WINTER 2012 baysoundings.com

Best Bike Rides in Tampa Bay BaySoundingsCovering the Tampa Bay Watershed Page 8

National Audubon Society. With so much to large ships, the two islands are now of the region’s beach already occupied by recognized as one of the most important bird humans, the two island sanctuaries provide nesting sites in the state. critical habitat for thousands of endangered Freezes during recent winters damaged Slip-Sliding Away: or threatened birds as well as sea turtles. mangroves growing on the shore of Sunken And while the technology to stop erosion Island, wiping out the first line of protection. EROSION WIPING OUT CRITICAL C oastal HABITAT exists, it’s expensive and may require a “You can see where palm trees have just trade-off with other habitat like offshore toppled over because the sand under By Victoria Parsons seagrass beds. their roots has washed away,” notes Ann It’s a common sight on the beaches waves and ship wakes wash the sand away. Tampa Bay’s poster child for preventing Paul, regional coordinator for the Florida bordering Tampa Bay -- gently sloping sand Protecting the bay’s beaches is ongoing damage from erosion is Audubon’s Audubon Society. In other locations, ancient that rises abruptly to form a bluff a few feet particularly important because two of the Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary. pipes probably used when the islands were from the water’s edge. In almost every case, most threatened islands also are designated Created in the 1920s when the Alafia River Slip-Sliding Away it’s a sign of rapid erosion created when as globally important bird areas by the was dredged to make it more accessible Continued on page 11

Erosion along the western shore of Egmont Key is endangering historic structures as well as nesting grounds for endangered birds and turtles. Photo by Victoria Parsons

Rainwater Harvesting–Eco-Smart and Cost-Effective

Harvesting rainwater in cisterns is a lot like For Carl Roth, a retired engineer who recently collecting sunshine in solar panels. moved to Port Richey, the primary goal was to reduce The technology exists to pull a home totally “off his “water footprint” with cost-effective technology. the grid” but the cost – and a long payback period “A solar water heater with two people in the house – make it economically unfeasible for most of us. has something like a 20-year return on investment. On the other hand, installing a cistern to capture Installing a cistern and irrigation system was much rainwater for use in a Florida-friendly landscape more reasonable.”Roth met with experts from the can be an eco-smart and cost-effective alternative to Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program at Pasco potable water. County Extension, attended an FYN-sponsored “Rain barrels look great but they’re not going to seminar on cisterns, then did a great deal of research make a significant impact in most landscapes,” notes online before he began building the system, including Dave Bracciano, demand management coordinator a thorough review of reports from Florida, Arizona, for Tampa Bay Water. “Harvesting rainwater for Oregon, Texas and Virginia. “If you look before you leap, things work better,” he quips. Photo courtesy Rainwater Services indoor use is complicated because it has to be stored, Creating enough storage to get through the spring dry season is typically the filtered and treated, but it’s simpler and more cost- Rainwater Harvesting most expensive part of a rainwater harvesting system. This cistern for a home in effective for outdoor use.” Continued on page 12 Odessa was floated in rather than delivered by truck.

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 1 Profile Dive Erica Moulton: Making Science Fun It’s not often that skills a In! fifth-grader can master directly translate to the success of a deep- sea research mission – unless Explore Tampa Bay’s magnificent waterworld and watershed they’re applied to building with Bay Soundings, a quarterly news journal covering underwater ROVs, or remotely Florida’s largest open-water estuary. Bay Soundings operated vehicles. chronicles the news and issues affecting the bay, while That’s what makes teaching kids profiling the people, places and creatures that make it so compelling. Thanks to generous community support, Bay about ROVs so appealing to Erica Soundings is distributed free of charge to local and national Moulton, a St. Petersburg native subscribers. Interested readers may subscribe online at and long-time environmental www.baysoundings.com or send an email to circulation@ science teacher at Hillsborough baysoundings.com. Bulk copies also are available for Community College who is now distribution through area attractions, schools, businesses faculty development and summer and civic organizations. institute coordinator for the Talk Back Marine Advanced Technology We welcome letters to the editor on topics covered in Education (MATE) Center in Bay Soundings as well as articles or story ideas on issues Monterey, CA. impacting Tampa Bay and the region’s natural resources. “Kids can build an ROV from Send letters to [email protected]. PVC pipe, a bilge pump and a Send Us Your News 12-volt battery and fly it in a We’re always interested in news about community swimming pool,” she says. “Then organizations involved in Tampa Bay, and our calendar page they want to install something to highlights upcoming bay-related events and activities. Send pick up a bottle on the bottom news to [email protected]. of the pool but they need more Help Yourself thrust and another motor so they If you see an article in Bay Soundings that you would like to need to learn more about physics include in another publication, help yourself. All we ask is and variable buoyancy.” that the story appears with the following credit: “Reprinted In classrooms and competitions, with permission from Bay Soundings.” Photos, however, may students are encouraged to reuse not be reprinted without express written permission. everyday items on their ROVs, resulting in vehicles armored with forks tie-wrapped to thrusters so Photos courtesy Erica Moulton they can snatch a prize from the bottom of the pool. The Above, "flying" ROVs is often a family activity with regional and same tools can be used on ocean-going research vessels. national championships scheduled across the country. They baysoundings.com “Most ROVs are customized for the mission they’re on,” can range from simple vehicles to complex underwater equip- ment like the machines that closed the BP oil rig. Above right, she says. “But if you’re on a research vessel looking at water Erica with her husband Sean. BaySoundingsCovering the Tampa Bay Watershed quality, and scientists see a jellyfish they want to sample, you probably don’t have a jellyfish-capturing apparatus on board. You’ll head for the galley and check out the drawers editor Robin Lewis Victoria Parsons Lewis Environmental Services to see what you can use.” engineering but ROVs are so fun, they’re just hooked. “ And while the Department of Labor doesn’t identify design & graphics Amy Harroun In fact, Moulton is a perfect example of how addictive Southwest Florida Water ROV technician as a top career opportunity, the need for McShane Communications ROVs can be. She was teaching environmental education Management District qualified operators is growing. “ROVs are everywhere – law website design at HCC when she heard about MATE’s classes on George Isiminger, PE enforcement uses them to examine the underside of ships, McShane Communications Port Manatee ROVs for teachers. “I applied and was accepted, and it companies like Tampa-based Odessey use them to search print representative Wren Krahl changed my life.” Shell Jaroy Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council for underwater treasure, and they’re in water cooling towers The next step was a Tampa Bay Estuary Program mini- local distribution and gas pipelines looking for cracks.” Administrative offices: David Kieffer Millions of people who may never have heard of an ROV grant to build “ROVs in a bag” for distribution to teachers Bay Soundings contributing writers c/o Tampa Bay Regional watched intently as the unmanned submarines connected across the region, then a similar program funded through the Marine Technology Society’s ROV committee that gives Nanette O'Hara Planning Council the pipes that eventually sealed the BP well that had been Mary Kelley Hoppe 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd. ROV kits to teachers around the world. Finally, Moulton gushing oil into the Gulf of Mexico. “They can go deeper editorial advisory board Suite 100 for longer – and they’re much safer because their operators accepted a job running the same program at the MATE Suzanne Cooper Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Center that first hooked her on ROVs. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council PH 727-570-5151, ext.32 are working from the surface.” FAX 727-570-5118 Even beyond job opportunities actually building or She works from her Crescent Lake home most of the Nanette O’ Hara year, then commutes to California for the summer to run Tampa Bay Estuary Program Electronic communications: flying ROVs, teaching students about ROVs is a fun way Frank Hearne the week-long ROV Institute for advanced teacher training. [email protected] to introduce them to science, technology, engineering, Mechanik, Nuccio, Hearne & Wester, P.A. [email protected] and mathematics (STEM) education, Moulton said. “A lot “I grew up in St. Petersburg and it’s a great place to raise a Allan Horton of kids freak out when you start talking about science and family,” she says. Freelance Writer

2 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com crease the efficacy of the fungus in the nest, be- well as Egmont Key, Shell Key, Indian Shores University. “However, until now, it wasn’t clear cause they won’t take the dead out and you can and Honeymoon Island. For more information, why. What this study shows is that intense evo- spread the infection throughout the nest better,” see the Summer 2011 issue of Bay Soundings lutionary pressures in the hatchery rapidly select said Nemat Keyhani, a UF associate professor (http://www.baysoundings.com/summer2011/ for fish that excel there, at the expense of their of microbiology and cell science and the study’s Stories/Stewards-Protect-Beach-Nesting- reproductive success in the wild.” lead author. Birds.asp) or email [email protected]. The study was the result of a 19-year analy- Keyhani also led a research team in a similar sis of steelhead trout in Oregon’s Hood River. study of mosquitoes, testing a modified fungus The challenge now is to see if this story is similar that stops the insects from producing a crucial Restore America’s Estuaries Launches in other fish species, identify the genetic traits digestive enzyme. It reduced the survival time of that evolve, and work to slow that rate of do- the mosquitoes by 25%, and resulted in female Wetlands Carbon Blog mestication. mosquitoes laying 40% fewer eggs. Restore America’s Estuaries has created a Mortality levels will need to be increased be- new blog (www.estuaries.org/blog.html) dedi- fore the fungi are ready for widespread use, but cated to exploring the role coastal wetlands the ability to show that the modified fungus can play in sequestering greenhouse gases and re- target a specific insect population is important. porting news and research behind national and Although lethal to fire ants, the friendly fungi had international “Blue Carbon” efforts. no impact on another insect used as a control. While it is well known that forest ecosystems store large amounts of the greenhouse gas car- bon dioxide, promising new research is focusing summer 2002 on so-called “Blue Carbon” in coastal wetland ecosystems such as estuaries, mangroves, sea- Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Watch grasses and salt marshes. Funding from the district's community education Recent findings suggest that coastal wet- grants helped Tampa Bay Watch install oyster lands may sequester and store carbon at rates domes along Bayshore Boulevard. three to five times greater than temperate- for ests. “Coastal tidal wetlands sequester carbon dioxide at impressive rates, primarily in the soil. District Sets New Deadlines for Preserving and restoring coastal wetlands can be part of the solution to reducing greenhouse Community Education Grants emissions that fuel global warming and climate Applications will be available April 1 for the change,” said Steve Emmett-Mattox, RAE’s se- Southwest Florida Water Management District’s nior director of strategic planning and programs. Community Education Grant program, which of- Among RAE’s goals is the creation of a na- fers reimbursement up to $7,500 to help create tional greenhouse gas offset protocol for coastal hands-on, educational experiences that lead to tidal wetlands. Such a protocol would help bring the conservation and protection of Florida’s wa- coastal wetlands into international carbon mar- ter resources. Individuals, community groups, kets, providing new opportunities and incentives volunteers, government and nongovernment for private and public investment in the resto- agencies can apply. Community education ration and preservation of tidal wetlands, and grants are designed to target adult audiences a new tool for global coastal and marine con- through projects such as water body cleanups, servation.RAE will hold its annual conference Photo by Ann Tihansky aquatic plantings, educational workshops and at the Tampa Convention Center Oct. 20-24. Mangroves and other coastal plants may play an more. Project activity can begin November 1, Photo by Marianne Korosy important role in sequestering greenhouse gas. 2012, and must be completed by July 31, 2013. Royal tern chicks, just days old, are barely visible Applications are due Thursday, May 31, 2012. under the adults nesting at Fort DeSoto Park. For more information, visit www.WaterMatters. Could Hatcheries Cost Fish Ability to org/CommunityGrants. DEP Designates 250th Clean Marina Splash! grants for teachers also will be Survive in Wild? Sarasota Yacht Club has been named the awarded for 2012-13; applications are due A new study indicates that the impact of a 250th Clean Marina in the state, joining 37 in Sept. 2. Visit http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ed- Shorebird Alliance Enlisting hatchery environment on steelhead trout may the Tampa Bay region that already have earned ucation/schoolgrants/dates.php for additional cost fish the natural the designation recognizing their commitment information. Volunteers Early ability to survive in “We’ve known for some to protecting Florida’s waters and natural re- Warm winter weather is apparently causing the wild. The find- sources. shorebirds to begin nesting early, according ings, published in time that hatchery- The Clean Marina program (see Bay Sound- to reports from volunteers with St. Petersburg Proceedings of the born fish are less ings, Summer 2004) requires that marinas eval- Friendly Fungi Help Control Audubon Society who work as stewards at Fort National Academy of uate their operations, implement a series of en- DeSoto Park protecting the sanctuary from hu- Sciences, surprised successful at survival vironmental housekeeping measures specific to Fire Ants, Mosquitoes man visitors. researchers by the and reproduction in the their site and educate boaters on ways to mini- Modified fungi created by the University of “Things seem to be gearing up a little early pure speed at which wild.” mize impacts. After completing the application, Florida shows promise as weapons against fire this year,” notes Saskia Janes, volunteer co- hatchery fish seem to an on-site visit confirms that the marina meets ants, mosquitoes and other pests. In fire ants, ordinator for the Suncoast Shorebird Partner- evolve. – Michael Blouin the program’s stringent standards. the modified fungus was five to eight times as ship. “Official stewarding season will begin in “We’ve known For a list of local facilities who have earned effective and also disrupted the ants’ tendency May, however we may need a few volunteers on for some time that the Clean Marina designation, visit http://www. to remove dead ants from their nests. holiday weekends like Easter, Mother’s Day and hatchery-born fish are less successful at- sur dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/marinas.htm. “Potentially, it’s important because if you can during college spring break weeks.” vival and reproduction in the wild,” said Michael disrupt this behavior, you may be able to in- Stewards are needed at Fort DeSoto as Blouin, a professor of zoology at Oregon State

