Young people at YMCA Camp Cristina in Riverview helped the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission cross a significant milestone last week in Apollo Beach.
The young campers were involved in the planting of more than one million plugs of marsh grass for habitat restoration. According to Kevin Baxter of the FWC, approximately 50 to 60 children took part in the planting at a marsh near Dickman Drive, between Apollo Beach Elementary School and the TECO Manatee Viewing Center.
“One million marsh plugs represents an outstanding level of achievement in the health and restoration of Tampa Bay,” said Peter Clark, president of Tampa Bay Watch. “Our community is truly fortunate to have such a wide variety of organizations all working together to ensure critical environments are protected and restored for future generations.”
Rae Waddell, director of the Florida Youth Conservation Center said, “This activity is an example of the network’s efforts to encourage and empower kids to participate in traditional outdoor recreation and conservation stewardship activities.”
On a hot pre-summer day in a steamy marsh in Apollo Beach, several dozen kids certainly were empowered, making a difference in their community that could last for generations to come.