Just as Tampa Electric and partners pioneered a unique public-private partnership to restore Newman Branch Creek in Apollo Beach, TECO team members put the metaphorical cherry – native grasses, to be specific – on top. That was the scene on April 5 along a re-channeled estuary that soon will be teeming with fish and plant species that made the creek their home before development decades ago sealed it off from the surrounding habitat.
With grant money from the Gulf of Mexico Foundation and after digging to re-channel the creek coordinated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, TECO team members planted seashore paspalum and two varieties of cordgrass throughout the habitat near the water, which is adjacent to the Caribbean Isles Mobile Home Community.
“At one point, this phase of Newman Branch was zoned for 120 town homes; it was the residents of Caribbean Isles who let us know it was available for purchase,” said Stan Kroh, manager of Land and Stewardship Programs with Tampa Electric’s Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) team. “It proved to be an incredible opportunity for Tampa Electric and our partners to restore a lot of great shoreline. We’re proud of our terrific relationship with Caribbean Isles. ”
Tampa Electric team members from several departments – including EHS, Real Estate and Fleet Services – joined longtime collaborator Tom Ries, president of the nonprofit Ecosphere Restoration Institute on the April 5 effort, which brings the entire Newman Branch restoration area to 100 acres. The rechanneled creek will have higher water quality due to the tidal flushing that’s now possible, and it will be home to trout, snook, redfish and other species of fish.
“In other parts of Newman Branch Creek, we’ve counted up to 33 different types of fish, so the possibilities for this part of the project are just as tremendous,” Kroh said. “As the new Florida Conservation & Technology Center comes into being, the public – students especially – will benefit from a free facility near Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center that will offer outstanding environmental education opportunities.”
Additional plans for Phase III of the Newman Branch Restoration Project include a bridge over the creek and a nature trail that will connect to the Florida Conservation & Technology Center. Kroh said that the overall Newman Branch project, which began in 2006, is something the entire community can appreciate.
“The hard work today by TECO volunteers to bring us up to 100 acres of restored habitat is a victory for everyone who loves West Central Florida,” he said. “Now we can let nature take over, and before long, the lushness of the area will be an amazing thing to see.”
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