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 3

summer 2002 New Rules Aim to Stop Invasive Species in Ballast Water

Nearly a century after the first documented Left, green mussels, the introduction of an alien species via ballast largest mussels in the Eliminating Organisms is Technically water, national and international agencies are world, are believed to Challenging finally firming up new regulations to reduce have been introduced the potential for other invasive species to be to Tampa Bay in ballast While it’s clear that invasive organisms water. Below, ships transferred. travel in ballast water, the most effective discharge ballast water way to prevent them is much less clear. The Three distinct organizations – the U.S. as they take on cargo at Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental U.S. Coast Guard established voluntary the rate of a gallon per ballast water management guidelines in 1998, Protection Agency and the International minute day in and day out requiring that ballast water be exchanged 200 Maritime Organization – all have proposals in Tampa Bay. on the table that would require ballast water miles offshore, retained onboard the vessel or to meet certain standards before discharge. treated to kill living organisms. The challenge has been the fact that The voluntary requirements were deemed ineffective so they became mandatory in 2004. ballast water is critical to the safety of a ship. Mussel photo courtesy of the Univeristy of Florida. Even so, the FWRI report (see sidebar) shows Exchanging it at sea can be dangerous – as Ship photo by istockphoto.com shown by the near-sinking of the car carrier that treatment methods did not eliminate Cougar Ace in 2006. Treating ballast water either living algae or dormant-stage cysts of to kill stowaways is technically challenging microalgae in a significant proportion of the and new technologies are just beginning to samples takensummer between 2003 200 and 2006.2 become available. The U.S. Environmental Protection “Ballast is not really optional, it’s Agency was sued by environmental groups in essential to maintaining stability,” notes Bill 2000 for failing to regulate ballast water as a Richardson, research associate at the Florida point source for contamination, contending Fish and Wildlife Research Institute who that the agency has jurisdiction under the conducted a series of tests on ballast water Clean Water Act. between 2003 and 2006. Ballast has been New rules were issued in 2008 requiring used for hundreds of years, he adds. “The ships to exchange ballast at sea or rinse tanks rocks at Ballast Point were discharged from with salt water before entering U.S. waters. ships in the early 1800s when Ballast Point Both the Coast Guard and the EPA are was a prominent port for shipping cattle. The finalizing new regulations which are expected accumulated ballast is said to include rock to be similar to those originally proposed by from almost every seacoast in the world.” the International Maritime Organization in With the advent of large metal ships, water 2004. became the preferred form of ballast and it’s The IMO rules, which are generally used in nearly every cargo ship. Ballast water supported by the maritime industry, call is discharged into Tampa Bay at an average for no more than 10 organisms in a cubic rate of a gallon per minute, day in and day Until recently, open-ocean exchange was the only approved method of treating ballast water. meter of water. When originally drafted, the out, Richardson notes. Scientists estimate that It removes many of the estuarian organisms that could become problematic in another low- technology to accomplish that target was salinity habitat. Water taken on in open water is less likely to contain organisms that could limited. Although the standards have still not 65 non-native plant and animal species have survive in a coastal ecosystem. been established in the Tampa Bay estuary, been ratified by enough nations (including Open-water exchange, however, is only about 90% effective because not all water can be the U.S.) to enforce them, manufacturers with ballast water considered a possible route pumped out of ballast tanks and some organisms can accumulate in the bottom of the tank. of introduction. around the world have developed technology An FWRI study conducted between 2003 and 2006 sampled ballast water on 63 ships that that does meet the standards. Asian green mussels, the fastest-growing were primarily bulk cargo carriers from Central and South America, Europe, the Mediterranean mussel in the world, probably entered Tampa and the Pacific northwest. Costs are expected to be about $1 million per ship for each of the approximately 68,000 Bay in ballast water in a ship from Trinidad. Results included: When they were first discovered blocking an ships that would be covered under the new • 36% of ships and 42% of tanks had live algae rules, Richardson said. “The good news is intake valve at a TECO power plant in 1999, • 9 nonnative species were found experts feared the worst. As it turned out, the that the outlook is promising in that the • 83 species were recorded technology is available, tested and cost- mussels are surviving in Tampa Bay but not • 1 nonnative harmful species (Dictyocha fibula) was found. creating the environmental disaster caused effective.” by the zebra and quagga mussels in the Great Cysts (resting stage of microalgae) also were abundant in ballast water: The new systems use diverse technology ranging from filtration and deoxygenation Lakes where they have consumed so much of • 39% of ships and 46% of tanks contained cysts to environmentally friendly biocides that are the algae that the base of the food web has • Some samples contained more than 400 individual cysts produced onboard from seawater without the shifted. The Great Lakes also are contending • 2,969 cysts were isolated and incubated addition of chemicals. As of 2011, 34 ballast with the rapidly reproducing round goby and • 21% germinated water management systems have received the parasitic sea lamprey. In the Chesapeake • Two potentially nonnative species were established in culture basic approval and 20 systems have received Bay, the Chinese mitten crab and the rapa Along with the non-native organisms, a native but harmful dinoflagellate, Alexandrium balechii, whelk are wrecking environmental havoc. final approval. Over time, as the technology was collected and cultured from the same vessel six months apart, indicating that ships continues to improve, the Coast Guard “We’ve been very lucky in Tampa Bay,” picking up ballast water in Tampa Bay may transport a harmful organism to other coastal areas notes Phillip Steadman, environmental with similar ecologies. expects to implement standards that are 10 director for the Port of Tampa. times more strict.

4 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com

summer 2002 From Pasture to Prairie: Penny for Pasco Invests in Pasco Restoration Project Breaks New Ground Environmental Lands At first glance, Jumping Gully Preserve Conservation Commission’s Gopher Tortoise looks just the way it should. Sandhill cranes Habitat Fund, adds Wiley. “They’ve funded stroll majestically through grassy meadows land purchases and prescribed burns before, sweeping across gently rolling hills. Wild but this is the first-ever restoration project turkeys are nearly invisible in the scrub under they’ve selected.” low-growing oaks while wading birds stalk Restoration will begin later this Spring their prey in the ephemeral ponds of a dry with herbicide sprays to kill off the pasture lake bed. Sandy mounds on higher lands grass. “We’re hopeful that one spray will point to the presence of tortoises or perhaps work but it may take two years before we can burrowing owls. begin reseeding,” Wiley said. “Luckily it’s But while most people simply appreciate just Bahia and dog fennel – we don’t have any the natural beauty of Jumping Gully, Keith of the really invasive grasses like cogon.” Wiley envisions a preserve that’s even more Once the pasture grass is dead, seed from attractive to wildlife. As environmental lands native grasses and shrubs will be harvested program manager for Pasco County, he’s and broadcast on the site. “We’re still spearheading the restoration of the 600-acre looking for donor sites but we’d like to find Photo courtesy Pasco County cattle operation to its historic habitat. “We’ll something nearby,” he said. Unlike pasture An aerial image of Jumping Gully Preserve shows the dry lake bedsummer that once drained 200 into Crews2 never be able to fully restore it but we can grass that grows to a uniform height, native Lake, as well as the current cattle pasture that is being restored. recreate a similar structure,” he says. grasses grow in different shapes and sizes so Across the state, only a few restorations that wildlife can find niches they don’t have have transformed cattle pastures back to their in a pasture, Wiley said. “They need that Jumping Gully Preserve was purchased with salt marshes, mangrove forests, tidal flats, structure in a more natural landscape, where funds raised through the voter-approved maritime hammock and estuarine habitats, original sandhill or dry prairie ecosystems Penny for Pasco sales tax that dedicates was purchased in a partnership with the but they’ve been remarkably successful, he some grasses will be waist high and then 25% of the county’s share of funds raised state through its Florida Communities Trust said. “Look at places like Disney’s Wilderness you’ll have patches of bare sand.” to environmental lands purchases. Originally Program. ELAMP is currently working with Preserve or the uplands restoration in the Wiregrass, the dominant groundcover in passed in 2004, the program enjoys strong the River Ridge High School Splash Club support from residents, with nearly 80% of to construct a ½ mile trail. Students also Green Swamp and you can really see the much of Florida’s natural areas, is a favorite food for the gopher tortoise and provides voters saying they would renew the tax. A conducted a clean-up in December, collecting difference – but it’s a lot of work and money referendum to extend the tax for another 10 a half-ton of trash from along the road. cover for many birds, reptiles and small years may be placed on the November 2012 to get there.” • Tierra del Sol encompasses about 110 acres mammals. It’s considered a “bunch” grass ballot. The first step at Jumping Gully will be a including 80 acres of mitigation project and 28 40-acre site at the northeastern tip of the that grows in dense clumps about 18 to 36 Along with the Jumping Gully Preserve, acres purchased by ELAMP off U.S. 41 about property which abuts a natural area inches tall. Pasco’s Environmental Land Acquisition and three miles south of SR 52. Restoration of With so few examples of how Management Program has purchased: Five-Mile Creek will begin later this year, with with a thriving population of gopher hiking trails built once the creek is complete. tortoises. “We think we can recruit to successfully restore cattle • Aripeka Sandhills, 210 acres northwest pasture to native dry prairie or of U.S. 19 and Aripeka Road, jointly owned • Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve, a from that population if we restore sandhill, Pasco will start small and learn as and managed with the Southwest Florida 122-acre parcel east of the Suncoast Parkway the native grass species,” notes Water Management District. The property in Shady Hills featuring scrub, wetland forest they go. “Even 50% native groundcover is Cristina Esposito, land manager. encompasses hardwood hammock, scrub, and mixed hardwood upland habitat. Located considered successful,” Wiley notes. The Gopher tortoises are not only a sandhill and mixed hardwood/conifer forest. in the Starkey-Cross Bar Critical Linkage, it was also purchased in a partnership with cattle pasture is fenced in 40-acre parcels • Bailie’s Bluff, a 100-acre site located threatened species in Florida, they’re Florida Communities Trust Program. The so the transition will be easier. Parts of the near county-owned parks at Key Vista and considered a keystone species preserve is open from sunrise to sunset and Anclote Key. ELAMP will manage the natural property are still leased for cattle operations, includes a 1.14-mile trail and a facility that is because they share their burrows resources within the three properties and the which also helps to fund the restoration. used for meetings and workshops. A nature- with more than 350 other species. parks department will coordinate recreational Tracking progress and documenting themed playground, boardwalk and parking lot Part of the funding for the activities including a planned trail that success will be an important part of the are under construction. restoration work comes encompasses the three properties. restoration, he adds. Benchmarks on native from the Florida • Boy Scout Preserve on Green Key Road in plant species and the wildlife using them Fish and New Port Richey, an 18-acre property located will be recorded before restoration begins. on the Gulf of Mexico in New Port Richey Wildlife “We’re talking to St. Leo University about including sensitive mangrove and upland Want to visit? habitat. A 5-acre Brazilian pepper removal setting up living classrooms at Jumping Because parts of Jumping Gully project was recently completed. Gully and Pasco Palms (an ELAMP preserve Preserve are still being used as cattle on the Gulf of Mexico) so students are here • Cypress Creek, a 250-acre preserve that pasture, the preserve is open by stretches from the Hillsborough County appointment only. Call the ELAMP on a long-term basis to learn about how line north to State Road 56 on the east office at 727-847-2411, ext. 8333 preservation and restoration work.” side of Interstate 75. The county owns the to set up a time. Guided tours are entire stretch except a small section that is scheduled several times a year through Sandhill cranes are year-round residents at Jumping Gully a Department of Transportation mitigation the ELAMP office (pascocountyfl.net) Preserve. Managers hope that restoring the cattle pasture project. or the West Pasco Audubon Society will attract other birds including burrowing owls. • Pasco Palms Preserve, 117 acres of coastal (westpascoaudubon.com). Photo by Cristina Esposito property near New Port Richey featuring

