FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2015
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT COASTAL ISSUES IN TAMPA BAY
~Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves engages with college students during alternative spring break~
TAMPA
– The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s
Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves partners with colleges and universities around the
country to address environmental issues. The aquatic preserves provides
students with hands-on experiences in coastal management. Nearly a dozen
student groups collectively donate thousands of volunteer hours annually.
“We are proud to partner with many prestigious universities
across the nation,” Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves Manager Randy Runnels said.
“Teaching the next generation how to maintain our unique Florida coastal
environment is vital for the preservation of this fragile ecosystem.”
Instead of lying on the beach during their spring
break, several student groups have chosen an alternative experience by
volunteering at the aquatic preserves. Students participate in diverse
activities such as learning how to use GIS technology to map island habitats and
physically removing invasive exotic vegetation to protect the native coastal landscape.
With the help of college students, preserves' staff are able to address many
resource management initiatives over a broad geographical area.
Ohio State University students have been working with
the aquatic preserves office each spring break for nearly a decade. What started
as a one-time alternative spring break service project has become an annual
event. Earlier this month, the Buck-I-Serve group, comprised of 11 students and one faculty
advisor, worked with students from the University of South Florida and
Eckerd College to remove invasive Australian pine trees from Tampa Bay area
islands and chip them into mulch for the trail system.
Representing various majors, students learned about the
coastal resources, explored the beach and took a boat tour to see the local bird
rookery marine life up close.
Intern and/or volunteer partnerships have been
established with several universities and colleges including the University of
West Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of South Florida,
Eckerd College, the University of North Carolina, St. Petersburg College and
Ohio State University.
The Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves was established in
1969 and includes four preserves in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee Counties.
The preserves partner with scientists, elected officials, citizens and students
to manage and protect the natural resources within the preserves’ boundaries.
The Florida Aquatic Preserve program includes 41 sites encompassing nearly two
million acres of submerged lands managed by the DEP’s Florida Coastal Office.
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