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Tampa Bay Watch needs volunteers for "epic" salt marsh planting Nov. 22nd

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Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers to plant plugs of salt marsh along a shoreline of a big coastal tidal pond in the Rock Pond Restoration Site, a state restoration area located just north of the Manatee County line.

The Rock Ponds Restoration Project is Tampa Bay's largest salt marsh restoration effort and a joint acquisition between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the State of Florida. Salt marsh planting projects are an environmental tool for restoring lost coastal habitat and can help prevent erosion and flooding, while helping to improve water quality.

Who: You, your friends, your family, your co-workers, and anyone else!
What: Epic Salt Marsh Planting restoration project
When: Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Rock Ponds Restoration Site near Ruskin map (approximate)

* Registration is required, please register online
* For questions, please contact Rachel Arndt

Volunteer reminders and directions:

This is a very muddy project, you will get dirty! You'll need to wear clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting wet and dirty.

  • Please remember to wear shoes that tie to your feet.

  • Bring a towel to dry off, a change of clothes, and a plastic bag to put your wet shoes in when finished.

  • Please bring a water bottle to fill up and carry with you. There will be coolers full of water, but they will be scattered throughout the site.

  • There are no port-o-lets at this location, but there is a gas station up the road. From the site, it is directly across from US-41.

  • There will be no running water at Rock Ponds. It is a natural area, so there are no spigots. You can clean up in the water by the boat ramp and then head to the gas station to change from wet, muddy clothes to warm dry clothes.