Discover Tampa Bay at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

from Better Off Wet Water Lifestyle Magazine January 2023

by Better Off Wet - Water Lifestyle Magazine

Preserving History

Discover Tampa Bay at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

Located on the over-water walkway approaching the St. Pete Pier head, the Discovery Center features roughly 3,000 square feet of indoor space — 2,000 of which are exhibits that tell the story of Tampa Bay’s unique ecosystem.

At the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center on the St. Pete Pier, visitors are invited to learn about the local ecosystem and Tampa Bay Watch’s past and current work to restore it. Our exhibit gallery features interactive displays, live animals, and a touch tank. Educational programs and boatbased eco tours are offered daily.

The Ribbit Exhibit features a variety of live native and nonnative frog and toad species that can be found in Florida. Visitors will discover why

native species are important, the dangers of invasive species, and how to tell them apart.

The 240 gallon terrapin exhibit is home to Bertha and Ruby, two rare ornate diamondback terrapins, classified as a vulnerable species. Come meet them and learn how they are different from turtles and tortoises.

Estuaries are nicknamed the “nurseries of the sea” because they are prime breeding grounds, providing protection for young fish and other marine life to hide and eat. In Tampa Bay, red mangroves are an essential nursery habitat. The Living Estuary tank showcases some of the species that depend on these unique, salttolerant trees.

The interactive spin browser high-

lights the history of development, destruction, and restoration in Tampa Bay. Learn how our estuary ecosystem has changed over time and find out about Tampa Bay Watch’s past and present work to protect it.

Discover the many microscopic organisms drifting in Tampa Bay! Our estuary is full of phytoplankton and zooplankton. While at the Discovery Center you can peer through the microscopes to view familiar organisms, such as sea stars, in their earliest floating phases of life. Live plankton samples are collected and shared daily.

Single-use, disposable plastic is the most common type of marine debris, and it’s a real problem for the ocean. This sculpture represents the 1,500 plastic bottles thrown away every second in the United States. Visit this exhibit to learn about plastic’s effects on marine life, Tampa Bay Watch’s beach cleanups, and what you can do to help!

Can you find your home on the critically detailed, laser-cut Birchwood map of Tampa Bay? This work of art by cartographer Dean Forss makes it easy to understand the layout of the bay and the locations of Tampa Bay Watch’s many restoration projects. Oysters play a crucial role in maintaining and improving Tampa Bay’s water quality. The interactive Oysters at Work exhibit shows how these filter feeders remove pollution from the estuary and provide habitat for marine life. In 2021, Tampa Bay Watch built and installed more than 1,000 reef balls as part of our Community Oyster Reef Enhancement Program. The touch tank features some of the local marine life you can find in Tampa Bay. Stop by to learn about and interact with sea stars, sea urchins, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, live shells, and more. It’s fun for all ages. Seahorses are an important indicator species, meaning their presence can tell us about the current health of the

Discover Tampa Bay at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

bay. View live seahorses (and some of their close relatives) in the seahorse tank, and find out how Tampa Bay Watch’s restoration work and research is helping the local seahorse population grow!

Our oceans have been given different names, but they are all one connected body of water. As Florida’s largest estuary, the health of Tampa Bay is linked to the health of the entire ocean. View the One Planet One Ocean video to learn more.

The Discovery Center sandbox projects a topographical map representing our coastline and the animals that live here. Pile the sand high and create an island or dig deep and uncover some interesting creatures! This exhibit is a favorite among young visitors.

An invasive species is an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native. Lionfish arrived in Florida more than 25 years ago via the aquarium trade. These ornate IndoPacific fish are voracious predators that reproduce quickly, and they are having detrimental effects on our ecosystem. View live lionfish, which were caught locally, and find out what’s being done about these damaging invaders. The Discovery Center also offers lionfish dissections weekly!

A living shoreline acts as an important barrier, protecting our coastline by absorbing wave energy which ultimately reduces erosion, filters our water, and supports the growth of marine life. The living shoreline exhibit includes a video and an interactive exhibit that demonstrates how natural shorelines can protect property from waves and storms.