handle these new products. Stones (www.CommunitySteppingStones. For now, increased public awareness org).

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 11 Fun Facts Spring-Breakers Help Restore Tampa Bay Approximately 1/3 of Florida’s coral species can be found in the Pi- Not all college students on break nellas County Aquatic Preserve. come to Florida for the beaches and Locally, the aquatic preserves parties. habitat includes sandy beaches, Ten students from Ohio State Uni- mangrove-dominated shorelines, oyster bars, seagrass beds, coral versity (OSU) recently spent their communities and spring-fed caves. spring break helping the Tampa Bay At least five species of bats for- Aquatic Preserves (TBAP) program age for insects over the waters in with habitat restoration work. During Terra Ceia. A single bat can eat their one-week experience, students thousands of insects in one evening. cleaned trash from remote shorelines The name “Cockroach Bay” may and removed exotic plants such as Bra- have originated with early explorers zilian pepper and Australian pine from who observed numerous horseshoe natural barrier and man-made spoil is- crabs in the area. Cockroach Bay is the only aquat- lands so that future groups can plant na- ic preserve in Florida in which the tive plants to support local wildlife. submerged land of the preserve is OSU’s Buck-I-SERV program is Photo courtesy Ohio State University not state-owned. The submerged one of many alternative spring break Ten students from Ohio State University spent their spring break helping clean up and lands are owned by the Tampa Port programs that have become increas- restore islands in the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve. Authority. ingly popular in recent years. The uni- The Cockroach Bay preserve in- cludes two paddling trails that wind versity plans approximately 50 annual other local and national organizations. Dr. Runnels says college students are through mangrove labyrinths. substance-free service projects outside “We can get plenty of people to clean enthusiastic and committed volunteers. of the Columbus area during winter, up a nice beach,” says TBAP Manager Another group from OSU affiliated spring and summer academic breaks. Dr. Randy Runnels. “Some of our most with the National Society of MANRRS Food, Agricultural and Environmental Groups of students work alongside one valuable habitat is in remote areas that (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Re- Sciences’ multi-cultural student services agency to learn more about the needs can be difficult to access with short-term sources and Related Sciences) spent part director, has been very pleased with the and capacities of that organization, its volunteers and expensive to restore us- of their Christmas break working at the results of these efforts. “They provide a impact in the local community and how ing contractors. For a small program TBAP. When they have some free time chance for us to partner with organiza- it connects to their community in Co- like ours, having such skillful, energetic they enjoy taking a small boat or kayak tions doing work that we feel passionate lumbus. The Tampa Bay Aquatic Pre- assistance greatly increases our capacity out to explore other islands in the pre- about and combine in-class theoretical serves program hosts three OSU groups to protect natural resources over a large serve. ideas with hands-on, real world applica- each year, as well as volunteers from geographic area.” Pamela Thomas, OSU College of tions.”

