“MacDill AFB and Tampa Bay Watch Collaborate to Enhance Shoreline Ecosystem”

Students from schools in the Tampa, Florida area are teaming up with MacDill Air Force Base and Tampa Bay Watch to protect and strengthen the shorelines of MacDill and support the surrounding ecosystem of Tampa Bay. One school, Richard Jacobson Technical High School, recently visited the base to plant smooth cordgrass, a plant species crucial for maintaining the integrity of the sandy beaches along MacDill’s coastline.

The initiative, called ‘Bay Grasses in Classes,’ involves students working with Tampa Bay Watch to grow and plant grasses on the installation. The goal is to establish a wetland plant nursery and grow smooth cordgrass for transplanting within coastal wetland restoration sites. This program not only helps restore coastal wetlands but also fosters environmental stewardship and introduces students to potential career paths in the Air Force.

The ongoing living shoreline project at MacDill, in collaboration with Tampa Bay Watch, aims to stabilize eroding shorelines and provide habitats for fish and wildlife resources in the Tampa Bay ecosystem. By planting grasses and oyster reefs, the project helps protect the base’s facilities and allows service members to focus on their core missions.

Volunteer opportunities with Tampa Bay Watch provide service members with a chance to contribute to the restoration of the bay area and strengthen MacDill’s shorelines. The continuous effort to plant smooth cordgrass helps prevent erosion and maintain a healthy bay ecosystem. Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities with Tampa Bay Watch to get involved in protecting the environment and supporting the mission readiness of MacDill Air Force Base.