Bay Soundings, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

A bright daytime photograph of Black-eyed Susan flowers blooming in a field. In the sharp foreground, three distinct flowers stand tall on slender green stems, showcasing bright yellow petals surrounding dark brown, cone-shaped centers. The background is softly blurred with a shallow depth of field, revealing more yellow wildflowers, green foliage, and a vibrant blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds.

‘Go native’: FWC scientist has advice for Tampa Bay gardners replacing cold-damaged plants

Native plants in backyards can imitate the wild places we are losing.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings May 1, 2026May 1, 2026

As gardeners across Tampa Bay contemplate replacing their cold-damaged plants or landscaping with new plants amidst the ongoing drought , Johanna Freeman has some advice: go native. A scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Gainesville specializing in terrestrial ecosystems, Freeman notes that native plants in backyards can imitate the wild places we are […]

Scientists could track species invasive to Tampa Bay using eDNA deployed in The Everglades

The Asian swamp eel was confirmed last summer at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

Two cyclists ride along the paved Courtney Campbell Trail in Tampa Bay. The path follows the waterfront with lush green trees and the open bay in the background. Photo courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.

Planned 420-mile Florida Gulf Coast Trail will connect Tampa Bay to Naples

It will link seven counties and 52 rural, urban and suburban communities, including Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to Lee and Collier counties.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

people fishing and swimming by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Potentially dangerous levels of ‘forever chemicals’ found across Tampa Bay region

Researchers documented levels of PFAS that far exceed the EPA recommendations in Tampa Bay’s water, fish and sediments.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

Two people stand with their arms around each other, smiling brightly under a large white event tent. The individual on the left has a large afro and wears round glasses and a black t-shirt, holding up a science-themed educational poster titled "JPSS-1." The individual on the right wears a blue baseball cap with white text, glasses, and a black tank top featuring a National Geographic graphic. In the blurred background, other festival attendees and a computer monitor are visible on a sunny day.

Arts & Entertainment, Events & Film

St. Pete Science Festival, Marinequest, happens this weekend

Both events are free, with a free shuttle provided from the SouthCore parking garage to the waterfront events.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

A professional wildlife photograph of a Roseate Spoonbill in flight against a bright, slightly cloudy blue sky. The bird's vibrant pink wings are fully extended upward, revealing the fine texture of its feathers.

Arts & Entertainment

Reschduled Florida Birding & Nature Festival comes to Apollo Beach in April

A new spring schedule will now allow participants to see even more migratory birds in brighter plumage for their courting season.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

A colorful, hand-painted map showing the entire state of Florida with coastal regions in blue and green land masses marked with areas of protected lands. A compass rose featuring a bear's head is centered on the Gulf of Mexico side.

Even Pinellas can learn lessons from new Florida Wildlife Corridor development guidelines

While focused on large master-planned communities, guidelines in the 153-page book can also be applied to urban areas.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

View of the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal water control structure, showing five large concrete pillars supporting a metal walkway, with the water gates closed, surrounded by green trees and grass.

To provide water for new residents, Tampa Bay Water is evaluating proposals including harvesting freshwater from Pinellas’ Lake Tarpon Outfall

An estimated 38 million gallons of water per day must be available to meet demand.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

An American White Pelican stands in shallow, grey water, showing its long yellow-orange bill, white plumage, and orange legs.

American white pelicans, the original snowbirds, return to Tampa Bay this fall

They nest in colonies of 5,000 birds in isolated areas from Manitoba, Canada and Minnesota west to northern California.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

A close-up photograph of a Brown Pelican gliding low over the water. The bird has a brown body, light neck, and its large bill is pointed forward. The background consists of a clear, pale blue sky meeting the deeper blue of the ocean.

Tampa Bay Watch’s ‘Fishing Line Island Cleanup’ hopes to saves lives

TBW and Audobon Florida’s event is in its 32nd year, and helps more than just pelicans.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

An aerial view of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. A multi-lane highway and a parallel pedestrian path stretch across a wide body of water, with a city skyline visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Courtney Campbell Causeway Expansion could offer a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to restore Old Tampa Bay

The opportunity has broad backing from local governments as well as grassroots support.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings September 29, 2025December 19, 2025

Tampa Bay’s Ecosphere Restoration Institute has been invited to the UN’s ‘Race to Resilience’

The nonprofit founded by Tom Ries in 2003, is also one of the few R2R members with boots-on-the-ground expertise in resilience.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings August 26, 2025September 1, 2025

Permitting initiative aims to help Tampa Bay homeowners build living shorelines instead of seawalls

Streamlining the permitting process could encourage a more viable alternative to traditional seawalls.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings July 30, 2025August 31, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

23 Florida native plants anyone can use for a summer rain garden

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings July 3, 2025

Federal grant will help Tampa Bay’s most vulnerable communities prep for climate change

More than 100 people attended the launch workshop held May 30.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings June 16, 2025July 24, 2025

Damon Moore is working to restore the Manatee River, one oyster reef pot at a time

Oyster reefs are considered critical habitat because a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water every day.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings May 22, 2025August 2, 2025

Tampa Bay podcast blooms into to nonprofit focused on enhancing ocean education in local schools

‘Ocean Class’ is a pilot program being tested in Hillsborough County schools.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings April 28, 2025May 27, 2025

Here’s a list of small, flowering trees you can plant in a Florida yard

Plus six Tampa Bay area tree giveaways happening this week.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings April 17, 2025June 21, 2025

Seagrass acreage in Old Tampa Bay is lower than it’s been in 30 years

Managers think we might need to reconsider the way we measure nutrient loading.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings March 31, 2025May 29, 2025