29th Annual Fishing Line Island Cleanup
2022-10-15 07:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-16 07:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-17 07:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-18 07:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-19 07:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-20 07:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-21 07:00 - 19:00, 2022-10-22 07:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) and 1 more date | FL
Join Tampa Bay Watch and Audubon Florida for the 29th Annual Fishing Line Island Cleanup.
The goal is to remove hazardous monofilament line from mangrove shorelines. Monofilament or “mono,” is a fancy word for the commonly used plastic fishing line. It has great fishing utility, but can take over 600 years to break down and poses serious threats to birds and other wildlife. Improperly discarded mono and fishing gear leads to wildlife entanglement, accidental hooks, and ingestion.
This will be a self-led event, where participants will travel out to their designated location by personal boat/other watercraft any day between October 15-23 to target shorelines where cast line has been caught in the tree line. Volunteers will compile the recovered monofilament, to be collected, cleaned, and recycled.
There are a variety of sites in which to participate—all critical bird nesting habitat—throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee.

Click here to register to volunteer for this event.

Oyster Reef Ball Construction
2022-11-02 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-14 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-16 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-29 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-12-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Join us at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde to help build oyster reef balls!
This task involves pouring marine-friendly concrete into a fiberglass mold to create oyster reef balls, then taking apart the molds when dry. The reef balls will be installed at a future date to stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion while creating habitat similar to natural oyster communities found along shoreline areas throughout Tampa Bay.
Click here to visit our webpage to learn more about reef balls.
Register to volunteer!

Currents & Crossroads: A Vision for Florida's Ocean & Coasts
2022-12-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
The Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department present the annual Natural History Speaker Series (NHSS), a program that offers fascinating presentations on the natural and cultural history of Florida by individuals who are authorities in their fields.

Red Tide Demise: Mitigation Initiative Update
2023-01-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Mote Associate Vice President for Research, Dr. Richard Pierce, also serving as the Program Manager for Ecotoxicology Research, joined Mote in 1981 as a Senior Scientist, developing a research program focusing on the source, fate and effects of toxic chemicals in the marine environment. With more than 75 published manuscripts and lectures nationally and internationally on his research, Pierce and Dr. Cynthia Heil, a Senior Scientist and Director of Mote’s Red Tide Institute will lead a lecture on Jan. 23. Heil, who has more than 25 years of experience with the science and management of marine and freshwater harmful algae bloom species, focuses on monitoring and mitigating Florida red tide along with the ecology and management of marine and freshwater HABs, nutrients and water quality.
Their lecture on Florida red tide will explain its severe negative impacts on the environment, economies and human health along Florida’s west coast, along with the Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative put in place to combat it. The Initiative, a result of the severe 2017-2019 red tide, provides funding for Mote scientists to partner with other institutions and companies to conduct extensive laboratory and field research on the efficacy of a variety of potential products and technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of red tide.
Mote Members also receive discounted admission to the event.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

Family Program: The Pursuit of Plastics
2023-03-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Let’s take a closer look at plastic pollution and how we can help!

Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent with UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County will conduct a class with a hands-on activity to teach participants about plastic pollution and the effects on the environment. Join us for some educational family fun!
Registration is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Additional Notes: This event will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the main parking lot, and there is a 3-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Auditorium.
Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this class you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Prior to ten (10) working days before the class, please submit your request to accommodations@pinellascounty.org. In your request, please be sure to include the date and title of the program you need accommodations for and what specific accommodations you will need.

FAM Archaeology Kayak Experience
2023-03-11 07:30 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us for an archaeology-focused paddle trip to an excavation site at the Weedon Island Preserve.