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 5

summer 2002 Big Bend, in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys, are the largest expanse of this important New Florida Atlas Inspires, resource in the world. • The Lake Wales ridge, stretching about 115 miles from Lake Apopka to Glades County, is a series of ancient sand dunes deposited about Educates and Entertains 650,000 years ago when much of Florida was By Victoria Parsons under water. Once a narrow chain of islands separated from the mainland, its plants and If you’re looking for a spectacular coffee fires to provide open areas with low animals evolved in isolation. As a result, table book with gorgeous images of the flora groundcover because overgrown the ridge now contains one of the highest and fauna that make our state so unique, the shrubs and trees make the habitat concentrations of rare plants and animals in will fit the Atlas of Florida’s Natural Heritage unsuitable for scrub jays. the country. More than 85% of the original bill perfectly. • Gopher tortoises, the only 80,000 acres of upland habitat there has been But if you’re looking for a wealth of land tortoise living east of the lost to development. knowledge in an easy-to-understand document covering Florida’s diverse ecosystems, the • More than 200 introduced plant species Atlas is just as likely to occupy a spot of honor are listed as invasive exotics or noxious weeds, on your bookshelf. including Brazilian pepper, Old World climbing Published late last year by the Florida fern and water hyacinth. The state spends Natural Areas Inventory at Florida State about $82 million per year controlling them. University, the Atlas starts with the big About 400 exotic animals have been picture on biodiversity and why it’s important documentedsummer as living in Florida 200 but2 not all to everyone who lives in Florida, then moves are considered invasive. into detailed sections on specific ecosystems • The northern section of the Everglades and elements of biodiversity. originally extended further north than Tampa The Atlas is designed so that most sections Bay, into southern Orange County. Unlike are covered in two oversized pages with most watersheds that drain through rivers photography, maps and charts. The text is and creeks, the Everglades slope seaward at written in a style that works for both scientists a gradient of less than three inches per mile. and students – or anyone who wants to know Today, only the southern third of the marsh more about our wonderful state. More remains in relatively undisturbed condition, complex sections explain the science behind as the Everglades National Park. conservation with great reports on natural history methodology, how conservation • While most people associate palm trees priorities are determined and why strategic with Florida, oaks also are integral to habitat conservation areas are important. Important topics are covered in two-page "double-trucks" that offer in-depth information in an easy- Florida’s ecology. A total of 27 species of The sections on the elements of biodiversity to-understand format. oaks are found within the state’s boundaries look at topics ranging from topography and including some that have adapted to extreme its impact on natural communities to detailed conditions. The dwarf live oak, for instance, Mississippi River, are still found in all reports on charismatic species that depend occurs as a groundcover that seldom grows of Florida’s 67 counties although some Gerald Parker, the Floridan is one of the upon specific ecological elements. It’s hard higher than three feet. At the other extreme, populations are small and isolated. Their most productive aquifers in the world and to pick a favorite section because it’s all so the live oak may have a crown that covers up burrows may be up to 15 feet deep and 40 is estimated to contain 1,000 cubic miles of interesting and so readable, but here are some water, 100 times the amount impounded in to one-third of an acre growing from a trunk highlights that should pique your interest: feet long and are wide enough for the tortoise as large as nine feet in diameter. to turn around in. They provide shelter from Lake Mead behind the Hoover Dam. • Over the past 20 years, Florida has acquired Native insects are responsible for extreme temperatures and fires for up to • Nearly half of all hurricanes that have hit • more land for conservation than the federal 350 other species including skunks, snakes, the U.S. since 1886 made landfall in Florida. pollinating approximately $3 billion worth of government has acquired across the United crickets, frogs and mice. The west coast is least likely to be struck fruits and vegetables. Some native bees do a States. A sidebar in this chapter details the because most storms that enter the Gulf of much better job pollinating some crops than economic benefits of conservation including • Prescribed fire is the most cost-effective Mexico follow a northwestern track and come the non-native honey bee, increasing fruit set tourism and outdoor recreation ($13 billion tool used by Florida’s conservation land ashore on Florida’s panhandle, or the coasts of by up to 45% and fruit weight up to 200%. in 2006), coastal communities ($11 billion managers to promote ecosystem health Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana or Texas. The Atlas sets a goal of inspiring, educating in storm protection benefits) and climate and reduce hazardous fuel buildups, thus and raising awareness for all Florida citizens, change ($340 million annually in offsets of protecting homes and nature from damaging • About 100 orchid species are native to greenhouse gas emissions) as well as water wildfires. Florida leads the nation in Florida, representing about half of all native particularly those who are influential in resources, agriculture and improved quality prescribed fire law, training and application. orchids in the U.S. and Canada. Three- environmental issues but may lack specific of life in nearby communities. The section also includes a visual description quarters of them are listed as threatened information. I think they’ve achieved that or endangered, including the leafless ghost lofty objective in an entertaining document • Florida scrub jays are the state’s only of the process land managers must follow endemic (found only in a particular before they burn. orchid featured in the 2002 movie Adaptation that makes learning fun. geographic area) bird species. Populations • Florida has three aquifer systems. The starring Meryl Streep. Purchase The Atlas of Florida’s have declined by 80-90%, a loss primarily largest and deepest is the Floridan which • A single acre of seagrass may harbor 50 Natural Heritage online at www. attributed to degradation of the scrub habitat extends as far north as South Carolina and million invertebrates including crabs, shrimp, floridasnaturalheritage.org or call 850-644- it needs to survive. Even conservation lands west through most of southern Alabama. lobsters, sea urchins and starfish. Florida’s 2007. A hardcover publication is $69.99 and a must be actively managed with prescribed Called “Florida’s rain barrel” by geologist seagrass beds, including vast expanses near softcover version is $49.99.

6 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com

summer 2002 Despite Recession, Census Shows Big Gains in Conservation by Land Trusts

By Mary Kelley Hoppe Florida that could easily have been developed. When the family decided to donate the The first census of land trusts in five years land, Hillsborough County’s environmental shows big gains in land conservation by pri- lands acquisition program, ELAPP, couldn’t vate trusts across the U.S., with 10 million meet the family’s deadlines for closing and new acres conserved from 2005 to 2010. Flor- the parcel was too small for the Southwest ida land trusts contributed to this success, re- Florida Water Management District to ac- porting an increase of 98%, or 170,779 acres cept. The Tampa Bay Conservancy became of protected land, over this period. The cen- the perfect choice for the gift. sus is online at www.lta.org/census. While the Gibbons Preserve is the Con- At the local and state level, endowments servancy’s first and only property so far, the to ensure land protection more than doubled, group has several potential projects in the and operating endowments, an indicator of pipeline and hopes to host a forum for con- the staying power of these organizations, servation leaders after this year’s legislation nearly tripled, according to the report by the session to discuss how best to advance conser- Land Trust Alliance. vation efforts in the wake of state budget cuts. “While government is shrinking, local Although land trusts have posted impres- land trusts are saving more land,” said Land sive conservation gains despite the recession, Trust Alliance President Rand Wentworth. major government-funded programs have “Communities nationwide value clean water, stalled. Florida Forever, the state’s environ- local food, and places to play, and they are in- mental lands conservation program, received vesting in those places close to home.” no funding in 2011 and just $15 million in Total acres conserved by state, local and 2010. national land trusts grew to 47 million acres That’s a far cry from the $300-million in by year-end 2010, an area more than twice annual funding lawmakers pumped into the the size of all national parks in the contigu- program for more than two decades in an ef- ous U.S. Land trusts also reported a 70% fort to safeguard future drinking water sup- increase in volunteers since 2005, and a 19% plies, provide green space for recreation, and jump in paid staff and contractors. preserve wildlife and habitat. Since 1990, more than 2.5 million acres of ecologically Filling a niche sensitive lands have been preserved through 1,000-Mile Trek Through Florida “I think this points to the power of the land Florida Forever and its predecessor, Preser- trust movement,” says Laura Starkey, presi- vation 2000. dent of the Tampa Bay Conservancy. “Land Much of the money to buy the land came Tracks Corridor for Wildlife trusts fill an important niche, providing an al- from a documentary tax stamp on real estate ternative to landowners who may not be com- purchases; when the housing market col- A team of intrepid explorers corridor project is a collaborative fortable working with government agencies. lapsed, the program’s revenue stream stopped embarked on an ambitious jour- vision to connect remaining natu- “Relationships are really important to flowing. ney through Florida January 17 ral landscapes and watersheds es- landowners,” notes Starkey. “You need to Local programs in Hillsborough and Pas- to call attention to the need for sential for the survival of Florida’s build trust. When we go out to talk to a land- co counties continue to purchase land with a functional wildlife corridor up diverse wildlife, including wide- owner, we’re going to listen and figure out strong support from voters. the Florida peninsula. Their goal: ranging panthers, black bears and the best option for them.” Moving forward, advocates are urging a 1,000 miles in 100 days. other native species threatened by One of over 1,700 land trusts across the greater emphasis on tools such as conserva- Bear biologist Joe Guthrie, con- encroaching urban development. country (including 33 in Florida), the Con- tion easements that allow landowners to sell servationist Mallory Lykes Dimmit Award-winning cinematographer servancy was established in 2001 as an organi- or donate certain property rights – often the and photojournalist Carlton Ward Elam Stoltzfus is documenting the zation devoted to preserving the region’s nat- right to subdivide or develop a land tract – Jr. are making their way from the expedition to produce a film about ural, agricultural and scenic heritage. Unlike while the land remains in private hands and Everglades National Park toward the journey and the Florida Wild- some of its larger counterparts, the nonprofit may qualify for tax benefits. Okefenokee National Forest in life Corridor. is totally run by volunteers. “The reality for a lot of landowners is that southern Georgia. The trio is tra- With photography, video In 2006, the Conservancy acquired a 60- the ability to get a tax credit makes a big dif- versing wildlife habitats, watershed streams and daily updates on social acre parcel near Gibsonton donated in honor ference,” says Starkey. “With so many finan- and working farms and ranches media and digital networks, resi- of Myron and Helen Gibbons and reborn as cial pressures on families that own a large to increase public awareness and dents can follow along the expe- a public nature preserve. Tucked just around piece of property, everything counts and generate support for the Florida dition. Learn more at www.flori- the corner from one of the region’s fastest- makes a huge difference in determining if you Wildlife Corridor Project. The dawildlifecorridor.org growing developments, the Myron and Hel- can justify putting a conservation easement en Gibbons Nature Preserve is a slice of old on your property.”

