What happens when two local utilities join forces to help the environment? About 700 things!
Namely, nearly 700 red and black mangrove trees were planted at two pivotal locations, thanks to more than 40 volunteers, employees and environmental experts from Tampa Electric and Duke Energy Florida, joined by Coastal Conservation Association Florida, Hillsborough County and Pinellas County.
Why mangroves?
Mangrove trees are one of Florida's true natives. They create an ecosystem that’s vital to the overall health of the state’s coastal estuaries. The trees do many essential things—they reduce coastal erosion caused by storm surges and improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus; their soils and roots absorb carbon dioxide and are home to a wide variety of fish and wildlife; and the branches of mangroves are nesting areas for coastal birds such as brown pelicans and roseate spoonbills.
The mangroves were planted at Hillsborough County’s E.G. Simmons Regional Park and Keystone/Carlton Road in Northern Pinellas County. The locations were selected based on need, environmental factors and consultation with Hillsborough County’s Conservation and Land Management and Pinellas County’s Environmental Management Division.
“This project is a win for the shoreline, a win for our partners, and it reflects our continued commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Archie Collins, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. “We are delighted to collaborate with like-minded neighbors – including Duke Energy Florida - to complete this important coastal resilience project.”
The mangroves were grown and donated by CCA Florida and the Duke Energy Crystal River Mariculture Center, an environmental restoration and conservation center dedicated to rebuilding and maintaining Florida’s fish populations and habitats.
To get an up-close look at a mangrove forest – and much more – the public can visit Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center’s (MVC) easily accessible tidal walk. The MVC is the cornerstone of our Florida Conservation & Technology Center, a 500-acre campus that includes a manatee sanctuary, a rehabilitation center for sea turtles, a coral research center, a clean energy center and more!
