If you’re searching for ways to give back, the Catalyst’s Impact Connector is here to help. Each week, we feature five organizations in the Tampa Bay area that need your input, whether that’s time, talent, items, funding or simply awareness. We’re certain you’ll find something here that matches your interests and will positively impact the community.
Help track gopher tortoise burrows
Heinrich Ecological Services is looking for volunteers to assist with gopher tortoise burrow surveys being conducted October through November in the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve’s uplands.
The survey provides data for new distribution maps, updated estimate of population size, and tortoise population density in each section of the Preserve. This information will be used by St. Petersburg city staff to assess current habitat management strategies that help determine future efforts.
Volunteers must be 18 years and older and complete a volunteer application and a background check.
The volunteer application can be found here. Check off General Volunteer and select “Wildlife Research.”
For general information about the project, click here.
Eagle Crest Lake Cleanup
Stewards of Our Urban Lakes, in partnership with Keep Pinellas Beautiful, the City of St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg College, are hosting a morning of community improvement at Eagle Crest Lake, Friday, Sept. 11 beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Volunteers will assist with the removal of invasive vegetation and lake and neighborhood debris, and the installation of native plants.
Closed toe shoes, such as boots or sneakers, a hat, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle are recommended. All supplies, including gloves, safety vests, trash bags, pickers, sunscreen and bug spray will be provided. Restrooms will be available onsite.
Volunteers under the age of 18 must be signed in by a parent or guardian and anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Volunteers will meet at the St. Petersburg College/Gibbs Campus, 6606 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. Parking is available; however, carpooling is encouraged.
Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz
Parks for Pollinators is a national campaign to raise awareness and community involvement in the pollinator crisis by challenging parks and like-minded organizations to get involved and host a pollinator BioBlitz (a quick, targeted survey of species in a particular area) during the month of September.
Pinellas County, along with the cities of Clearwater and Pinellas Park, is hosting a BioBlitz and is seeking volunteers to help document pollinators and pollinator-friendly plants living in local parks and preserves.
No experience is necessary, just the ability to take photos of pollinators or pollinator-friendly plants and upload them to the iNaturalist app or website.
There are two more opportunities to participate: Sept. 12 at Patti Johnson Farm of Pinellas Park, 6199 94th Avenue; and Sept. 19 at Moccasin Lake Nature Park in Clearwater, 2750 Park Trail Lane.
For those who want to learn even more about the power of pollinators, a Wildflower and Pollinator Festival will be held at Booker Creek Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
To register for an upcoming Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, click here.
Ninth annual Tampa Bay Food Fight to benefit Metropolitan Ministries
The Tampa Bay Food Fight is Metropolitan Ministries’ signature culinary fundraising event where chefs from restaurants in Tampa and St. Peterburg face off in a friendly rivalry to showcase their culinary skills.
Metropolitan Ministries, in partnership with meal site partners across Tampa Bay, distributes hot, balanced and nutritious meals to neighbors facing hunger and hardship.
The ninth annual Tampa Bay Food Fight, taking place Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, includes food samplings from 30 St. Pete and Tampa restaurants, an open bar with craft cocktails, a dessert deck on the second level, DJ entertainment, a live auction and premium raffles.
This year’s team captains are Nick Ocando, chef at St. Petersburg’s Allelo restaurant and Taro Larrea, from The Sapphire Tampa.
Visit the Tampa Bay Food Fight’s website for more information about the teams, participating restaurants and how to purchase tickets.
The James Museum seeks docents to lead tours for 2nd graders
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is looking for volunteers who are passionate about art to lead school tours for second-grade students.
No experience in art history or teaching is required. Docents are required to complete training, must have access to a computer or a Wi-Fi enabled device, have an active email account to receive volunteer resources and information, complete a background check, and pay a one-time fee to cover training materials, an ID badge, nametag and other incidentals.
Amenities include free parking, a volunteer lounge with lockers, and invitations to annual appreciation events, social gatherings and field trips.
More information and the application form can be found here.
By engaging in these five impactful ways to give back, we can empower our communities and contribute to a more compassionate society. If your organization is seeking volunteers, donations or awareness, click here to submit your opportunity. We’ll get the word out to our readers.