In 2020, we launched our Conservation Department, dedicated to protecting and restoring the habitats our native birds depend on. Our work extends beyond rehabilitation—through hands-on habitat restoration, community science projects, and meaningful environmental education programs, we strive to strengthen entire ecosystems, not just individual species.
Every nest we protect, every invasive plant we remove, and every community member we teach contributes to a healthier environment for the birds in our care. When a patient is released back into the wild, we want to know it’s returning to a safe, thriving habitat where it can flourish.
Discover the projects we’re leading, the partnerships we’re building, and the impact we’re creating as we work to protect our region’s natural heritage—one habitat at a time.
Eco-Discovery Center
Inside the Eco-Discovery Center, you’ll meet a diverse group of ambassador animals that call our local mangrove ecosystems home. Each of these species plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance that allows our mangrove forests to thrive—filtering water, recycling nutrients, and supporting the complex food webs that sustain countless forms of life.
As you explore, you’ll discover the unique stories behind these animals, learn how they adapt to life in this ever-changing environment, and uncover their surprising connections to our feathered friends who depend on the mangroves for shelter, nesting, and food. Together, these ambassadors help tell the larger story of why healthy mangrove habitats matter—and how we can protect them for generations to come.
Mangrove Habitat Nursery
In 2023, we received a grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to establish our on-site mangrove nursery—a project that has quickly become a cornerstone of our restoration work. Here, we cultivate hundreds of red, black, and white mangrove trees each year, carefully nurturing them from tiny propagules into healthy young plants. Once established, these “baby trees” are transplanted into restoration sites throughout the Tampa Bay area, where they help rebuild shorelines and strengthen coastal habitats.
Mangrove forests are vital for countless reasons. Their complex root systems create nurseries for fish and crustaceans, provide essential shelter for birds, stabilize shorelines against erosion, and act as powerful natural filters that improve water quality. They even help store carbon, making them an important ally in climate resilience.
By growing and planting these mangroves, we’re not just restoring habitats—we’re helping rebuild the natural systems that protect wildlife, support local communities, and keep our coastal ecosystems thriving for generations to come.
Native Plant Gardens
Last year we replaced all of plants on the sanctuary grounds with native plants. Thanks to our friends at Wilcox Nursery, we have several pollinator gardens. What are pollinator gardens you might ask?
Native Pollinator Gardens
Native pollinator gardens are gardens that use native plants to provide nectar and pollen for pollinating insects. Pollinators are important for plant reproduction and biodiversity, and they support many ecosystem services that humans benefit from, including food security.
Why are these plants so important and how do they benefit the birds?
- Biodiversity
Pollinator gardens increase native biodiversity and sustain biodiversity in urban areas. - Food and Habitat
Pollinator gardens provide food and habitat for pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. - Wildlife
Pollinator gardens provide food, water, shelter, and places to raise young for wildlife
- Climate Resiliency
Pollinator gardens help with stormwater management and reduce the heat island effect. - Air and Water Quality
Pollinator gardens help purify the air and water. - Pollinator Gardens
Pollinator gardens provide birds with food in the form of nectar, pollen, seeds, and fallen fruits. For example, some plants produce nectar and pollen to attract pollinators, while others produce seeds for birds to eat in the fall and winter. They also provide nesting material and refuge.