Relax by the Shore and Save It

Tag : Soft Towel

Yet, despite the tranquillity, my mind was fidgety with thoughts ofinjured seabirds, depleted coral reefs and beach rubbish. Why suchserious meditations during a wanton weekend in the Tampa area?Because my self-indulgent sun-worshiper side (you know, the onefrom those Bain de Soleil burnt-toast day) was finally becomingresponsible.
Well, partially responsible.
Across the bridge from Tampa, 35 miles of ivory beaches trim thePinellas Peninsula, a sun-drenched haven sandwiched between theGulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. However, visitors to these shores cando more than just loll on the sand and deepen their George Hamiltonglows. They can do some good.
"By volunteering, you gain a respect for the environment andlearn about the different ecosystems and how to keep themhealthy," said Chris Sutton, an environmental scientist whoworks at Tampa Bay Watch, the nonprofit group I assisted my firstmorning in town.
As the largest open-water estuary in Florida, Tampa Bay could use alittle love and attention. The 400-square-mile body of water isswimming with more than 200 species of fish. In addition, 125 or sobird species, including such Florida stalwarts as pelicans androseate spoonbills, nest and raise their young among the mangrovesand palms.
The heavy shipping traffic in the Port of Tampa, the state'slargest commercial harbor, is stirring up the environment. Addingto the strain is the bay's shallowness (on average 12 feet); tocompensate, heavy dredging is employed, which enlarges the channelbut meddles with natural habitats.
With such a vital ecology at stake, environmental organizations inthe area encourage guests to donate a few hours to their cause.Many of the facilities welcome one-time volunteers, no previousexpertise or guaranteed time commitment required. Additionally, myconscience tells me that if you dedicate a few hours to charitableworks, you can freely indulge in the beaches without a flicker ofguilt.
They called me the Tapping Lady. The nickname came about not fromsome alluring trait, such as my slick Fred Astaire moves, but simply because I was in possession of the hammer.
Tampa Bay Watch organizes an array of volunteer projects throughoutthe year, including derelict crab-trap removals, salt marshplantings and the Great Bay Scallop Search, a census reportcollected with snorkel. During my stay, the group was assemblingoyster domes, concrete structures that foster coral reef growth andattract such salubrious sea life as oysters, real-life Britas thatfilter as much as 10 gallons of water per hour.
When I pulled up to the organization's headquarters, one bridgeaway from Fort DeSoto, a team of seven was already pounding away ina corner of the parking lot, the passing clouds providing scantshade. Sutton handed me a pair of work gloves, pointed out thewater cooler, then sent me off to prepare the rigs for duty.