Join archaeologists and environmental specialists for a unique archaeology-focused paddling event. This is a one-of-a-kind event, featuring local experts who will guide your experience of the natural and cultural history of Weedon Island.
The trip begins with a paddle from Weedon Island’s fishing pier to Ross Island, a nearby island within the Preserve’s boundary. On Ross Island, participants will explore an archaeological site with Kendal Jackson, a PhD candidate with the University of South Florida who works on Ross Island as part of his doctorate research.
This trip will be led by Rachael Kangas, Director of the West Central division of The Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN), and Dr. Bob Austin with the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education, Inc. (AWIARE). They will make stops along the way to discuss archaeological and historical aspects of the area. In addition, environmental specialists from ECOmersion will be on the water to interpret the Preserve’s natural areas and enhance participants’ understanding of estuaries.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Kayaks will be provided by ECOmersion. Those who prefer to use their own kayaks are welcome to do so, however, neither Sun Dolphin nor Pelican brand kayaks will be allowed.
Attendees will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the fishing pier/kayak launch located inside the Weedon Island Preserve. This kayak trip will be moderately strenuous and is not recommended for first-time paddlers.

Proceeds from this program go to support ECOmersion, AWIARE and FPAN
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

NOAA Aircraft Operations & Hurricanes
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about hurricane research and reconnaissance with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Join us for a talk with Alan Goldstein, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aircraft Acquisition Program Manager, to learn about hurricane research and reconnaissance using specialized aircrafts.
Alan Goldstein is the NOAA Aircraft Acquisition Program Manager, responsible for all new aircraft acquisitions. Previously, he was a design engineer and head of the Science and Engineering Branch at NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center. Alan has over 46 years of experience with NOAA aircraft, including 350 hurricane penetrations and has participated in research projects from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic. He is married to Michelle Goldstein, who volunteers as a docent at the WIP Cultural and Natural History Center and leads the Tot Time programs. They both enjoy traveling and the outdoors, including kayaking at Weedon Island.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Long Center Water Safety Day
2023-05-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Long Center, 1501 N Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL, 33765, United States
Learn about life-saving techniques and the importance of water safety education at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road. Participants can take water safety evaluations with certified instructors, diving demos, swim team information, swim lessons and more. Free event.

Summer Service Program
2023-06-07 08:00 - 11:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Tampa Bay Watch is offering high school students an opportunity to earn community service hours this summer. The program is scheduled to take place on Wednesday mornings 9 AM – 12 PM from June 7 – July 19 at our facility in Tierra Verde with a maximum of fifteen volunteers per project. The minimum age to participate is 15 years old. Examples of projects include assisting with native plantings, oyster shell recycling, cleaning fishing line, and coastal cleanups.
Interested students should email rarndt@tampabaywatch.org with a cell phone number and the dates they’d like to participate.

Managing Our Underwater World in Tampa Bay
2023-06-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about the interesting coastal resources in our backyard Tampa Bay, and how the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves program, in partnership with the community, is working to restore & protect them.
The Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves (TBAP), managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, highlight the best of what our state has to offer: open water, inlet bays, tidally influenced creeks and rivers, oyster reefs, seagrass beds, salt marshes and mangrove forests. These habitats are vital to Florida’s iconic wildlife such as manatees, dolphins, fishes, oysters, and an abundance of wading, nesting and migratory birds. Although not widely known, TBAP even has a variety of corals in its hard-bottom areas.
This program will feature Dr. Randy Runnels of the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves Program. Dr. Runnels earned his PhD in Oceanography from Texas A&M University. His 30+ year career has taken him from the temperate Northern Gulf of Mexico to the Florida Keys. In recent years he has been invited to China and Vietnam as a coastal management adviser on a number of issues. He has managed Tampa Bay’s aquatic preserves for over two decades, and continues to teach college courses in Biology, Marine Science and Environmental Science.
This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 12+. Youth should be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Crab Trap Removal
2023-07-15 08:00 - 12:00 | Fort DeSoto Park, 8250 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Tampa Bay Watch, Ocean Aid 360, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Coastal Impact Fund are coordinating volunteers to participate in a crab trap removal effort at Fort De Soto Park and Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp due to the 10-day regional closure of blue crab fishing. We are recruiting volunteer boaters to remove debris from the water in addition to traps as well as volunteers for a shoreline cleanup.
Click here to register to volunteer.