Air Pollution count for four times as much nitrogen requiring 27 Eastern states to reduce spective as well as the environmental Continued from page 1 loading to Tampa Bay as discharges pollution from both mobile and sta- issue,” said Amy Ellis, TBARTA com- from municipal sewage treatment tionary sources -- could bring about a munications director. “Any of the al- emissions in our area because they re- plants and industry combined. 24% reduction in nitrogen deposition ternatives to driving alone in a car is lease emissions from tall stacks that • About 17% of the nitrogen load- to Tampa Bay. And new federal stan- going to help reduce emissions that travel great distances. However, emis- ing to Tampa Bay comes from direct dards for automobile fuel efficiency end up in Tampa Bay.” sions from automobiles and trucks deposition on the bay itself, while will lead to cleaner cars on our road- Learn more: have a larger impact locally, because 40% comes from air pollution that ways in coming years. http://www.tbeptech.org/TBEP_ those emissions are generated low to falls on the watershed and is washed to Individuals play an important role TECH_PUBS/2012/TBEP_04_12_ the ground. “Local mobile sources – the bay in stormwater. in improving our air and water quality. BRACE_Public_Document.pdf, including cars and trucks -- have a dis- • Two-thirds of the nitrogen de- How we drive, what we drive and how the Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s citizen proportionate impact because they’re position is contained in dust particles; much we drive all impact our environ- report on atmospheric deposition generated closer to the ground and are one-third comes with rainfall. ment and our wallet. Getting out of www.tampabayrideshare.org for on- less likely to be carried out of the wa- Local and national regulations al- our cars is becoming easier, as regional line ride-matching of carpoolers and bik- tershed by wind,” Cross said. ready are resulting in cleaner air. For transit options are expanded through ers – plus the “guaranteed ride home” for Additionally, Cross said, a large example, local power plant upgrades, ridesharing, designated bicycle lanes, emergencies portion of our air pollution comes including replacing coal-burning and improved bus rapid transit. Many www.getreadytampabay.org for more from outside the Tampa Bay area, plants with natural gas facilities and of these initiatives are led by the Tam- information about electric car charging from an “airshed” that’s stretches installing nitrogen reduction equip- pa Bay Area Regional Transit Author- stations in the region north to Atlanta and south to Cuba. ment on smoke stacks, resulted in a ity (TBARTA). http://baysoundings.com/fall04/fall- Along with identifying the impact 95-ton per year decline in nitrogen “There is a lot more discussion out.html, an earlier cover story about the of automobile emissions, key findings between 2002 and 2012. among elected officials and business BRACE report on atmospheric deposition from BRACE include: If fully implemented by 2020, the leaders about transportation, from • Atmospheric sources now ac- federal Clean Air Interstate Rule -- both an economic development per-

12 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com Rebuilding Tampa Bay When I arrived at Williams Park From page 16 boat ramp near the mouth of the Ala- fia River, a group of Mosaic volunteers moved the shell in about 2,000 plastic and the TBW team were ready to get to mesh bags that each weighed about 30 work. The Environmental Protection pounds each. Commission of Hillsborough County Once the shell is in place, it will at- and the Florida Wildlife Research In- tract juvenile oysters almost immedi- stitute provided their boats to transport ately. “You can start to see small oysters the oyster shells. Additionally, TBW after about three months under ideal had two boats and one of their long- conditions,” said Peter Clark, TBW time volunteers had another. president. “After about two years, the Clark and Kevin Misiewicz, TBW’s oyster shell reef will have a mature environmental scientist and project growth of oysters covering the shell manager for the Schultz Preserve, bar.” kicked off the morning with a short Since the 1950s, at least half of the demonstration on how to