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 7 Pedal Power: Biking to Work Helps Protect the Bay By Nanette O’Hara may not bike themselves, In September 2010, Larry Meadows but they know other people made a commitment to get in shape. With who do,” said Brian Smith, little time to exercise, the 43-year-old St. the recently retired planning Petersburg resident took a friend’s advice director for Pinellas County and decided to try riding a bike to his job who pedaled from his home with Raymond James Financial in the in Ozona to his office in Feather Sound area of central Pinellas. Clearwater for 15 years. By September 2011, Meadows had logged Cycling to work has a big 3,100 miles on his commutes, lowered his upside. It’s great exercise, it resting heart rate from 77 to 43 beats per reduces stress, and it saves minute, and lost an impressive 45 pounds. both fuel costs and wear and He also calculated savings of $721 in gas tear on automobiles. Since costs, based on spending an average of $3.50 most Americans live within per gallon on gas to drive his truck 22 miles five miles of their workplace, a day instead of pedaling his Trek. the average commute is pretty And he’s still at it, faithfully traveling to short. In urban areas like ours, work each day by pedal power, in every kind it typically only takes one-third Above, Larry Mead- of weather but thunderstorms. longer to bike than to drive to ows pauses for a work – in many cases, it’s faster than sitting moment on his daily “My workday begins with 45 minutes of in traffic on congested roads. commute from St. exercise and head-clearing, and ends with Petersburg to Feather 45 minutes of exercise and head-clearing,” There are societal as well as Sound. Right, the Meadows said. individual rewards. According to the Pinellas Trail is one of Though still the exception in the car- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the nation's longest choked Tampa Bay region, Meadows transportation is the largest single source of urban trail with an estimated 90,000 is less an outlier than you might think. air pollution in the nation, and driving a car people using it According to the Census Bureau’s American is probably a typical citizen’s “most polluting daily activity.” In Tampa Bay, studies have monthly. The original Community Survey, the Tampa Bay area sections were built on shown that air pollution is responsible for as has double the national average of bike abandoned railways. commuters, and the number of people riding much as 40% of the harmful nitrogen going their bike to work increased by 31% from into the bay. Vehicle emissions, in the form Photo by Nanette O'Hara of nitrogen oxides (NOx) account for about Map courtesy Pinellas 2000-2008. We also are among the most County dangerous areas for cyclists in the nation. one-quarter of that. From 2005-2009, 105 cyclists were killed Remember the adage, “What goes “And what we’ve on roads in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco up must come down?” That applies to found in Tampa Bay is not unusual for urban on automobiles as Tampa Bay, making and Pinellas counties, nearly one-fifth of the automobile tailpipes as well. The NOx that areas across the country.” room for bicyclists isn’t easy, or cheap. The total cycling fatalities in the state, according comes out of them, because it is discharged Although cars are becoming more fuel- transportation system in congested urban to statistics from the Florida Department of low to the ground, tends to stay close to efficient and less polluting, increases in areas like Tampa was originally designed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. home, where it falls directly on Tampa Bay the sheer numbers of cars from population move people – make that, people in cars – Despite the hazards, bicycle commuting is or is washed into the bay with rainfall. growth could negate the gains achieved by from one point to another as fast as possible. clearly growing in popularity, in Tampa Bay “I think most people aren’t aware of the cleaner emissions, she noted. But with the recognition that varied and across the U.S. impact that air pollution has on water quality Public or alternative modes of transit modes of transportation – light rail, buses, “It’s beginning to reach a in the bay,” said Holly Greening, executive offer long-term solutions, and that includes bicycles, water taxis, even feet – make tipping point, where people director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. cycling. However, for a region as dependent for more desirable communities, planners

The Pinellas Trail Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park The Suncoast Parkway Bicycle Trail Best (throughout Pinellas County) (southern Pasco County) (Tampa, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, Brooksville) 1 One of the longest urban bike trails in 2 The 7.5 mile paved trail (13 miles round 3 Running parallel to the Suncoast the nation, the Pinellas Trail runs 37 miles trip) through the Starkey wellfield showcases Parkway for 41.3 miles from Tampa to the Bike Rides north and south along an old railroad line. gorgeous pine flatwoods and hardwood Chassahowitzka area, the Suncoast is a part The Trail is still being expanded; additions hammocks that harbor deer, fox squirrels, of the state’s Greenways and Trails system. will eventually create a complete loop of gopher tortoises, bluebirds and other Portions closer to Tampa (such as the SR the county. The most scenic section is from wildlife. The Starkey Trail connects with 54 access) get fairly crowded on weekends; in Tampa Bay the Suncoast Bicycle Trail on one end and segments north of SR 50 are rarely busy, Dunedin to Tarpon Springs. Starkey Boulevard on the other, for those exceptionally scenic and feature something Whether you’re riding for fun, fitness or www.pinellascounty.org/trailgd/ who want a longer ride. rare for Florida: hills! utility, here are some of our favorite rides: www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/ www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/ areas/starkey-park.html westcentral/trails/suncoast.htm

8 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com people going to chronicled the good, bad and ugly of his Haynes, a member of Pinellas County’s work or to the commuting odyssey through his blog, Bicycle Advisory Committee, is an authority grocery store Trek2Work.com – including one day when on what he calls “utility cycling.” He to pick up a few he had to intentionally ditch his bike to authored a book, “The Practical Cyclist” items, to children avoid being hit by a motorist turning directly that provides a wealth of information biking to school, to in front of him, one hand on his coffee cup, about using bicycles as a major form of serious recreational the other on his cell phone and his knees on transportation. He rides his bike to stores, cyclists with tiny the steering wheel. to appointments, everywhere he reasonably computers attached Pinellas County and Tampa Bay have can. With about 30 bikes in his garage – all to their handlebars a long way to go before they are as bike- with their own unique story – he’s got one to record their friendly as Seattle or Minneapolis-St. Paul, for just about any occasion. time, distance and but it is getting better, he said. “The more Haynes says there are all sorts of perfectly speed. motorists see people on bikes, the more they good reasons to give bike commuting a try – Pinellas park get used to us and learn to live with us.” health, fitness, saving energy, saving money ranger Pat McGory Chip Haynes, a Clearwater resident and – but “the main reason is that it’s fun. takes the trail to year-round commuter, has been bicycling “Riding a bike makes you feel like a kid Photo by Nanette O'Hara work every day since he was seven years old and “just never again, pure and simple,” he said. The Pinellas Trail features a series of overpasses that allow cyclists to avoid from his home in busy highways and intersections. outgrew it like most people do.” St. Pete to Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole. throughout the region are plotting a Like Meadows, he began biking to work for network of bike lanes to accommodate both health reasons. At 51, he’s shed 35 pounds recreational and commuter cyclists. in two years and lowered his blood pressure. “Roads get you from one community He also saves at least $10 a week in gas and Ready To Roll? Tips for Getting Started to another, but they don’t connect a reduced his driving so much he even sold the 1. Obey all traffic laws. Bicycles are considered vehicles, subject to the same rules of the road as community the way that bike and pedestrian family’s second car. cars. Don’t run red lights or stop signs. Do ride on the right-hand side of the road. paths do,” Smith said. “I started doing it for health reasons 2. Wear a helmet and bright clothing. You want to be seen, and you want to protect the one irreplaceable body part: your brain. and I liked it so much I stayed with it,” he The Pinellas Trail is one of those bike 3. Never wear headphones or ear buds while cycling. It’s not only paths doing double or even triple duty. A said. “Being able to use the trail gives me a against the law, it’s just plain stupid. decade after construction began on what is much safer way to travel than surface roads. 4. Keep your bike tires properly inflated. This is all about now a 37-mile-long cycling and pedestrian I see some of the same people riding at the comfort and efficiency. You’ll be amazed at the difference. path through Pinellas County’s midriff, same time every day, and I assume they’re 5. Lock your bike up, all the time and everywhere. a survey conducted by county planners commuting too.” A good lock is cheaper than a taxi ride, and a revealed a surprise: about two-thirds of the Unfortunately, there is only one Pinellas new bike. bicyclists using the trail were using it to go Trail. The region’s other major dedicated SOURCE: Chip Haynes, author of “The Practical Cyclist” somewhere for a purpose, such as school, cycling/pedestrian pathway – the Friendship work or shopping. Planners had assumed its Trail and Bridge over Tampa Bay – has been main use would be recreational. closed for several years and is slated to be Because it is off-limits to cars, it is an demolished because of structural issues. Bike Buddies ideal way to get around safely. Overpasses But communities are slowly building Want a pedal pal to share the ride to work? TBARTA, across the busiest highways, such as US 19, a tapestry of bicycle lanes and designated the regional transportation agency, will put you in touch How Americans Get To Work allow cyclists to rise above the chaos below. with another cyclist going your way through the Bike 76.6% Drove Alone “Share The Road” strips along existing Buddy program. Learn more and sign up at At Ozona Elementary School in far North roadways for cyclists. Tampa currently www.tampabayrideshare.org. 9.7% Carpooled Pinellas, a substantial percentage of the 4.9% Took Public Transportation has 60 miles of designated bike lanes; St. No need to fret about those times when you really need students ride their bikes to school using Petersburg more than 20 miles; and tiny to get somewhere in a hurry. Participants who ride their 2.8% Walked the trail. Palm Harbor nearly 14 miles (thanks largely bikes to work at least two days a week are eligible for .5% Bicycled County bicycle/pedestrian planner Sue to the Pinellas Trail). free taxicab rides home in emergencies. 4.3% Worked At Home Miller says that is the true immeasurable St. Pete resident Meadows, who cycles Currently, 114 commuter cyclists are registered for 1.2% Took a Taxi value of the trail. “It really addresses people’s with his son for recreation on the weekends the baywide program, with 63 biking to work. The rest are looking for matches. needs whatever they are,” she said, from as well as to work during the week, has SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 American Community Survey

Flatwoods Park (Thonotosassa area City of St. Petersburg Bike Trails Upper Tampa Bay Trail Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa of eastern Hillsborough County) (throughout St. Petersburg) (Northwest Hillsborough) The city’s iconic sidewalk along 4 5 6 7 Hillsborough Bay is a victim of its own Home to the Morris Bridge wellfield, Officially designated a Bronze level This 7.5-mile trail runs from the Memorial popularity, so crowded much of the time that Flatwoods is part of the Southwest Florida Bicycle-Friendly Community by the League of Highway area of Tampa north past Gunn bicycling is not always safe, or easy. Help Water Management District’s Lower American Bicyclists, St. Pete is working hard Highway, mainly through residential areas is on the way as the city nears the end of a Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve. Its 7-mile on bicycle and pedestrian enhancements. with overpasses, underpasses and bridges. major project to add dedicated bike lanes to paved multi-use trail is extremely popular The “City Trails” program has designated Planned expansions will add another 7 to the surface road in both directions, along with with both casual and avid recreational cyclists. bike lanes, “share lanes,” sidewalks, and 8 miles and eventually connect it with the The trail winds through beautiful pine flatwoods other enhancements to slow traffic and make paths that link the city’s charming downtown Suncoast Parkway Trail. with abundant wildlife, and connects with crossing safer for all users. with points north and south. www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/ New Tampa subdivisions via surface roads. www.tampagov.net/dept_transportation/ www.stpete.org/transportation/citytrails/ westcentral/trails/pdfs/UTB_Trail_PDF.pdf www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/ information_resources/Bayshore_blvd_ index.asp areas/lh-flatwoods.html enhancement_project.asp