Outreach Volunteer Training
2023-10-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-10-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Are you a people person? Tampa Bay Watch is looking for friendly volunteers to represent our organization at community events such as outdoor festivals and farmers’ markets. As an outreach volunteer, you talk to the public who come up to our table display about Tampa Bay Watch, including our mission, our restoration and conservation projects, and our volunteer and membership opportunities.
Attend the outreach volunteer training on Tuesday, October 3, 12-1pm or Tuesday, October 10, 6-7pm to learn more about the overall mission of Tampa Bay Watch so you’ll be able to comfortably represent us at community events. The training will include a tour of our facility and a presentation on Tampa Bay Watch restoration and education programs. Food will be provided. Please RSVP by September 27 to Rachel at rarndt@tampbaywatch.org or 727-867-8166 x233.

Mono Clean-a-thon
2023-10-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers to participate in a Mono Clean-a-thon. We’ll be cleaning “mono” or fishing line which 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.

30th Annual Fishing Line Island Cleanup
2023-10-21 - 2023-10-29 | FL
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 out to their designated location by personal boat/other watercraft any day between October 21st – October 29th 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.
There are a variety of sites, all critical bird nesting habitat, throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties. Click here to view the map of the predetermined site locations.
Click here to register to volunteer with your vessel.

BOAT AMERICA CLASSES
2024-02-24 09:00 - 14:00 | ZOOM, United States
CG AUXILIARY CLEARWATER FLOTILLA ANNOUNCES 2024 SCHEDULE FOR
VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS AND BOAT AMERICA CLASSES
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Clearwater Flotilla is pleased to unveil its comprehensive
schedule for Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) and Boat America classes for 2024. Dedicated to promoting
boating safety and education within the community, the Clearwater Flotilla continues its commitment to
ensuring that local boaters are equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary for a safe and
enjoyable time on the water.
Vessel Safety Checks (VSC):
Vessel Safety Checks are a crucial component of the Clearwater Flotilla's mission to enhance boating
safety. Trained and certified examiners will be available throughout the year to conduct complimentary
VSCs for local boaters. These checks cover a variety of safety aspects, including life jackets, navigation
lights, fire extinguishers, and other essential equipment. By participating in a VSC, boaters can ensure
that their vessels meet all required safety standards, fostering a safer maritime environment for all.
Boat America Classes:
The Clearwater Flotilla is also pleased to announce the schedule for Boat America classes in 2024. These
classes provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of boating safety, navigation rules, and
emergency procedures. Whether you're a seasoned boater or a newcomer to maritime activities, these
classes offer valuable insights and practical knowledge that can contribute to a safer and more enjoyable
boating experience. Participation in Boat America Classes is open to boaters of all experience levels, and
successful completion may result in valuable discounts on boat insurance.
Schedule Highlights:
Vessel Safety Checks:
Second Saturday of each month at Seminole Boat Ramp
Boat America Classes are $50 per person, including all books and materials conducted over Zoom from
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM:
February 24 and 25
March 16 and 17
April 27 and 28
May 18 and 19
June 29 and 30
July 27 and 28
August 24 and 25
September 28 and 29
October 26 and 27
November 28 and 29
To participate in Vessel Safety Checks or enroll in Boat America classes, interested individuals can visit
www.uscgauxclearwater.com or call 727-469-8895 for more information and to register for upcoming
events. Spaces for both VSCs and classes are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
The Clearwater Flotilla looks forward to welcoming boaters from the community to these events and
remains committed to promoting boating safety through education and outreach. By working together, we
can ensure that our local waterways are safe and enjoyable for all.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. The
Clearwater Flotilla is dedicated to promoting boating safety and providing assistance to the Coast Guard
in its mission to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s waterways.