fill mesh oyster communities in Tampa Bay have bags with the fossilized shells. Volun- been lost due to dredge-and-fill activi- teers would shovel the shell into a PVC ties and other developmental impacts, pipe “sleeved” with a mesh bag. Once Clark said, but populations appear to the PVC form was removed, we’d end Photo courtesy of Sonia Lavina. be stabilizing. What’s needed most is up with an oyster shell bag tied at both TBW Environmental Scientist Kevin Misiewicz and a Mosaic volunteer place shell bags at habitat – areas with hard rough surfaces ends. the Shultz Nature Preserve oyster restoration site. where juvenile oysters can attach, like We loaded the bags into waiting the oyster bars we’re building today. boats, where they would be unloaded in using fossilized shells or recycled ute ride and watched as Misiewicz and The Schultz project is part of TBW’s and deployed by hand in an intricate shells in the environment – they both the Mosaic volunteers strategically Community Oyster Reef Enhance- pattern that mimics natural oyster bars. provide hard-bottom habitat that oys- placed the oyster bags adjacent to the ment (CORE) program. It’s funded Staff from TBW was on-site to ensure ters love,” said Misiewicz. shoreline where they would be covered partially through the largest gift TBW accurate placement and to minimize hu- After the demonstration, half of the by water during high tides. I returned has received in its 20-year history – a man impact on seagrass beds and other Mosaic volunteers began shoveling fos- to the boat ramp with Hange to get an- $225,000 grant from the Mosaic Foun- sensitive habitat. silized shells into the mesh bags while other load of shells. dation to build oyster bars at Schultz Misiewicz explained that although a second group of volunteers assisted in After the first couple of trips, I was and complete other water quality initia- the mesh is made from plastic, it has not the laying of the shell bags. It was clear a little sore but the aches were more tives over the next three years. been shown to have adverse effects on that Melinda Spall, TBW environmen- than outweighed by the feelings of ac- Mosaic also will be actively involved wildlife. “It keeps the oyster shell con- tal specialist, and Serra Herndon, habi- complishment. Hange said it best: “It’s in oyster habitat restoration through tained and is eventually completely en- tat restoration director, had done this a wonderful feeling at the end of the employee volunteer days. “It’s a great crusted with live oyster and is no longer job before as they easily hefted the filled day; your muscles are a little sore. But team building activity. It’s hard work, visible or exposed,” he added. bags onto waiting boats. to go out to the project a year later and it’s dirty but to go out to the bay and see According to Clark, oysters prefer to “These types of oyster restoration see how it grows, it’s a warm feeling you the positive impact it has on the envi- settle and attach to other oyster shells projects are a lot of fun,” said Herndon. have in your heart. I’ll be able to take ronment makes it all worthwhile,” said first, but they will settle on any available “It never ceases to amaze me how dedi- my children and grandchildren to the Christine Smith, community relations hard surface. Fossilized shells from local cated our volunteers are and how hard same project and explain to them how manager for Mosaic. “It’s great what shell mines used in this project provided they work – and getting a good group of they can make a difference during their Tampa Bay Watch is doing and we are a hard surface for oyster larvae to settle volunteers to participate always makes lives and their generation as we did in glad to be a part of it.” upon and grow. “There is no difference our job a lot easier.” ours.” I rode out to the reef-in-progress Personally, I was amazed to see what on a TBW boat with about 70 bags of a positive impact a group of volunteers shell. Adam Hange, a committed TBW can have on the environment in just one volunteer, was driving the boat and Mis- morning. iewicz was also onboard. The bags were And they couldn’t do it without us! not only heavy, they were slippery and “Community volunteers are critical in wet so I was glad to be wearing water our efforts to improve