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

The new Design Guidelines for Corridor Compatible Communities outline best practices for developing new communities near the 18-million-acre Florida Wildlife Corridor to support the habitats and connectivity needed to protect Florida’s wildlife.

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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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 Ray Roa, Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

News & Views

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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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