Current Projects
MacDill Air Force Base
Ongoing work at MacDill AFB includes restoration of more than 400 spoil mounds created by extensive ditching of wetlands for mosquito control on the base in the 1960s. This “checker-board” system of ditches smothered native mangroves and quickly became overrun by harmful invasive plants such as Brazilian pepper. Ecosphere is working with MacDill to implement a master plan for restoring the Base’s historic mangrove forest. To accomplish this, Ecosphere employs a technique called hydro-blasting, using pumps and high-pressure fire hoses to knock down the mounds to levels low enough to foster mangrove recovery while preventing invasives from returning. Salt marsh grasses also have been planted in some areas to stabilize soils and promote mangrove recruitment.
A unique aspect of this project is the restoration of four acres of salterns, high salt marshes that are a rare habitat of special restoration focus in the Tampa Bay watershed.
COST: $849,425
PARTNERS: Department of Defense/U.S. Air Force, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Florida Water Management District
A unique aspect of this project is the restoration of four acres of salterns, high salt marshes that are a rare habitat of special restoration focus in the Tampa Bay watershed.
COST: $849,425
PARTNERS: Department of Defense/U.S. Air Force, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Florida Water Management District
Haya Linear Park
Haya Linear Park is a public greenspace bordering the eastern shore of the Hillsborough River just north of downtown Tampa. The river shoreline is badly eroding in this area because of boat wakes. Ecosphere and the City of Tampa will restore all 2,200 linear feet of the greenway shoreline, using an innovative Living Shoreline design incorporating boulders and native plants to absorb and deflect wave energy and provide habitat for fish and wading birds.
A small, weed-choked drainage ditch that flows through the park also will be restored as a small stream with sloping banks and wetland plants to slow and treat urban runoff before it flows to the river. The project will reduce erosion, improve wildlife habitat and water quality, and enhance passive recreation.
Residents of the South Seminole Heights Civic Association will assist with native plant installation. A kayak launch will allow access to the Hillsborough River for neighborhood residents.
Completion of this substantial Living Shoreline initiative is expected in 2019.
COST: $76,000
PARTNERS: Tampa Bay Estuary Program (Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund), City of Tampa, South Seminole Heights Civic Association, with in-kind services provided by the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County
A small, weed-choked drainage ditch that flows through the park also will be restored as a small stream with sloping banks and wetland plants to slow and treat urban runoff before it flows to the river. The project will reduce erosion, improve wildlife habitat and water quality, and enhance passive recreation.
Residents of the South Seminole Heights Civic Association will assist with native plant installation. A kayak launch will allow access to the Hillsborough River for neighborhood residents.
Completion of this substantial Living Shoreline initiative is expected in 2019.
COST: $76,000
PARTNERS: Tampa Bay Estuary Program (Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund), City of Tampa, South Seminole Heights Civic Association, with in-kind services provided by the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County
Thomas Tract
Located on Hillsborough County’s South Shore, this long-abandoned tropical fish farm with more than 200 man-made ponds has tremendous restoration potential. The Thomas Tract was purchased in 2012 by Hillsborough County through its Environmental Lands Acquisition and Preservation Program. Restoration work is being conducted by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, implementing an Ecosphere design incorporating removal of invasive vegetation and recontouring of tidal wetlands to serve as fish and wildlife habitat. The project also will accommodate rising seas associated with our changing climate through creation of “stepping-stone” slopes that allow habitats such as salterns and mangrove forests to migrate inland as waters rise. When completed, the Thomas Tract will feature an ecologically rich tapestry of saltwater lagoons, freshwater wetlands and coastal uplands directly connected to Tampa Bay.
Finally, with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, one acre will be designed and planted with sustainable native milkweed plants to support the Monarch Butterfly.
COST: $1,240,000
PARTNERS: Hillsborough County, Southwest Florida Water Management District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Finally, with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, one acre will be designed and planted with sustainable native milkweed plants to support the Monarch Butterfly.
COST: $1,240,000
PARTNERS: Hillsborough County, Southwest Florida Water Management District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service