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 9 Aquascaping Retention Ponds Using Native Plants

By Ernie Franke appear to be half-opened on the water sur- face. Large heart-shaped leaves are attached Someone recently called for advice on to long, stout stems that rise from spongy rhi- beautifying the retention pond next to her zomes. Waterfowl feed on its seeds. home. As we talked, I realized that she was Out of all the aquatic plants you might use frantically taking notes at the same time I was in or around your pond, water lilies are the struggling to share a vision of how her pond most easily recognizable and widely used. Al- could look. I spent some time thinking about though they come in many different colors, it and came up with three primary rules and we have limited our list to the two native wa- the top 10 plants for ponds in the Tampa Bay ter lilies. region. Retention ponds are everywhere because 9. The White Fragrant Water Lily has very many local governments require ponds fragrant flowers (spring to fall) and smooth to collect storm water as a condition for leaves. Ducks and mammals feed on its seeds development. Many “water features” in and stems, while the roots provide a stable neighborhoods and office parks are actually surface for successful fish spawning. man-made ponds that collect rainwater and 10. The Yellow Water Lily is more robust, allow it to seep slowly into the ground rather often crowding out the more elegant white than just running off. species. Adding native plants to retention ponds brings them to life because plants do so much Third Rule of Aquascaping: more than give us pleasing vistas—they are Don’t take plants without permission or you havens for wildlife and birds. Fish rely on may get a free trip to jail. aquatic plants for food and habitat. Insect If you want to buy a few plants, we recom- larvae, snails and freshwater shrimp thrive Most folks think I have a background in ecology (I'm actually an electrical engineer). After pouring mend using one of the shops that support the in plant beds. Submerged plants also provide through nature books to identify weeds and waterfowl, you get to know them quite well. Florida Native Plant Society, found at http:// habitat for many insect species and other floridagardener.com/FLNatives/NPS.htm. invertebrates that are, in turn, important shorelines in Florida. We have chosen these flowers that make it easy to identify. Water- For larger purchases of a dozen or so plants, foods for brooding aquatic hens and migrating plants because they are native to Central fowl and mammals feed on the seeds, while it would be worth it to visit Florida Native waterfowl. Plants also improve water quality Florida, love full sun, withstand variable the flowers attract butterflies. Plants Nursery in Sarasota (http://www. by absorbing nutrients and pollutants. They flooding, are robust and grow easily, and are floridanativeplants.com/) or aquatic Plants of protect the lake shoreline by holding soil on 3. Alligator Flag / Fire Flag grows up to 9 feet readily available. These plants are perennials, Florida in Myakka City (http://apofl.com/), the lake bottom and water’s edge—which in tall from a thick rhizome and blooms from but are dormant during Florida’s mild winters, which is open by appointment only. turn reduces erosion. summer to fall. The leaves are lance-shaped, when the roots or rhizomes remain alive. That brings us to the first rule of with broadly rounded bases. Multiple small, Native plants will multiply quickly. A few Where Can I See Aquascaping? aquascaping: You must have permission three-petal purple flowers hang from the canna plants, for example, spread rapidly to Once you start your aquascaping project, to do any work in a retention pond. Regional, bracts, attracting butterflies. fill in relatively large areas. Others, like na- you’ll pay more attention to vegetation in county, city and residential authorities plan tive iris, may take a few seasons to really start 4. Southern Blue Flag is a tall wildflower with ditches and retention ponds as well as local and control retention ponds. growing. The beauty of these plants is that pale-green, sword-like leaves that grow in parks. You’ll contrast those sites with the Most governing bodies will be pleased to each of them can be propagated by simply di- strong, flat vertical fans. The showy iris flow- typical dull retention pond that merely have you aquascape retention ponds, but they viding your existing plants. You just break up ers are deep blue-violet with yellow and white has grass or weeds at the water’s edge. One will want to see your plans before you dig the an older plant with a small shovel, stick the markings. of my favorite spots is the pond at Walter first hole. pieces in the muck, and lovingly pat them in 5. Golden Canna is a native plant that typical- Fuller Park in St. Petersburg, an oasis in an Retention ponds are often fairly small in place. ly grows to four feet tall, with showy yellow urban setting. It is the perfect showcase for a total size, typically less than an acre. They are flowers. Several species of butterflies draw natural, non-chemical approach that requires also usually shallow with gently sloping sides. 1. Pickerelweed: The easiest way to recog- nectar from its flowers and it is a host plant less maintenance and provides habitat for To imitate a natural pond and maintain a nize pickerelweed is by the spectacular spike for the canna skipper. wildlife. of violet-blue flowers from March to Novem- healthy ecosystem, you will want a balance of Ernie Franke is a retired electrical engineer ber. The nectar of the flowers attracts many 6. Sand Cordgrass is a large, bunch-forming submerged plants, floating plants and plants who aquascaped “his” pond at The Shores in insects, including bees and butterflies. The grass that grows 4 to 6 ft tall. The leaves are that usually grow at the edges of a pond. Each St. Petersburg beginning in 2009. A longer seeds are a good food source for ducks and rolled, almost wire-like and a little sandpa- has a different function and will help keep version of this article, including photos and muskrats, while the leaves and stems provide pery (but not sharp) to the touch. Birds feed your pond clean and disease free. longer descriptions on his top ten plants is online good cover for birds, swimming mammals, on its seeds. Second Rule of Aquascaping: at www.baysoundings.com/stories/aquascaping. fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Always select native, non-invasive plants. 7. Horse Tail is an ancient, fern-like ever- asp His first article on pondscaping was published Selecting plants for your pond involves 2. Arrowhead / Duck Potato: Despite the green, reaching a height of 3 feet. It is dark in the Summer 2010 edition of Bay Soundings and consideration of several factors, including name, ducks rarely consume the tubers, which green with jointed or segmented stems 1/4 to is online at www.baysoundings.com/stories/Adopt- the size of the pond, the depth of the water, are usually buried too deep for them to reach, 1/2 inch thick, with no true leaves. It is eaten A-Pond.asp Email him with additional questions and the amount of sunlight. Over the years, although they often consume the seeds. Duck by waterfowl and mammals. at [email protected] or call I’ve come up with a “top ten” list of plants potato has large, distinct arrowhead-shaped 8. Spatterdock (cow lily) blooms from spring 727-393-8639. that can be used along shallow lake and pond leaves and conspicuous three-petaled, white to summer with yellow lily-like flowers that

10 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com Slip-Sliding Away seawalls. Rebuilding oyster bars offshore is an Continued from page 1 environmentally friendly way to protect those first dredged 90 years ago are exposed for the areas, according to Peter Clark, president of first time in decades. Tampa Bay Watch. But around the corner, on the northwest “We’ve had great successes at a number of shore of Bird Island, a series of concrete reef locations in Tampa Bay,” he said. “They’re smaller, with a lower profile than some balls installed last May are slowing down the other methods, and they’re much more waves and protecting the shoreline. Unlike the environmentally friendly. Not only do oyster traditional rip-rap, which only has a lifespan bars help stabilize a shoreline, they create of five to seven years and provides very little hard-bottom habitat that oysters can colonize habitat, the reef balls are designed to last for and more oysters mean better water quality.” decades and provide shelter for sea creatures Hundreds of volunteers have helped build like crabs and small fish. Photos by Victoria Parsons Left, mangroves and marsh grass are sprouting on the protected shoreline along the southern shore oyster bars in Tampa Bay, one bag of oyster Each of the 212 balls – weighing in at more at Sunken Island. Right, wave-attenuating reef balls were installed along the northwestern shore last shells at a time in locations from Weedon than 8,000 pounds – look like a giant Lego summer. Island and the Schulz Preserve to MacDill Air with a flat bottom and triangular shapes cut Force Base and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Protecting Egmont isn’t as simple as The best hope for protecting Egmont is out of its sides. Placed offshore in a pattern (Work is still underway at Schultz Preserve and installing reef balls on a small island with clear an unlikely source – fines paid by BP and its that allows manatees or dolphins access to Weedon Preserve, volunteer opportunities are ownership. Egmont is owned by the US Fish partners in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. and from the shallows, the reef balls break the listed in the Bay Soundings calendar.) and Wildlife Service as a National Wildlife A trial is scheduled to begin later this month waves as they come ashore, then hold the sand At MacDill, where the southeastern tip Refuge but that agency doesn’t have the budget as the water recedes. and some people are predicting that a final of the Interbay peninsula is eroding rapidly, “What we’ve done is create a calm lagoon or the expertise to fortify the island’s shoreline. settlement could top $20 billion. Current law a fifth phase of oyster bars is being planned. in front of the beach,” Paul said. “We’re seeing The US Army Corps of Engineers has the puts those funds into general revenue but the “They’ve beensummer very successful,” 200 says2 Jason sand accumulate instead of washing away. expertise and the sand, but funding must come widely supported Restore Act would send 80% Kirkpatrick, natural resources manager with Mangroves and salt marsh are growing again from the USFWS or directly from Congress. of the funds toward coastal restoration. the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron. “They and birds have room to nest.” The USACE already has placed nearly a “After years of wear and tear culminating haven’t 100% stopped the erosion but we are million cubic yards of sand on Egmont from with last year’s oil spill, much of the Gulf seeing salt marshes growing.” Egmont Key Still Vulnerable maintenance dredging since 2000 but without Coast is in need of some major repairs. The A plan to place larger reef balls further fortification the sand continues to wash Restore Act is one step towards revitalizing Further south, at the mouth of the bay, waves offshore is on hold following questions from away. A 2008 feasibility study by the USACE the Gulf Coast and areas like Egmont Key,” and wakes from ships passing in the nearby the Florida Department of Environmental assessed alternatives and recommended the said Senator Nelson, who co-sponsored the channel continue to wash away the western Protection and the Agency on Bay Management construction of a sheet pile wall. Without local legislation along with Senator Marco Rubio. shore of Egmont Key. Historic structures, about seagrasses growing in the area where the funding sources, a Congressional directive Without protection, the worst-case including gun batteries built to defend Tampa reef balls were planned. “We took a step back is required to cover costs estimated at $15.9 scenario for Egmont Key is nearly invisible Bay during the Spanish-American War, are and since there isn’t any money available in million for the first year and renourishment just a few miles away. Passage Key, once a 60- now underwater. About half of the island’s land 2012, it’s effectively back-burnered until 2013 every seven years at about $8.5 million each. acre island with a freshwater lake, has eroded mass has been lost since it was first surveyed in or 2014.” Representatives from three Congressional so much that it is now merely a sandbar. The oyster bars, at 18-24 inches tall, are 1877 and managers are concerned that it could offices, including Rep. Kathy Castor and very effective most of the time, except when split in half in a bad storm. Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, have Oyster Bars Protect Shores, Provide Habitat storm-driven waves at high tides wash over toured the island and Congressman Bill Young While the Alafia Sanctuary and Egmont them, Kirkpatrick adds. “We’d been seeing has been a long-time supporter of Egmont, Key highlight potential problems with habitat erosion at close to a foot per year, but the notes Richard Sanchez, president of the destruction in Tampa Bay, erosion is an issue oyster bars have slowed it down substancially." Egmont Key Alliance. almost everywhere that isn’t bordered by

With the short-term impacts of wave-driven erosion already causing tremendous damage to some areas in Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is taking a longer look at problems likely to occur with climate change and sea level rise. A new project focused on assessing critical coastal habitat will kick off this year, with the first meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. The long-term “on-the-ground” monitoring program would assess plant community and other functional changes in critical coastal habitats, including: • Establishing permanent fixed transects in each of the four primary bay segments, preferably upslope from areas currently monitored for seagrass growth. • Collecting quadrant data along the transects at low tide in November to identify plant species composition and richness, species cover, salinity and data on fauna such as fiddler crab density. • Identifying long-term commitments fromTBEP and its partners since the monitoring program will need to continue for several decades to be effective. Other initiatives planned to help meet the challenges of climate change include an updated habitat vulnerability assessment based on sea level rise of 0.5-2.0 meters by 2100. Additionally, an interactive tool for land-use planners is being developed based on those vulnerability maps to incorporate climate resiliency in habitat restoration and protection strategies.