water quality shoes and heavy-duty gardening gloves. and rebuild fish and wildlife habitats in Hange has been volunteering with Tampa Bay,” says Clark. Adds Rachel TBW since 2005, often taking vacation Arndt, TBW volunteer coordinator, time to help out with these projects. “Our volunteers range from children to “You plant the seed and watch it grow retirees, and people of all abilities are year after year and you do it with people needed to assist with our projects.” who have the same kinds of interests To learn more about upcoming TBW that you do,” he said. “It’s a great feel- volunteer opportunities, visit www.Tam- ing and a great way to give back to the paBayWatch.Org or the calendar section of

Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Watch community -- and look, we are out on Bay Soundings at http://www.baysound- Mosaic employees worked with Tampa Bay Watch to build an oyster reef at Shultz Nature a boat!” ings.com/Quarterly-Calendar.asp. Preserve on December 7th 2012. We arrived at the site after a 20-min-

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 13 CALENDARof EVENTS The Bay Soundings calendar CONTACTS lists some of our favorite events Summer is nearly here and the and top trips, but there are many most popular classes are accepting Agency on Bay Management, more events online at www. Tampa Bay Regional Planning baysoundings.com where you applications – and they’ll fill up fast. Council, Pinellas Park, 727-570- will also find more complete Check out our comprehensive list 5151, ext. 32 or www.tbrpc.org information. It is compiled months of nature and science –oriented Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. in advance so we strongly suggest Petersburg, 727- 893-7326 or that you contact organizers to programs at www.baysoundings. www.stpete.org/boyd confirm. To allow additional space com/summercamps for events, contact information is Brooker Creek Preserve / listed at the bottom of the page. Environmental Education Center, Tarpon Springs, 727-582-2100 or april EXHIBITS & ONGOING www.pinellascountyextension.org Camp Bayou, Ruskin, 813-641- 8545 or www.campbayou.org Apr. 13, 9am-noon, Plant ID tour April is Outdoor Water Most Saturdays and First Saturday, 9:30- Second Saturdays, with Manatee Master Gardeners Conservation Month, Sundays, guided nature 10:30am, Friends of Apr., May, Sept., Oct., Clearwater Audubon Society, at DeSoto National Memorial and contact your local walks at Fort DeSoto Brooker Creek Preserve 9am, 727-518-6241 or www. Riverview Pointe Preserve. extension service for Park. Learn more at host the Brooker Book for beginning birders clearwateraudubon.org information on how you www.pinellas county.org/ Club. with Tampa Audubon. Apr. 13, 9am-noon, Your Green can save water. park. Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo, Home – It is Easier Than You Apr. 1-Oct. 1, St. May-Sept., Volunteers 727-582-2100 or flbg.org Wednesdays, 11am- Most Saturdays, Petersburg Sail and needed for bird surveys, Think, Brooker Creek Preserve, Heritage Village, Largo 727-582- registration required. noon, Jungle Boogie, 9-10:30am, Guided Power Squadron bird stewarding and wildlife adventures for hikes at Brooker Creek seminars, pre- rooftop chick checking, 2233 or www.pinellascounty.org/ Apr. 13, 10am-noon, Archaeology kids at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Weedon registration required. St. Petersburg and heritage Works, Weedon Island Preserve, Preserve, St. Petersburg, Island Preserve, pre- Clearwater Audubon First Saturdays, Hillsborough County Extension, registration required. pre-registration required. registration required. societies. 8-11am, Boyd Hill 813-744-5519, www.hillsborough. Apr. 13, 9:30am-12:30pm, Nature’s Thursdays, 10:30- Saturdays, 10am- Nature Preserve monthly June 15-Aug. 24, 10am- ifas.ufl.edu Elements, hands-on learning for 11:15am, Book Time @ 5pm, Kids Ahoy! at the bird walks with St. noon, Booker Creek Manatee County Extension, 941- kids ages 5 to 7, Boyd Hill Nature Brooker Creek Preserve, SS American Victory Petersburg Audubon or Preserve Environmental 722-4524 or http://manatee.ifas. Preserve, registration required. Wee Time at Weedon Ship anchored near Moccasin Lake Nature Education Center, six- ufl.edu Apr. 13-14, 10am-4pm, Spring Island, pre-registration . Park with Clearwater part program on plant required. Audubon. identification. Pasco Native Plant Society, Plant Festival at USF’s Botanical 727-849-2335 or http://www. Gardens, including special pasconativeplants.org workshops on urban farming, tropical trees and organic Pinellas County Extension, 727- Florida native plants, North Tampa Overview for high school students May 22, 3- 5pm, Tampa Bay vegetable gardens. 