Tampa Bay Watch’s Bay Grasses in Classes (BGIC) program aims to facilitate youth involvement in habitat restoration efforts by allowing students to work side-by–side with local scientists to help restore the Tampa Bay watershed. At participating schools, students help to create a wetland nursery where they plant, maintain, and harvest estuarine wetland plants to be replanted into targeted coastal areas. Coastal wetland plants stabilize shorelines, act as storm buffers, filter storm water runoff, and provide habitat for many wildlife species. Throughout the school year, state standard-aligned educational curriculum is offered in conjunction with our service learning projects in order to provide critical knowledge and promote environmental stewardship.
If you are a middle or high school science/agriculture teacher and interested in joining the BGIC program or have questions about the program, contact Tara Kok.