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 11

summer 2002 Rainwater Harvesting plants. The third tank is used for Continued from page 1 flushing toilets and includes a Checklist for UV purification system as well His goal was to irrigate 900- as a connection to the city water Rainwater Harvesting plus new landscape plants using system. “It’s on a float valve so Roof size: Calculate square footage low-flow and mist irrigation with there’s always water available even including space like garages and water collected from 3100 square if we don’t get any rain.” covered porches but subtract areas feet of tile roof. Space limita- Above, a rainwater harvesting In retrospect, the design would that would be difficult to connect tions – combined with a wife system at the new Dunkin' Donut have been significantly more by gutter. who made aesthetics a top prior- in St. Petersburg is visible from cost effective if it had not called ity – limited Roth from installing the drive-through lane. Right, Carl for indoor water use, Brattian Determine maximum capacity of a cistern large enough to capture Roth's cistern was designed to be notes. “It’s not really a practical your roof: Roofs act like gigantic inconspicuous in his side yard. funnels catching water. A general all the rain that lands on his roof. Photos by Brian Gregson and Carl Roth application for most people “An inch of rain pretty much fills because city codes required that rule of thumb calls for a half-gallon a 1500-gallon tank,” he notes. “I the rainwater was treated and it of water per square foot per inch of was really glad that the tank overflow was sized water Services in St. Petersburg. “You catch the got a little complicated.” rainfall. A 2000-square-foot roof correctly to deal with heavy rains.” water on your roof, it runs down gutters and Because it was new construction, building the could capture 1000 gallons with an Installation of the system was simple enough into tanks and then it’s pumped back out when rainwater harvesting system was “nearly a wash” inch of rain although most systems that Roth created a Power Point (http://www. you need it.” in terms of construction costs, he adds. “We used divert the first few gallons instead baysoundings.com/stories-images/rainwater. Costs for professional installation can vary copper gutters but we went with less-expensive of allowing it in the system. pps) to encourage other people to build their significantly depending upon whether a customer PVC pipes inside the walls to collect the water. Estimate the amount of own. “I wanted to show ‘handy’ folks that the is looking for low-volume irrigation or a totally At that point, it doesn’t make sense not to harvest water needed: Demand varies project is relatively straight-forward and should off-the-water-grid home that recycles “gray” rainwater.” dramaticallysummer based on200 the 2type of not be too daunting.” water from showers and washing machines as In fact, Brattian predicts that Florida building landscape and irrigation system. In fact, the toughest parts of the project were well as capturing rain, he says. “Most of our codes will eventually require that all new homes An automatic irrigation system sourcing the cistern and then digging a hole installations are upscale new homes,” Gregson are built with rainwater harvesting systems for treating 500 square feet of turf deep enough that the 1550-gallon tank didn’t said. “They’re taking a whole-house approach irrigation. “It just requires a couple of simple uses about 4700 gallons during the dominate the yard, he said. “Do a lot of research with other green features like solar power and steps and we need to save all the water we can.” spring dry season. A manual system before you buy a tank, some of them are two or natural lighting. They’re definitely looking at Along with the dollar savings homeowners would only use about 2800 gallons three times the cost of others.” costs and return on investment but they also have realize, capturing rainwater helps minimize and irrigating plants other than With Roth doing the installation himself, the strong conservation mindsets.” contaminants that flow into Tampa Bay. turf would require even less water. total cost of the system was just $2250, includ- That was exactly the case for the owners Stormwater, which picks up pollutants as it flows Optimally, the rainwater harvesting ing fittings and pipes for the irrigation system of the region’s first certified Platinum LEED through yards and across parking lots, contributes system, irrigation system and as well as an automatic controller with rain sen- (Leadership in Energy and Environmental more than half of the nitrogen in the bay. landscape will be designed to work sor. “It works even better than I expected,” he Design) home built on Coffee Pot Bayou. “They Rainwater harvesting hasn’t been evaluated for together. If necessary, your cistern said. “I had to use supplemental water when we didn’t care what size or style the house was, they its impact on stormwater treatment and nutrient can be connected to a water supply first installed the plants, but the cistern gives me wanted it to be certified as Platinum LEED,” run-off but clearly there is an impact, Bracciano line with a float valve so that water is about three weeks of water using the low-flow notes Jimmy Brattain, president of Design Works said. Most rainwater harvesting systems release available even in times of drought. emitters twice a week.” Florida, which designed and built the home. the first half-inch of rain – which typically From a technical perspective, rainwater har- Three 900-gallon tanks capture about 80% of contains the highest level of contaminants – Conveyance: Do existing gutters vesting is so simple that people in places like the rain that falls on the waterfront home with so measuring the impact isn’t quite as easy as capture all rainfall? Will additional Key West have been doing it for many years, two of the tanks providing low-flow irrigation subtracting the gallons of water harvested. “We downspouts be necessary to adds Brian Gregson, general manager of Rain- for a landscape that contains 100% native haven’t done that research yet.” connect to the cistern? If your home is surrounded by trees, you may need to install leaf guards on your gutters. Build a Better Birdhouse Continued from page 16 Building a Birdhouse Pretreatment: Will you need abandoned, but dead or sick trees are a first-flush device or a filter to Floor of Depth of Ht. of Entrance Diam. of Ht. Above Special separate out leaves and other litter? typically trimmed in urban and suburban Species Cavity Cavity Above Floor Entrance Ground Notes settings so these birds may need artificial Carolina Wren 4”x4” 8” 1”-6” 1.25” 6’-10’ use shelf, basket or gourd Determine your cistern nest structures. Bluebird 5”x5” 8” 6” 1.5” 5’-10’ requirements: When buying or building a bird Crested Flycatcher 6”x6” 10” 6” 2” 8’-20’ • Size needed house, make sure it is designed for a Purple Martin 6”x6” 6” 1”-2” 2”-2.25” 10’-20’ will also use gourd • Material type specific species – not just for "birds." • Above or below ground Commercial boxes are often built more Wood Duck 10”x10” 24” 20” 3” h x 4” w land: 15’-25’ use predator guard water: 5’-25’ to attract buyers than birds. Keep in mind • Foundation material that each species has preferred nesting Downy Woodpecker 4”x4” 10” 8” 1.25” 6’-20’ Put 3-4" sawdust in box • Strapping (if above ground) requirements. The closer you match Red-bellied or 6”x6” 15” 9” 2” 8’-20’ Put 3-4" sawdust in box • Tank level indicator these preferences, the more likely it is Red-headed Woodpecker • Overflow valve, where directed that your nesting structure will become Flicker 7”x7” 18” 14” 2.5” 8’-20’ Put 3-4" sawdust in box • Connection to potable water occupied. Tufted Titmouse 4”x4” 8” 6” 1.25” 5’-15’ source For more information, visit http:// Chickadee 4”x4” 8” 6” 1 1/8” 5’-15’ Distribution: pump or pressure myfwc.com/viewing/adventures/wildlife- Screech Owl 10”x10” 24” 20” 3” h x 4” w 10’-30’ tank? viewing-at-home/cavity-nesters. Barred and Barn Owl 12”x12” 25”-28” 12”-16” 7”x7” 10’-30’

12 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com

summer 2002 serve where they are causing severe damage. Using the “Mark/Re-sight Method,” hogs Estuary Program will be marked with paint and surveyed sev- eral times to determine behavior patterns. Florida West Coast RC&D Council, Tarpon Tag Sales Benefit Bay Mini-Grants Awards $81,000 in $4,240 for workshops to be held at Gamble Creek Farm to educate farmers in Best Man- agement Practices for water conservation, More than $1.5 million in Bay Mini-Grants have been awarded to community Community Grants successful use of tailwater recovery, reclaimed groups across Tampa Bay since the program was established in 1998 with funds water, micro-irrigation and hydroponics. raised through the sale of the Tampa Bay Estuary specialty license tag – most com- Science teachers’ workshops will incorporate monly known as the “Tarpon Tag.” The Tampa Bay Estuary Program has sustainable agriculture methods into their The Tarpon Tag is the only marine tag where all the funds raised stay in the awarded 21 community groups a total of curriculum. Tampa Bay area, notes Dave Moore, program development director for the Tampa $81,000 for projects that directly involve citi- Manatee School for the Arts, $4,935 for Bay Estuary Program. “The colorful new tags, including the manatee, turtle and zens in restoring and improving Tampa Bay. marine biology education and environmen- dolphin tags, support state-wide programs but the Tarpon Tag money stays right More than 30 applications were received for tal stewardship program allowing economi- here.” the program. cally disadvantaged students to participate in As the economy has declined, so have sales of the tag, forcing TBEP to cut Recipients by county include: projects like salt marsh restoration, building maximum amount of the mini-grants from $7,500 to $5,000. A bill in the legisla- oyster domes, invasive species removal, water ture now will raise the donation for the tag from $15 to $25. Hillsborough County testing, coastal clean-ups and community- “They’ve been $15 since 1999 when they were first introduced and now we’re Community Stepping Stones, $4,940 based trips. one of only 15 tags that cost just $15,” he said. “We have a core group of about for their “One Waterway – One Tampa Bay” 8,000 plateholders so raising the cost will bring in about $65,000 per year.” program targeting at-risk teens who will Pinellas County Since the donation is a smallsummer part of the overall 200 cost2 of learn how their community connects to the Canterbury School of Florida, $5,000 the tag, most people probably won’t even Hillsborough River. to create a custom salt marsh grass nursery notice that the cost has gone Hillsborough River Watershed Alli- and learn how plants act as natural filters to up, he adds. ance, $5,000 to expand the Frog Listening clean the water, followed by planting events Nearly all of the Network display at Lowry Park Zoo with new at Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. TBEP’s revenues goes information on frogs and toads as indicators Friends of Fort De Soto, Inc., $2,500 for directly to the Bay of the health of the environment. an education kiosk highlighting information Mini-Grants. Funds Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, $2,300 to about nesting shorebirds at the bird sanctu- directed to the Agency expand the popular Keep Our Schools Beau- ary on North Beach. Girl Scouts will lead the on Bay Management are tiful to several additional high schools in project, and the kiosk will include their pho- primarily used to publish Hillsborough County. tos as well as a “talk box” so visitors can learn Bay Soundings. Robinson Elementary School, $2,390 the importance of protecting nesting and mi- for the “Grow – Learn – Teach – Reach” grating birds. program that includes field trips followed by Jungle Terrace Civic Association, Inc., student-created lesson plans and projects tar- $2,687 for the 5th Annual Parks Clean-Up in geted toward younger students. conjunction with city, county and other local Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage organizations targeting areas around Jungle Center, $1,668.19 to create an attractive Lake, Abercrombie Park and along the Pinel- learning including field trips to Tampa Bay groups to clean up spoil islands in Tampa Bay low-impact landscape using Florida native las Trail, including the removal of invasive Watch’s Marine Education Center to work and help eradicate invasive plants. plants with signs to direct visitors to different plants. on restoration efforts such as salt marsh grass For additional information on each of the areas and plants within the park. Nature’s Academy, $5,000 to create an planting for shoreline restoration, construc- projects, visit the estuary program’s website Hillsborough Head Start Community Island Adventure Pilot Project with nature tion of oyster domes and oyster shell reef and at http://www.tbep.org/bayminigrants/re- Foundation, Inc., $2,000 for the “Natural walks, dip netting and a coastal clean-up at planting of sea oats and dune sunflower. cipients_2011_2012.html. Applications for Beginnings to Butterfly Endings” project. Fort De Soto Park. Students will be tested The Shores of Long Bayou Homeown- 2012-13 must be complete Oct. 1; learn more Two butterfly gardens will be planted and to measure new knowledge and Keep Pinellas ers Association, Inc., $4,800 to restore a re- at http://www.tbep.org/bayminigrants.html. parents will attend classes about water con- Beautiful will document the total amount of tention pond that drains into a larger pond servation and chemical-free gardening, then trash collected. that has been restored. Residents of the re- take plants home at the end of the year. Pinellas County Commission for Parks tirement community will be recruited to help and Conservation, $5,000 for invasive plant remove muck and invasive plants, then plant Manatee County control at Walsingham Park. The two-phased native species that clean water and attract Around the Bend Nature Tours, $4,800 project also includes hands-on community wildlife. to cover field trips for 350 K-8 students at involvement and educational signage. Council of Neighborhood Associations Emerson Point Preserve with hands-on ac- Seminole Middle School (Environmen- of South Pinellas County, $5,000 for a two- tivities focused on the connection between tal Club), $4,095 for a native plant beautifi- day event that will restore Brooker Creek Tampa Bay and its watershed. cation project that restores school property to at Campbell Park with volunteers removing Clerk of the Court of Manatee County, a “living model” that demonstrates environ- trash and invasive plants and installing native $4,663.80 for a sustainable landscape at the mental value. Native plantings will promote plants and educational signs. Manatee County Courthouse to educate visi- environmental literacy and inquiry-based tors about native plants and environmental science activities to engage students, faculty, Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas Counties landscaping practices. staff and parents about the connection be- Keep Pinellas Beautiful, $4,760 to cre- Bay scallops ready for release into lower Tampa Eckerd College, $475.93 to estimate tween the community and the watershed. ate “Adopt an Island” program that provides Bay as part of a 2006 Tampa Bay Estuary populations of wild hogs in Terra Ceia Pre- Tampa Bay Watch, $4,875 for hands-on signs, bags and litter pickers to organized Program Mini-Grant.