582-2100 or www.pinellas.ifas.ufl. Library. at Weedon Island Preserve. Estuary Program Community edu Apr. 16, 9-11am, Florida-Friendly Advisory Committee meeting, April 25, 5:30–8:30pm, Crawfish May 11, 10:30-noon, Orchids Garden Tours at Florida Botanical Tampa Bay Regional Planning St. Petersburg Audubon Boil at SS American Victory. and Epiphytes of Brooker Creek Gardens. Groups limited to 10 Council. Society, 727-526-3725 or www. participants, registration required. April 27, 8am-noon, Give A Day Preserve. stpeteaudubon.org or May 24, 5-8pm: Potluck on the for the Bay, invasive plant removal Apr. 16, 7:30pm, Night Hike at May 11, 1-4pm, Going Coastal – Porch at Tampa Bay Watch. St. Petersburg Sail and Power at Camp Bayou in Hillsborough Boyd Hill, pre-registration required. Introduction to Fishing for Youth at Squadron, 727-550-1811 or www. County, sponsored by Tampa Bay Weedon Island Preserve. boating-stpete.org. Apr. 17, 10-11am, Flipping for Estuary Program. june Dolphins, Weedon Island, pre- May 11, 10am-4pm, Relive Tampa Audubon Society, www. registration required. Apr. 25, 26 & 27, 9am-noon, History cruise aboard the SS June 7 & 8, Annual Ed Alber tampaaudubon.org Tampa Bay Watch needs Tarpon Rodeo, an all-release American Victory, one of only four Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Apr. 17, 10-11:30am, Fun-Time volunteers for oyster shell operational World War II merchant fishing tournament to benefit Forestry Hike at Brooker Creek, St. Petersburg, 727-893-2765 or project to restore Schultz Nature marine ships in the country. Tampa Bay Watch. pre-registration required. Preserve. www.tbep.org. For Give a Day May 12, 6pm, Annual Mother's June 13, 9am-noon, Agency on for the Bay information, email Apr. 19, 7pm, Astronomy Night at April 27-28, 9am-4pm, Green Day Coffeepot Bayou Bird Island Bay Management, Tampa Bay [email protected] Boyd Hill, pre-registration required. Thumb Festival, Walter Fuller Regional Planning Council. Boat Trip with St. Petersburg Tampa Bay Watch, Tierra Verde, Park, St. Petersburg. Apr. 19-21, Florida Ornithological Audubon, registration required. www.tampabaywatch.org or 727- Society Spring Meeting in St. Apr. 30, 6:30-8:30pm, Pot Luck May 16, 17, & 18, 9am-noon, july 867-8166 Petersburg, visit www.fosbirds.org. Dinner & Bird Calls with the St. Tampa Bay Watch oyster shell Walter Fuller Park, 727-893-7441 10am- 5pm, Earth Petersburg Audubon Society. Apr. 20 & 21, project to restore Green Key. July 11, 9am-noon, Agency on or www.stpeteparksrec.org Day celebrations throughout the May 18, 9am-3:30pm, Celebrate Bay Management, Tampa Bay Weedon Island Preserve Cultural bay area including Boyd Hill Nature Regional Planning Council. Preserve, the University of South may Forest Day: University of Florida’s and Natural History Center, St. Florida’s Botanical Gardens and School of Forest and Resource July 29- Aug. 2, 9am-4pm, Petersburg, 727-453-6500 or Tropicana Field. May 11, 9-11am, Brooker Creek Conservation at Brooker Creek Herpetology Camp at Brooker www.pinellascountyextension.org Preserve, Exotic Species Day, Preserve. Creek Preserve. Apr. 20, 9am-noon, Florida- University of South Florida registration required. Friendly Landscaping Combo – May 18, 9-11:30am, Micro- Botanical Gardens, 813-974-2329, Compost & Rain Barrel at Manatee May 11, Tampa Audubon Society, irrigation workshop at Manatee august www.gardens.usf.edu County Extension, pre-registration Migratory Bird Count, registration County Extension, pre-registration Walter Fuller Park, 727-893-7441 required. required. required. Aug. 24, Great Bay Scallop or www.stpeteparksrec.org Apr. 23, 6:30pm, Hillsborough May 11, 10-11am, Bright Futures May 19, noon-4pm, Viva Florida Search sponsored by Tampa Bay County Extension program on Ranger Naturalist Program 500 Celebration, Heritage Village. Watch.

