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Announcing the Expansion of Shells for Shorelines:
Calling Seafood Restaurants to Join the Movement
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We’re thrilled to announce the expansion of our oyster shell recycling program, “Shells for Shorelines,” a collaborative initiative between Tampa Bay
Watch and the Gulf Region Oyster Network. This unique program transforms discarded oyster shells into habitats for marine life.
Click on the video to join us on a virtual ride-along to The Oyster Bar and learn about the process of turning shells into invaluable resources.
Indulge in your oyster cravings at select
local restaurants. We’re eagerly seeking new restaurant allies in the Pinellas and Hillsborough areas. So, tell your favorite seafood spot about us so they can become an eco-conscious community leader.
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To learn more or to sign up as a participating restaurant, contact Rick Radigan
rradigan@tampabaywatch.org.
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30th Annual Mono Island Cleanup
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Attention boaters, join Tampa Bay Watch and Audubon Florida for the 30th Annual Fishing Line Island Cleanup! This will be a self-led event
where participants will travel to their designated location by personal boat any day between
October 21 - October 29 to target shorelines where fishing line has been caught in the shoreline vegetation.
Volunteers will compile the recovered monofilament to be collected, cleaned, and recycled.
Click
here to register your vessel.
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Outreach Training is 10/3 & 10/10
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Attend the Outreach Volunteer Training on Tuesday, October 3, 12-1 PM or Tuesday, October 10, 6-7 PM at Tampa Bay Watch in Tierra Verde to learn more about our mission so you’ll be able to comfortably
represent us at community events. The training will include a tour of our facility and a presentation. Food will be provided.
Please RSVP to Rachel at
rarndt@tampabaywatch.org or 727-867-8166 x233.
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Let your inner artist out of its shell! If you need a muse, we have inspiration galore at the Discovery Center during our
Brushes on the Bay painting workshop. Immerse
yourself in an artistic happy hour inspired by our unique estuary ecosystem. This is an after-hours painting session with local artist and marine science educator, Dana Donkle. Enjoy light refreshments and snacks, observe the Discovery Center’s animals, and
bring them to life on your very own canvas. It’s the perfect fusion of art, science, and fun! So mark
October 19
on your calendar and grab
your spot today,
this workshop fills up quickly.
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After School Programs Come Alive
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After school programs take on a new twist when you add live science! And by live, we mean
alive! Thanks to our mobile science unit, we can teach exciting STEM focused lessons aligned with Florida State Standards. Our educators bring live animals, authentic skins, and all the crafts needed to engage your after
school students. The above picture is from a recent visit to Azalea Elementary School. Our goal is to bring exciting hands-on learning opportunities to everyone with a special focus on Title I schools and underserved communities. Click
here to learn how to bring live science to your after school program.
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Do you stay up at night wondering where squid ink comes from? Or how lionfish can carry 30,000 eggs at once? If these questions pop into your mind, we have great news. The answers can be found in a scientific dissection and we happen to
be offering several this weekend! Your curiosity is rewarded in our marine science classroom at the Discovery Center on the St. Pete Pier. In addition to learning about squid or lionfish, you’ll have the opportunity to check out our exhibit gallery and live
animals. So come on your own or grab a group for an enriching learning activity that will answer some of your “deep” questions. Sign up for squid and lionfish dissections
here.
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Join us for the Mono Clean-a-thon on October 11
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Volunteers are needed to clean fishing line at the Mono Clean-a-thon on 10/11 at Tampa Bay Watch in Tierra Verde. The project involves sorting through the used line to remove debris, then cutting out hooks and lures. The clean line will
be contributed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s statewide initiative for proper recycling and repurposing of used fishing line.
Click
here to register to volunteer and see all of the October opportunities.
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The Reef Ball Sponsor Spotlight:
Bonefish Grill
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Bonefish
Grill is a long-term supporter of Tampa Bay Watch through special event sponsorship, support of our Community Wetland Nursery Program, and their employees' participation in our habitat restoration efforts. Bonefish will provide delicious hors d’oeuvres
including their original Bang Bang Shrimp® to guests of Evening for the Bay: The Reef Ball on October 21. Our sincerest thanks to Bonefish for their generous support!
Tickets
and reserved tables are still available for The Reef Ball.
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Creature Feature: White Pelican
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White Pelicans are back in Tampa Bay for their winter migration! Unlike their close relatives, the brown pelican, American White Pelicans are not year round inhabitants of Florida’s waters. They are among the largest birds in North America.
With a maximum wingspan of around 10 feet, these amazing feathered friends are a delightful sight to see. White pelicans feed on small fish by working in groups to herd their prey to shallow waters, where they are more easily scooped into the pelican's beak. Source:
UF IFAS
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Volunteer Fair is Saturday, 9/30
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Join us for the inaugural St. Pete Young Professionals (SPYP) Volunteer Fair this Saturday, 9/30, 10 AM - 1 PM at Childs Park YMCA, 691 43rd St S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33711. You'll be able to mingle with 30 local organizations who are constantly in need of more hands to make magic happen for their causes. Members, friends, anyone in St. Pete interested in giving back - all are welcome to attend. Drop
by the TBW table to say hello!
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