Friends
of the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves
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| Celebrating 55 Years |
 View Event Flyer (PDF)
55 years ago, we went to the moon! That same year, and much closer to home, the Florida Legislature established the Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve and launched our community into a new generation of environmental advocacy. Sponsored
by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the Boca Ciega Bay 50th
Anniversary Celebration was attended by State Officials, County
Commissioners, Mayors, Municipal Elected Officials, County and City
Staff. This citizen-driven and science-based program featured
educational kiosks, interactive activities, a virtual reality (VR)
headset experience, and special prizes. The event was held at St
Petersburg College Seminole Campus and spearheaded by Friends’ life
member Terry Fortner.
The
honorable Roger H. Wilson was recognized for his life-long service and
commitment to Tampa Bay’s natural resources. Roger served in the
Florida State of House Representatives from 1968-1976, where he
authored the 1969 Bill that established Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve
and the 1972 Bill that established Pinellas County as an Aquatic
Preserve. Due in large part to Roger’s service, there are now 41
aquatic preserves in Florida.
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The Friends of the Tampa Bay
Aquatic Preserves, Inc.
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and was founded in 2019. This
citizens support group supports the efforts of the Tampa Bay
Aquatic Preserves.
Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve was designated to help prevent the historically negative events in Boca Ciega Bay from being repeated elsewhere.
The Boca Ciega Bay and Pinellas County Aquatic Preserves (referred to collectively as the Pinellas County Aquatic Preserves) were designated in 1968 and 1972, respectively. Boca Ciega Bay was designated as an aquatic preserve to aid in halting the wholesale dredging and filling of the bay that occurred with the finger fill developments of the 1950s.
Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve
Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve was designated to help prevent the historically negative events in Boca Ciega Bay from being repeated elsewhere.
The Boca Ciega Bay and Pinellas County Aquatic Preserves (referred to collectively as the Pinellas County Aquatic Preserves) were designated in 1968 and 1972, respectively. Boca Ciega Bay was designated as an aquatic preserve to aid in halting the wholesale dredging and filling of the bay that occurred with the finger fill developments of the 1950s.
| Tampa Bay's Aquatic Preserves | |||
| PINELLAS COUNTY AQUATIC PRESERVES Boca Ciega Aquatic Preserve and Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve are collectively known as the "Pinellas County Aquatic Preserves". |
There
are Four Aquatic Preserves in the Tampa Bay Area |
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| BOCA CIEGA AQUATIC PRESERVE |
PINELLAS COUNTY AQUATIC PRESERVE |
COCKROACH BAY AQUATIC PRESERVE | TIERRA CEIA AQUATIC PRESERVE |
Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve
In the News
Celebrate
Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic
Preserve's 55th Anniversary
View Event Flyer (PDF)
Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic
Preserve Turns 50
Preserve's 55th Anniversary
View Event Flyer (PDF)
Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic
Preserve Turns 50
TAMPA BAY NEWSPAPERS
- Read Article
Gus
Muench Waged a Campaign to Protect
Cockroach Bay and the Little Manatee River
Cockroach Bay and the Little Manatee River
Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve:
A Conversation with Roger H. Wilson
Roger Wilson, who was a member of the Florida House of Reps. discusses the history of the Bay and how he was instrumental in making the Bay an Aquatic Preserve.
Click to View Video "Off the Beaten Path"
Off the Beaten Path
Florida DEP Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve Restoration
Alternative Spring Break
Every year, out-of-state students and community groups come to the Tampa Bay area through programs such as “Buck-I-Serv” to learn about and help restore Aquatic Preserves, managed by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.
Positively Impacting
Our Preserves
A Conversation with Roger H. Wilson
Roger Wilson, who was a member of the Florida House of Reps. discusses the history of the Bay and how he was instrumental in making the Bay an Aquatic Preserve.
Click to View Video "Off the Beaten Path"
Off the Beaten Path
Florida DEP Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve Restoration
Alternative Spring Break
Every year, out-of-state students and community groups come to the Tampa Bay area through programs such as “Buck-I-Serv” to learn about and help restore Aquatic Preserves, managed by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.
Positively Impacting
Our Preserves
As
citizens who support the management and conservation of our Tampa Bay
aquatic preserves, our non profit group is capable of enhancing the
efforts of our governing agencies, scientists, and employees who study,
administer, and care for these extensive aquatic preserves in the Tampa
Bay area.
Positive impacts we provide, include:
Positive impacts we provide, include:
- Funding projects
- Providing volunteer support
- Advocating for preservation and restoration efforts
- Enhancing educational curriculum in our schools
- Providing community outreach and education