14 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com Commentary Opinion

& American Nature Photography Associa- tion has endorsed Ethical Photography Practices; and effective guidelines are Love Hurts! being promoted by the Florida Shore- bird Alliance and even our local Audu- Some Nature Photographers bon chapters. These days, with the innovations in Get too Close digital cameras and lenses, many people can enjoy nature photography and share By Ann Paul and Mark Rachal, their experiences. But because this ac- Audubon Florida tivity has become so popular, it’s criti- The Tampa Bay region supports cal that the places that we value and the some of the largest and most impor- wildlife we love are protected for the fu- tant waterbird nesting colonies in the Photo courtesy Florida Audubon Society. ture. Intrusion and disturbance of birds state. We have bustling tree islands full Nature photographers approaching the Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Sanctuary too closely, at nest, roost, and forage sites when they of brown pelicans and impossibly pink despite warnings by Audubon wardens. are most vulnerable is inexcusable. roseate spoonbills, plus herons, egrets, We ask everyone – boaters, nature white ibis, and wood storks raising their coming serial disturbers. rare wading birds are courting. Surveys photographers, bird-watchers, hikers, young. In other places, birds make small Pressured to deliver the best shots at the Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary are kayakers, beach-goers – while you are hollows in the sand and nest directly on for their customers, many tour leaders finding fewer nesting reddish egrets and near bird nesting colonies, the beaches the beaches. approach the islands too closely. Then roseate spoonbills each year. We fear and shores where birds congregate, Unfortunately, nesting birds are very they allow clients to wade in even closer this troubling decline is due in part to and the habitats where they forage, to vulnerable to disturbance when people with their equipment, past signs and in relentless disturbance by nature pho- be aware of potential impacts, to avoid approach them too closely. As parent spite of being told by Audubon wardens tographers coming to the sanctuary at disturbance, and to set a good example birds flee from approaching observers, that their actions endanger birds. These dawn and dusk which is when courtship for others. eggs and chicks are left exposed to the unscrupulous leaders are harming the occurs. As our area’s human population in- sun, vulnerable to predators like crows, wildlife that they depend upon for their When birds are trying to attract creases, protection of our natural re- and prone to falling from their nests to living, including some of Florida’s rarest mates, their plumage displays are at sources – both the wildlife and the their deaths. species -- reddish egrets, roseate spoon- their most spectacular. Exploiting this habitats that support it – becomes more For more than 75 years, Audubon bills and American oystercatchers. opportunity, photographers wade to challenging. It will take all of us work- wardens in Tampa Bay have been the sandbars where birds gather to select ing together to ensure that the special keepers of these special places. At first, The Damage mates, disrupting the sensitive process. and spectacular bird populations, fish, we protected them from the plume American oystercatchers, among Then, a few weeks later when the pho- dolphins, manatees, turtles, and all the trade and harvest for food that almost Florida’s rarest bird species, are a per- togenic young egrets and spoonbills other wildlife denizens of our commu- drove these birds to extinction. But to- fect example of the problem. They walk fledge but are still being fed by their nity survive in the future. It is both our day, these nesting birds face a new and away from their nests if people approach parents, photographers are there again, responsibility and our sacred trust. unexpected threat: catastrophic distur- by boat or on foot, trusting the excellent creating “no-bird” zones where the bance by nature photographers. And camouflage of their eggs, laid in shal- birds could forage if intruders were not Learn more: worse, a few unscrupulous tour leaders low hollows on the sand just above the present. Visit www.nanpa.org/docs/NANPA- in Tampa Bay are giving nature photog- high tide line, for protection. However, Photographers, having been taught Ethical-Practices.pdf for the National As- raphy a bad name, and threatening the if the day is hot, the sand can cook the to approach too closely by their pho- sociation of Nature Photographers’ ethical future of our area’s vibrant waterbird delicate embryos inside the eggs in min- tography “safari” leaders, return on practices guidelines colonies. utes. Even if the weather is