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 13

summer 2002 QuarterlyCalendar The Bay Soundings calendar lists some Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. of our favorite events and top trips, but Behind the Science programs at Petersburg, 727- 893-7326 or www. there are many more events online at Mote Marine Laboratory offers kids stpete.org/boyd www.baysoundings.com where you will ages 6 and up an opportunity to experience the lab’s groundbreaking Brooker Creek Environmental Education also find more complete information Center, Tarpon Springs, 727-582-2100 on each of the outings. It’s compiled research. Ninety-minute programs on Tuesdays and Saturdays through or www.pinellascountyextension.org months in advance so we strongly May introduce marine animals Camp Bayou, Ruskin, 813-641-8545 or suggest that you contact organizers to and environments that inspire www.campbayou.org confirm. To allow additional space for the research conducted by Mote events, contact information is listed at Clearwater Audubon Society, 727-518- scientists. Topics range from 6241 or www.clearwateraudubon.org the bottom of the page. penguins, turtles and manatees to kayaking and seagrass snorkeling. Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo, 727- february Details and registration at www. 582-2100 or flbg.org mote.org/behindthescience. Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, www.myfwc.com/research/ Feb 25, 10-11:30am, Florida Snakes, Native Necessities to Invasive about/outreach/ Predators program at Brooker Creek Heritage Village, Largo 727-582-2233 Preserve. Ongoing Events or www.pinellascounty.org/heritage Feb 25, 2-3:30pm, Owl Cast Cafe© at Hillsborough County Extension, www. Weedon Island. Feb to May, Birds of Tuesdays March to May, 2nd and 4th Most Saturdays and many hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu or 813-744- Feb 25, 8am, Bird Circle B Bar Brooker Creek and 10-11am, Mote Aquarium: Saturdays,10am-1pm. Ask Sundays, 10-11am; Guided 5519 Preserve with Tampa Audubon Society. Wild Florida, a series of Mommy and Me: Exploring a Master Gardener, Rocky Nature Walks at Fort DeSoto summer 2002 workshops presented by the Bay. Bluff Library, Ellenton. Park. Keep Manatee Beautiful, www. Feb 25, 8–11:30am, Shorebirds ID Sensing Nature. keepmanateebeautiful.com or 941-795- program with St. Petersburg Audubon. Second and Fourth First Saturdays, 8-11am, Most Saturdays, Guided 8272 Feb to May, Weedon Thursdays, Book Time at Bird Walk with St. hikes at Brooker Creek and Feb 25, 9-11am, Guided tour of Keep Pasco Beautiful, www. Flatford Swamp in Myakka City. Island Workshops – Brooker Creek and Wee Petersburg Audubon at Weedon Island. Restoring Nature’s Balance, Time at Weedon Island. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve or keeppascobeautiful.org or 888-454- Various Dates and Times; Feb 28,1:30-4:30pm, Smart Landscape workshops presented by Moccasin Lake Nature Park 8837 Wednesdays, 11:15am, Coast Guard Auxiliary Safe – Planning And Care, Manatee County Sensing Nature. with Clearwater Audubon. Keep Pinellas Beautiful, www. Extension. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Boating Courses available Jungle Boogie for ages 3 throughout West Central keeppinellasbeautiful.org or 727-533- Feb 29, 9-11:30am, Bucket Brigade and 4. Florida. Visit www.cgaux.org. 0402 program on container gardening,

Manatee County Extension. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, www. keeptampabaybeautiful.org or call 813- Mar 6, 2:30-4:00pm, Manatee Energy Mar 31, 8am, Dunedin Hammock City Native Plant Communities from the 221-8733 march Efficiency Project, Manatee County Park Bird Walk with St. Petersburg Ground Up, Pasco Environmental Manatee County Extension, 941-722- Extension. Audubon Society. Lands. Mar 1, 12-1:30pm, community 4524 or http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu outreach volunteer training for Tampa Mar 8, 9am-noon, Agency on Bay Mar 31, 10am–2pm, Drive-by Invasives Apr 26-27, 9am-noon, oyster shell bar Pasco County Extension, 352-518- at Fivay Cemetery, Pasco County Bay Watch. Management meeting. building at Weedon Island with Tampa 0156 or www.pasco.ifas.ufl.edu Environmental Lands. Mar 1, 6:45-8pm, Salty Topics – Bay Watch. Mar 8 & 9, 9am-noon, oyster shell Pasco Environmental Lands Division, Underwater Soundscapes of Coastal project at Schultz Nature Preserve with Apr 29, 8am, Fort DeSoto Park birds, 727-847-2411 or www.pascocountyfl. Florida, Weedon Island Preserve. Tampa Bay Watch. april Tampa Audubon. net Mar 2, 5pm, Magnify It, plant ID Mar 8, Two classes at 2pm and 6:15 Pasco Native Plant Society, 727-849- program, Pasco Palms Preserve. pm, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Apr 7, 8:30am-1pm, “Give A Day for may 2335 or http://www.pasconativeplants. Mar 3, 7am, Tampa Audubon Society around ponds, Pinellas County the Bay” with the Tampa Bay Estuary Extension. org tours Felts Audubon Preserve, Program invasive plant removal at May 4, 7-11pm, Tropical Nights Benefit Emerson Point Park and The Celery Mar 10, Noon-3pm, Discovering Walsingham Reservoir, Largo. for Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful at the Pinellas County Extension, 727-582- Fields. Wildlife with Your Child: Brooker Creek Apr 12, 9am-noon, Agency on Bay Cruise Terminal 2100 or www.pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu Preserve. Management Meeting. Mar 3, 9am-noon, Florida Friendly May 5, 10:30-noon, Ocean Habitats at St. Petersburg Audubon Society, www. Family Festival focused on Mar 10, 2-4pm, The Feathers of Florida Apr 17, 7pm, Water, Wilderness, The Pier Aquarium. stpeteaudubon.org or 727-526-3725 environmental awareness and water – Past, Present and Future. Weedon Wetlands and White Birds with St. May 8, 7pm - "Becoming Better South Florida Museum, conservation, Manatee County Island Preserve. Petersburg Audubon Society. Fairgrounds. Environmental Stewards Through the Bradenton, 941-746-4131 or www. Mar 12, 7:30pm, Mote's Immersion Apr 21 & 28, 8am, Spring Migration Florida Master Naturalist Program", southfloridamuseum.org Mar 3, 9am-noon, Plant salt marsh at with St. Petersburg Audubon, Ft. Cinema with José Castro. Pasco Native Plant Society. Tampa Audubon Society, www. Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve in DeSoto County Park. Ruskin with Tampa Bay Watch. Mar 13, 7pm, "Introducing Florida May 12, 9am, Wildflower Walk. Upper tampaaudubon.org Friendly Landscaping to a Home Apr 21, 2-4pm, Unveiling Our Urban Mar 3. Noon-12:45pm, Rain Cotee Preserve, Spring Hill. Pasco Tampa Bay Estuary Program, St. Owners Association (HOA)," Pasco Wildlife, first of a three part series. County Environmental Lands. Harvesting, Pinellas County Extension. Petersburg, 727-893-2765 or www. Native Plant Society. Weedon Island Preserve. Mar 3, 10-11:30am, Prehistoric Florida May 13, 6:30pm, Coffeepot Bayou Bird tbep.org Mar 17-18, Tour Sanibel Island and Apr 21, 8am-noon, Great American Island boat trip with St. Petersburg program at Brooker Creek Preserve. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Corkscrew Swamp with Tampa Cleanup, locations throughout the Audubon. Mar 3, 9-10:30am, History Hike at Audubon Society. Tampa Bay region. Pinellas Park, 727-570-5151 or www. May 18, 6-8pm, Tampa Bay Watch’s tbrpc.org Weedon Island followed by a program Apr 21, Honeymoon Island hike, Tampa on coastal archaeology from 11am- Mar 17, 3:45-7pm, Sunset Cruise in Potluck on the Porch. Audubon. Tampa Bay Watch, Tierra Verde, www. 2pm. St. Joseph Sound with Clearwater Audubon Society. April 21, 9am-2pm, Wildlife Safari tampabaywatch.org or 727-867-8166. Mar 5, 7:30pm, Mote's Immersion Contact information for kids ages 3-12. Brooker Creek Cinema with Charles “Flip” Nicklin. Mar 21, 8pm, Stargazing, Upper Cotee Weedon Island Preserve Cultural Preserve, Spring Hill. Pasco County Preserve and Natural History Center, St. Mar 6, 8am-3pm, Live it, Love it, Agency on Bay Management, Tampa Environmental Lands. Apr 22, Earth Day, multiple celebrations Petersburg, 727-453-6500 or www. Preserve it. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Bay Regional Planning Council, Pinellas at various locations. pinellascountyextension.org Environmental Conference for Future Mar 25, Tampa Audubon Society tours Park, 727-570-5151, ext. 32 or www. “Eco Activists.” Golden Aster Preserve, Balm. Apr 24, 7-10pm, Restoring Florida’s tbrpc.org

