TAMPA BAY WATCH
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Our Mission

Tampa Bay Watch is dedicated to fostering a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

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Discovery Center

Explore our educational space on the St. Pete Pier, featuring interactive exhibits, daily programs, and a touch tank full of animals from the estuary!

Plan Your Visit →

Together, we can bring life to the bay.

It takes a community to make lasting change and protect the future of Tampa Bay’s ecosystem.

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Volunteer Calendar

Check out all of our upcoming volunteer opportunities.

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Become A Member

Are you passionate about protecting our waterways? Take a stand for Tampa Bay’s future.

Membership

Our annual events are designed to educate, entertain, and strengthen the community.

Host an unforgettable occasion at our beautiful waterfront event space.

Weddings and Events →

Shells for Shorelines

Transforming discarded oyster shells from local restaurants into valuable ecological assets

At Tampa Bay Watch, we’re turning the tide on shoreline restoration with our innovative Shells for Shorelines program. Launched in February 2022, this initiative showcases the power of community and environmental stewardship in action. Through our collaborative efforts with local restaurants, we give new life to used shells, transforming them into agents of environmental change.

PROGRAM DETAILS

By the Numbers

Discover the ongoing impact of Shells for Shorelines through the live counter below. Additionally, explore the map to see our participating restaurant partners. Be a part of this sustainability movement by dining at one of these committed establishments.

How does it work?

Tampa Bay Watch collaborates with local seafood restaurants, offering a recycling service at no cost. Our aim is to streamline the recycling process for these establishments, ensuring it is both straightforward and minimally disruptive to their operations.

Shell Collection
Restaurants save used oyster shells in designated 5-gallon buckets provided by Tampa Bay Watch.
Shell Retrieval
Tampa Bay Watch staff and volunteers collect these shells from participating restaurants.
Cleaning Process
The shells are transported to Tampa Bay Watch’s curing station at Fort De Soto to cure for a minimum of 90 days.
Ecosystem Integration
The cured shells are used to create shell bags and vertical oyster gardens distributed throughout Tampa Bay estuary.
RESTAURANT PARTNERS

Interested in becoming a restaurant partner?

Contact Rick Radigan, Oyster Shell Program Manager: rradigan@tampabaywatch.org

PROGRAM SPONSORS
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