APOLLO BEACH — Manatees have long sought warmer waters during winter months, and this week's temperature drop likely gave visitors to the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center a chance to see the marine mammals swimming in the heated discharge from the Big Bend Power Station.
More than 200,000 visitors, including 15,000 students, are expected to take field trips to see the manatees, but guests might not know about all the activity taking place throughout the 525-acre plot of land known as the Florida Conservation and Technology Center.
The multi-organizational conglomeration that includes Tampa Electric, the Florida Aquarium, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida is two years into a master plan of research and education that the public will be able to enjoy for free in three to five more years if all goes as planned.
"It's really just a way to welcome anybody to come and see Florida in its natural environment," said Katherine Claytor, Florida Aquarium public relations manager.
When complete, visitors will be able to see more than just the manatees, and the birds from the 50-foot tower that was added last year. Tampa Electric is drafting plans for an Energy Technology Demonstration Center that will showcase different renewable and distributive generation technologies like solar and wind power. The Florida Aquarium is finalizing a Sea Turtle Hospital to be built in 2017 that will focus on rescue, rehabilitation and research.
In a few more years, as many as eight greenhouses could be ready to continue growing coral for archiving and reef building. Currently, John Than works in the first greenhouse and says the project is an ambitious endeavor.
"We want to archive certain coral so if there was a natural disaster in the wild, we would be able to have that specimen represented and we could reintroduce it back in the wild," said Than, the center for conservations and collection manager for the aquarium.
Construction on FWC's Marine Youth Conservation Center is expected to be finished later this year. Currently, Debbi Stone, the aquarium's vice president of education, oversees the second of a three-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency where approximately 600 fifth-graders from 10 local Title I schools visit the property to learn marine science at no cost.
She said the building will operate like a field house for teacher workshops to teach them how to collect samples and as a home base for outdoor learning.
"This is our opportunity to get kids outside and into nature because what we're really trying to do is inspire their enthusiasm," Stone said about the students who visit each fall and spring to compare and contrast their scientific findings on water, plant and animals predicting how seasonal changes impact the environment.
Aquarium campers already enjoy the nature walking trails and kayaking trail down Newman Branch Creek after Tampa Electric helped restore 100 acres back to its natural meandering path that encourages native habitat. A saltwater fishing pond and fish hatchery also are in the works.
Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines
Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your optionsThe finishing touch on the project, according to Tampa Electric official Stanley Kroh, will be the construction of a welcome center and centralized parking to calm traffic concerns. Guests will park centrally on the Florida Conservation and Technology Center grounds and be transported via solar-powered golf carts to the free attraction of their choice.
Contact Eric Vician at hillsnews@tampabay.com.