14 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com

summer 2002 methodology, Letters to the Editor and I accept there is a causal Dear Editor: relationship between I recently read your article describing the study subdivision on the efficacy of fertilizer bans. As a landscape A BIG thanks ponds and contractor, horticulturalist, and ornamental pest residential to the following sponsors for making Bay Soundings possible with our control operator, I really try to do what is best usage/non- for our community and our bay. As you well deepest appreciation for your commitment to celebrating and preserving compliance know, the research and agreement amongst the Florida’s largest open-water estuary. and subsequent “experts” is contentious to say the least. To have runoff, but are a study that answers all of the local competing Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council you similarly science will no doubt be grand! Tampa Bay Estuary Program taking samples I have a few questions about your study and the of the bay? The Florida Department of Transportation, District 7 bay on the whole. Ultimately your study results whole purpose If you or your company would like information on becoming a sponsor of will be of assistance, but for now, any insight of the fertilizer Bay Soundings, please contact Suzanne Cooper at the Tampa Bay Regional would be appreciated. bans is to Planning Council, 727-570-5151, ext. 32, or email [email protected] 1. Every entity concerned about water quality in help the bay. the bay (TBEP, DEP, Sierra Club, Pinellas County, Longitudinal City of Tampa, SWFWMD, Extension, and many nitrogen data more) all advise that if one utilizes “reclaimed of the bay, water,” then curtail fertilizer usage. Yet, seemingly and direct 2. Our estimates indicate that nitrogen from decline in sales of fertilizer, and they tell us that no one is addressing the fact that the City of correlation with the new fertilizer ban periods urban fertilizer use comprises about 20% of the their customers are satisfied with the ordinance- Tampa is loading 55 MILLION gallons of (nitrogen- on the bay, would also ultimately provide some nitrogen carried in stormwater runoff to the bay. compliant products they are offering. The list of containing) treated wastewater – potential valuable data. Would it not? Are there corollary This is an extremely conservative estimate. Urban compliant products continues to grow and Florida reclaimed water into the bay daily. Are the studies and sample analysis directly on the bay fertilizer refers primarily to residential fertilizer fertilizer companies have been very proactive nitrogen amounts in reclaimed water high enough being conducted in concert with this study? (single-family homes, condos, and office/retail about producing 50% slow-release N fertilizers for landscape usage and augmentation, but not I really appreciate your expertise on the complexes). Most of the local governments use and zero N fertilizers to meet demand. The high enough to harm the bay? Please help me aforementioned questions. Again, I am a very little fertilizer; Pinellas does not fertilize majority of ordinance violations that were issued understand the numbers. landscape contractor, many people ask me any of its properties in Pinellas County (which enforces anymore, except for its ordinance very aggressively) 2. How much loading does residential fertilizer questions about this issue. I know what the athletic fields. Even were given to commercial fertilizer use account for relative to other nitrogen inputs, environmental lobby claims, and what my industry the Florida Department applicators. The most common such as the City of Tampa reclaimed treated espouses. I follow my industry’s lead because Our study will help to of Transportation has violations were applying fertilizer wastewater (if indeed this is a problem), farm I trust their science. If however there is fresh or stopped fertilizing determine whether, and to right before or during a heavy operations in east Hillsborough county (if indeed contradictory data, I want to know about it, for my highway medians rainfall, and leaving fertilizer their practices make their way to the bay), septic business, my community, and my industry. Once what extent, the fertilizer and shoulders. As granules on roadways and other tanks, industrial usage, etc. into the bay? And, more, I am contacted by customers and citizens far as benchmarks impervious surfaces or blowing are your current “residential” usage amounts regarding our fertilizer usage. I try to relay, and bans are working. It is our for residential usage them into ponds or storm drains. strictly residential usage rates (ie: homeowners), answer folks questions, by framing both sides of fertilizer, studies assumption that communi- However, I personally have worked or does it include municipal usage (parks, of the argument. But, on the aforementioned conducted in the Wekiva with several lawn care companies recreation fields, etc.), certified pest control questions, I require clarification. ties which have a sales ban Basin and other areas that have been very supportive of operators, theme park usage, golf courses, etc.? Will Womack, President indicate that fertilizer in place will show a greater the ordinance and pleased that Can you separate input sources? Tampa Bay Landscaping use is highest in deed- BMP training is now required of all I ask because a recent study I read by IFAS restricted communities reduction in nitrogen; our applicators in Florida. reported that municipalities account for 3% and especially in deed- We Respond: study is designed to test 4. Our study is indeed taking of the fertilizer usage in Florida, pest control restricted communities samples of nitrogen both in storm and environmental horticulture professionals We asked Nanette O’Hara, public outreach served by professional that hypothesis by mea- water ponds (in cross-sections accounted for 4%, and homeowners accounted coordinator for the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to lawn care companies. of neighborhoods where the only for well over 50%! Defining which users are the respond: suring nitrogen levels in 3. Our study will help source of nitrogen is lawn fertilizer) most egregious will no doubt help in solving Mr. Womack: to determine whether, communities with different and in the receiving waters of the the long-term solution. Also, do you have and to what extent, bay. We have tracked nitrogen benchmarks for residential usage? I, like many Thank you for your inquiry. Here are answers to fertilizer ordinances (i.e. the fertilizer bans loadings in Tampa Bay for close others, suggest that the current bans in the bay your questions: are working. It is Hillsborough versus Pinellas). to two decades and have very area will indeed change purchasing behaviors, 1. Regarding nitrogen in reclaimed water, the our assumption that good estimates on loads by bay but not usage. Certified pest control operators amount varies according to the utility. But, communities which segment as well as at smaller will comply because they (I) have a direct financial overall, most reclaimed water in our area is have a sales ban in scales. For this study, we are incentive to do so! Your quantitative data will not treated as thoroughly as wastewater that place will show a greater reduction in nitrogen; especially interested in measuring nitrogen be great, but informal qualitative studies of is directly discharged to the bay. The City of our study is designed to test that hypothesis by amounts at a very localized level (thus, storm blog responses on media coverage (on TBO Tampa’s wastewater, for example, is treated to measuring nitrogen levels in communities with water ponds) to ensure we are only measuring and other local news sites) seems to indicate advanced standards which remove more than different fertilizer ordinances (i.e. Hillsborough nitrogen from residential fertilizer and not from any that homeowners will not comply with the 96% of the nitrogen prior to discharge to the bay. versus Pinellas). After one full year of a use and other sources. Because storm water ponds within rulings. Again, isolating the worst offenders, if The City of St. Petersburg’s wastewater, which sales ban in Pinellas County, I can tell you that the bay watershed ultimately drain to the bay, possible, will be beneficial. But to do so requires is largely reclaimed for use on golf courses, the overwhelming majority of homeowners are then logically less nitrogen going into those benchmark usage before the ban, usage during, medians, commercial properties and residential complying. In order for them not to comply they ponds means less nitrogen going to the bay. who or what is the offending party. lawns, contains much more nitrogen. By our estimates, a homeowner irrigating twice a week would have to drive to another county to buy But, yes, we are monitoring both the ponds 3. According to the construct of your study, as with 0.75 inches of reclaimed water from St. fertilizer, and studies conducted by IFAS indicate themselves and the nearest bay waters they drain described in the article on your website, samples Pete per irrigation would not need to apply any that people buy fertilizer from the closest available to. Our research may not give us all the answers will be taken from neighborhood storm water fertilizer at all to the lawn, per IFAS fertilization store, NOT one in another county. They simply to all the questions, but it will be the first real ponds and drains. Again, I cannot wait to see guidelines. The requirements for direct discharge can’t buy fertilizer in Pinellas anymore that is not effort to scientifically quantify and compare the the results of your study. However, and I am of wastewater to the bay are much more stringent at least 50% slow-release nitrogen from October effectiveness of fertilizer ordinances. We know no scientist (environmental, hydrological, or than those for wastewater that is reused for - May and 0% nitrogen from June - September. many people are awaiting the outcome of our otherwise), thus I am no expert on your scientific irrigation. The retail stores are reporting no appreciable research.

Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | 15 Winter 2012 baysoundings.com PRSRT STD this issue U.S. POSTAGE inside BaySoundingsCovering the Tampa Bay Watershed 1 slip-Sliding Away: Erosion Wiping 1,000-Mile Trek Through Florida Paid Out Critical Coastal Habitat Tracks Corridor for Wildlife c/o Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council ST.PETERSBURG rainwater Harvesting – Eco- 8 Pedal Power: Biking to Work 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd. PERMIT 5899 Smart and Cost-Effective Helps Protect the Bay Suite 100 2 erica Moulton – Making 10 Aquascaping Retention Ponds Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Science Fun Using Native Plants 3 news Briefs & Follow Through 13 estuary Program Awards 4 new Rules Aim to Stop Invasive $81,000 in Community Grants Species in Ballast Water tarpon Tag Sales Benefit Bay 5 from Pasture to Prairie: Pasco Mini-Grants Restoration Breaks New Ground 14 Calendar of Events 6 new Florida Atlas Inspires, 15 letters to the Editor Educates and Entertains 16 BackBay Adventures: Inner-City 7 Despite Recession, Census Kids Learn to Love the Great Shows Big Gains in Conservation Outdoors by Land Trusts

Inner-City Kids Learn to Love the Great Outdoors

By Victoria Parsons can lecture them all day and they won’t pay a Community Development Corporation people participating in nature walks and net bit of attention, but if you get them outside, (UACDC) Girls Club. The goal is to get dipping in the river. “We always seem to get Can inner-city kids learn to love the out- they absolutely understand why we need to kids, who might not ever have a wilderness a lot of parents and siblings for this trip,” doors? protect our natural environment.” experience, outside with adults who can he said. Absolutely, says Rocky Milburn, chair- The Tampa Bay ICO is working with share their knowledge and love of nature. This year’s camping trip is planned for man of Tampa Bay Sierra Club’s Inner-City four groups of inner-city kids, from the “It’s not something we do once or twice a May at Colt Creek State Park north of Outings (ICO) program. Academy Preps in Tampa and St. Peters- year,” he said. “We do monthly events from Lakeland, where kids will spend the week- “Kids who come face to face with the wil- burg, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa August to May and the program always cul- end without electricity or running water. derness learn to love it – and then they learn and Plant City, and the University Area minates with an overnight camping trip.” “This place is so wild that from inside the to protect it,” says Milborn, a former The most recent event with Academy tents you can hear bob cats making a kill,” Eagle Scout who shares his love of Prep of Tampa taught students how to build Milburn said. “We’ll go on a midnight hike the outdoors through the ICO. “You bird nesting boxes that will be placed in Hill- with no flashlights so the kids can really sborough County nature preserves. “We all see the stars, then we’ll come back and sit got together at The Home Depot and built around a campfire with s’mores and story- 30-some boxes to be placed at Cockroach telling.” Bay, Wolf Branch Creek and Golden Aster preserve.” Get Involved with ICO Nesting boxes are particularly critical Leaders of ICO events have extensive because birds like owls, woodpeckers and training in both outdoor skills and first aid, wrens typically nest in cavities in dead trees but adults with outdoor experience are welcome -- usually the first type of habitat to be lost to participate after completing an application in an urban or suburban setting and rela- online at http://ico.sierraclub.org/tampabay/ tively rare even in natural settings. ico_involve.htm. Building nesting boxes gave kids an in- sight into the importance of habitat, Mil- burn said. “You can’t expect to hang a blue birds box in Ybor City and get birds, but you might get wrens because they tolerate a Build a Better Birdhouse more urban ecosystem.” At least 22 resident Florida birds Other excursions include the Great Fort nest in cavities in trees or branches, DeSoto Challenge, an annual event with according to the Florida Fish and kids “rescuing” rocks thrown into the surf, Wildlife Conservation Commission. racing kayaks across the calm lagoons and Most depend upon natural cavities a contest to see which team can pick up the chiseled out by woodpeckers and then most trash. The trip to Crystal Springs Pre- Photo by Rocky Milburn Build a Better Birdhouse serve is a perennial favorite, with up to 50 The ICO trip to Crystal Springs Preserve is one of the highlights of the year at Academy Prep of Tampa. Continued on page 12

16 Bay Soundings | Winter 2012 | www.baysoundings.com