nice, sharp- their own or go to other colony sites. www.flshorebirdalliance.org/Wordpress- eyed aerial predators like fish crows will Fishermen, kayakers, and other boaters, FSA/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/SN- The Problem steal the eggs in the time it takes the hu- having observed the example of photog- PLWG-Photographer-Guidelines020122. You might think “how much dam- man intruders to leave so the adult can raphers in so close, use those distances pdf for the Florida Shorebird Alliance pho- age can one photographer do?” The return to protect the nest. Sad to say, as “guidelines,” creating a continuous tographer guides impacts are cumulative and substan- we have documented photographers cycle of disturbance. www.baysoundings.com/lovehurts for tial. Some nature photographers lead trespassing on posted sanctuary shore- comments from local nature photographers customers on photo “safaris,” including lines, and watched as crows stole eggs How You Can Help? on how to ethically capture images while re- vulnerable nesting colonies among their from oystercatcher nests while the help- Give the birds room and set a good specting wildlife – and photos of some who destinations. With clients in tow, some less parents hovered nearby. example. blatantly ignore sanctuary boundaries. paying $450 per day to be escorted to Less visible but just as harmful for Of course, most nature photogra- prime sites, these tour operators are be- birds are intrusions that occur when phers are not unethical. The North

Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com 15 Spring 2013 BAYSOUNDINGS.COM PRSRT STD this issue U.S. POSTAGE inside BaySoundingsCOVERING THE TAMPA BAY WATERSHED PAID 1 The Perils of Plastic 7 Elephant Bites: Project c/o Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council ST.PETERSBURG Air Pollution Tops Aims to Improve Water 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd. PERMIT 5899 Other Sources of Quality in Old Tampa Suite 100 Contamination in Bay Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Tampa Bay 8 You Can Help Save 2 Meet Jim Igler: Super Frogs Volunteer 12 Spring-Breakers Help 3 News briefs & follow- Restore Tampa Bay through 14 Calendar of Events 4 Look at Alternatives 15 Commentary: Love Before Using Synthetic Hurts! Chemical Pesticides 16 Rebuilding Tampa Bay 6 Regional Report Card from the Bottom Up Highlights Impacts to Tampa Bay Rebuilding Tampa Bay from the Bottom Up By Sonia C. Lavina tat (See Bay Soundings, Winter 2005). project is complete, eight new oyster While the Schultz Preserve is one shell bars spanning 1850 linear feet will I wasn’t sure what I was getting into of the region’s most successful restora- help protect the shoreline. when I signed up to help Tampa Bay tions, erosion is still a concern. Along It’s an immense undertaking. Our Watch and a team of about 40 employ- with filtering water and providing habi- three-day project required 30 tons of ees from the Mosaic Company install an tat, oyster reefs help to reduce erosion oyster shell to create about 300 lin- oyster shell bar along the shoreline of by minimizing wave action. Once this ear feet of new oyster reef. Volunteers the Schultz Nature Preserve on Hills- borough Bay near Gibsonton. Tampa Bay Watch President Peter Clark Rebuilding Tampa Bay I had heard about the importance with Christine Smith, Community Relations Continued on page 13 of oysters for maintaining water qual- Manager for Mosaic. ity -- just one oyster can filter 50 gal- Mosaic recently donated lons of water a day, or 1,500 times its $225,000 to Tampa Bay body volume. As filter feeders, oysters Watch to help fund bay remove excess nutrients, bacteria and Scout Cody Czhran had recruited 60 restoration efforts. organic matter, improving overall water volunteers for the project. Photo courtesy of Sonia Lavina. quality. Oyster reefs also serve as feed- Schultz Nature Preserve is located in ing grounds for wading birds and game what old-timers called “The Kitchen” fish such as snapper, grouper and snook. because they knew they could count (Although Tampa Bay oysters have been on catching dinner there. Then, in the off-limits for decades because of high mid-1960s, it became part of a large bacteria levels, they’re economically dredge-and-fill project that created up- important as a commercial food source lands for port development. About half in other locations.) of the man-made peninsula jutting into The day I participated was Day Two the bay was purchased by Hillsborough of a three-day project. On December County’s Environmental Land Acquisi- 6, TBW had 35 volunteers including tion and Protection Program and the students from King High School at the Southwest Florida Water Management same location. Then on Saturday, Eagle District to restore fish and wildlife habi-

16 Bay Soundings | Spring 2013 | www.baysoundings.com