Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Celebrating more than 20 years of
Community Partnerships for a Healthy Bay
Charting the Course for Tampa Bay Climate Change Goals and Accomplishments GOALS:
Preparing for the future impacts of climate change on Tampa Bay.
Climate change refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended
period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation,
or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer (US EPA).
Global warming refers to the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth's
surface. It is caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Global warming is causing climate patterns to change. However, global warming itself represents
only one aspect of climate change (US EPA).
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Photo: http://nation.foxnews.com
Climate Change
Output (Actions)
“Resilient Tampa Bay” will develop
recommendations for local governments
and planning agencies to consider in
protecting vital infrastructure and
transportation; improving economic
development conditions through
adequate storm water mitigation;
reducing flooding; preserving natural
habitats; planning for accidents and
minimizing the impact of hurricanes and
other natural disasters.
Intermediate Outcomes (Results)
TBEP scientists participated in a three-day conference,
attended by more than 150, last year that brought Dutch
experts with experience in managing water levels together
with scientists, planners and students in Tampa Bay to
discuss issues and solutions to sea level rise.
Provide information and support to
TBEP partners related to habitat
restoration and sea level rise in Tampa
Bay.
A Guidebook for Gulf Coast Communities.
The Guidebook will incorporate information produced from
upcoming TBEP research projects, as well as other case
studies from communities across the Gulf of Mexico
region that showcase effective ways to accommodate
climate change in habitat restoration efforts.
To learn more visit www.tbep.org and click on Results & Accomplishments
Charting the Course for Tampa Bay Action Plans Climate Change Goals and Accomplishments The Tampa Bay region's vulnerability relating to urban flooding, storm
surge and sea level rise must be addressed now in order to be
prepared for the future. In recognition of our commitment to assisting
our local government partners in preparing for the effects of climate
change, TBEP has been designated a "Climate-Ready Estuary" by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
What is King Tide and what does it have to do with climate change?
King tides are extremely high tides which occur typically two times per
year, in the spring and fall, when the earth, sun, and moon align and the
gravitational pull is at its greatest.
Diagram: cornell.edu
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Output (Actions)
King Tide Awareness:
Intermediate Outcomes (Results)
“Florida Tide Watch”:
Three Estuary Programs (Tampa Bay, Sarasota and
Low (left)
Charlotte Harbor) in Florida have banned together to
and King
Tide (Below) bring awareness to rising sea-levels in Florida by creating
Contest
a photo-documentary project called, “Florida Tide Watch”
Winning
using an on-line site, Flickr.
photos
By: L. Stults
Photo contest:
A photo contest held this summer (June, 2012) received
more than 160 images showing the difference between
low and King Tides around the Bay area. The top three
contest winning photos are posted on TBEP’s website.
International Focus on King Tide Awareness:
TBEP participates in International King Tide conference
calls to facilitate creation of an internationally
recognizable King Tide logo and ideas for future
awareness projects, internationally.
Nature's Notebook part of the National
Phenology Network
The USA National Phenology Network brings together
citizen scientists, government agencies, non-profit
groups, educators and students of all ages to monitor the
impacts of climate change on plants and animals in the
United States (www.usanpn.org).
Nature's Notebook Workshop:
TBEP staff educated more than 30 people at a workshop
held this winter, (February, 2012).
To learn more visit www.tbep.org and click on Results & Accomplishments