November Field Mission: Tampa Bay

Join Florida Field Club and Tampa Bay Watch for a conservation experience along the shores of Tampa Bay! Join Florida Field Club and Tampa Bay Watch for a conservation experience along the shores of Tampa Bay! Tampa Bay gives us so many opportunities to enjoy life by the water. Giving back to the bay is a great way to feel connected to our natural surroundings while ensuring thatfuture generations can also enjoy them. Participants in this session will spend part of the day with members of Tampa Bay Watch, who will lead a walking tour at Lassing Park. We’ll visit a recent Living Shoreline installation and have the option to get our feet wetwhile hearing about why and how these volunteer supported projects benefit humans, our local ecosystem, and the global ocean. You’ll discover what happens behind the scenes to plan a Living Shoreline, find out why our water quality depends on healthy habitats, and build a vertical oyster garden for installation on a local dock. This is an active program, so wear comfortable clothing and prepare to get your shoes muddy, if you’d like! To finish our mission we will have the opportunity to create a Vertical Oyster Garden (VOG) that will be placed in the Tampa Bay. These recycled oyster shell structures can be installed beneath suitable docks to provide habitat for marine life and encourage new oyster growth. Each participating child will receive a collectible Field Mission shirt! Don't forget to pick up your copy of Florida Field Club's Tampa Bay magazine before you come. What to Know Before You Go • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can get wet or muddy. • Bring water and sunscreen. • There are no public restrooms at Lassing Park. • This is an active outdoor program with walking along the shoreline. Keep Exploring! After our mission, families are encouraged to visit the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center at the St. Pete Pier, approximately 10–15 minutes away, to continue learning about the incredible wildlife and ecosystems of Tampa Bay. Let's get our hands dirty and help protect wild Florida!