Volunteers needed at Cockroach Bay

Anyone who has taken a module at Camp Bayou will know this place...

From Tampa Bay Estuary Program:
Sign Up Now for June 26 "Give A Day For The Bay"

I know we said we wouldn't have any more "Give A Day For The Bay" workdays until Fall. Well, we lied. But not intentionally.

Our friends at Cockroach Bay, near Ruskin in south Hillsborough County, need your help to plant about 5,000 sprigs of wiregrass to restore upland habitats at the preserve. They hope the restoration will help to attract even more neo-tropical migratory songbirds to spend the winter there, like the stunning scissor-tailed flycatchers (pictured, right) and black-polled warblers that have been "snowbirding" there the past few years.

Biologists with Quest Ecology have been studying use of the preserve by these beautiful little birds and are working with Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation on this restoration project. They need to get these plants installed in June so summer rains can keep them watered.

So, if you can take the heat (and it WILL be hot), we have a job for you!

DETAILS:
WHEN: Saturday, June 26 from 8 a.m.-noon
WHERE: Meet at the Cockroach Bay offices at 3709 Gulf City Road in Ruskin
WHAT: Planting wiregrass sprigs - lots of them!
WHO CAN HELP: Anyone 15 or older
WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR AND BRING: Lightweight long pants (NOT jeans) and closed-toes shoes are a must! Long-sleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended. Bring bug spray, sunglasses, a hat and a water bottle (we'll have large coolers of water to fill your bottles). Please bring gloves if you have them. Bring any planting tools you can, such as spades, trowels or shovels.

YOUR REWARD: As always, a free lunch and our eternal gratitude.

Let me know if you can help (email nanette@tbep.org) and how many are in your work party.

Directions to Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve

The preserve office is located at 3709 Gulf City Road in Ruskin.