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A Baker's Dozen of Bay-Saving IdeasRing in the New Year by making a personal resolution to help the bay. Your actions, time and money can make a big difference. Here are just a few ways to show your gratitude and feel oh-so-good inside: |
1. Buy a "Tarpon Tag"
Last year, the Tampa Bay Estuary specialty license plate generated more than $90,000 in community grants for bay education and restoration projects conducted by neighborhood groups, schools and non-profit organizations. Cost is $27 ($10 one-time fee to change plate plus $17 for the specialty tag). Call your county tax collector for more information or the Tampa Bay Estuary Program at (727) 893-2765 to request a special form that can be mailed with your auto tag renewal.
2. Get "Down and Dirty"
Give a Day for the Bay lets you get "down and dirty" to help clean up and restore valuable habitat. Sponsored by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and held on a quarterly basis, the next "Give a Day for the Bay" is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, at McKay Bay Nature Park in Tampa. Call Nanette Holland at 727-893-2765 or e-mail nanette@tbep.org for details. Keep an eye on Tampa Bay Soundings' calendar for other volunteer opportunities.
3. Adopt a Critter
Save the Manatee Club, the Florida Bat Center and the Florida Aquarium all offer adoption programs that help protect fragile wildlife populations. Several wild manatees frequently found in Tampa Bay are among Save the Manatee's adoption candidates.
4. Become a Manatee Watch Volunteer
Learn about these gentle giants, then participate in ongoing research and education programs. Visit Tampa BayWatch for more information and class schedules.
5. Preserve Backyard Habitat
You can protect or create a little bit of backyard habitat without living in a jungle or ripping up your entire lawn. Visit Florida Yards & Neighborhoods for inspiration and information on Florida-friendly landscaping.
6. Minimize Runoff
Stormwater, carrying pollutants from streets and yards, contributes more pollutants to Tampa Bay than any other source, but you can minimize the impact from your yard. Use slow-release fertilizer and spot treat problems on an as-needed basis rather than as a preventive measure. Or, make sure your lawn service doesn't use excessive fertilizer or pesticides. Visit Tampa Bay Water's website for a sample lawn service contract.
7. Take One Step at a Time
Walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to work when you can. Auto emissions increase air and water pollution, plus you'll save money and minimize stress. Check out Bay Area Commuter Services for more information.
8. Save Valuable Wetlands
Avoid cypress mulch. In Florida, cypress trees are being cut down faster than they can grow, damaging valuable wetlands. Using "enviro-mulch" made with melaleuca gives private industry a reason to cut down these invasive trees. Other good choices are pine bark and eucalyptus.
9. Keep Conserving
Even though we've survived the region's worst-ever drought, saving water is still critical. Install low-flow toilets and showerheads. Repair dripping faucets - even at just one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year. Check your sprinkler system at least quarterly to make sure that it's not wasting water and install rain shutoff devices so it doesn't run if it's not necessary.
10. Think Before You Pour
Many hazardous products flow from household drains and stormwater systems into Tampa Bay. Try non-toxic cleaners and pesticides - you'll be amazed at how well they work. Clean clogged drains with a mixture of 1 cup each of baking soda, salt and white vinegar. Pour down the drain, wait 15 minutes and flush thoroughly with boiling water. For a terrific furniture polish, mix 2 teaspoons lemon oil and 1 pint mineral oil in a spray bottle.
11. Keep Harmful Materials Out of Landfills
Most of us already recycle newspapers, glass, plastic and aluminum, but other household waste can be highly toxic. Recycle batteries and your obsolete or broken computers, faxes, and VCRs. Keep batteries, thermometers and items like paint, fertilizer and pesticides separate from your every-day trash. Contact your solid waste department for information about local consumer electronic recycling and toxic waste collection programs.
12. Pay It Forward
Share your love of the outdoors and respect for nature by taking a child fishing, hiking, canoeing or birdwatching.
13. Look Around!
The best way to begin saving the bay is to appreciate all that it offers. Take time from your busy routine to admire a sunset over the water, watch a pelican dive for dinner, snorkel in a seagrass meadow or follow fiddler crabs through a salt marsh.
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