A few years ago Mary Hampton founded the Environmental Discussion Group in the Villages, where OSFR members Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson and current President Mike Roth gave talks. Sierra Club member Chris Mericle also gave a talk to them on the environmental threats of phosphate mining. Mary has since changed her domicile to the Tampa area and promptly founded the Envir0nmental Discussions Group of Manatee County. She has always been a strong supporter of OSFR.
Happily, the restoration of the water quality of Tampa Bay is one of Florida’s few success stories thanks to the hard work and intelligent foresight of many residents. This laudable achievement is now threatened lately however, due to the frequent and sometimes careless sewage spills coming from Pinellas County.
Following is a paragraph from Mary referring to the interview with Peter Clark CEO of our sister organization Tampa Bay Watch, Inc.:
“Members of the community group, Environmental Discussions Group of Manatee County, traveled to Tierra Verde, FL, to meet with and interview Peter Clark, Founder and CEO of the 27 year-old organization: Tampa Bay Watch, Inc. We asked Peter a variety of questions about the mission and accomplishments of the organization. We also asked questions about the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) which incorporates the counties of Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas. Peter Clark offered much information regarding the critical importance of community volunteers to the outstanding accomplishments of the Tampa Bay Watch organization.One may now view the video that was taken during the interview by visiting: https://youtu.be/2khB2oBE7y8.”
Dear OSFR members and Officers,
We want to thank you for helping bring attention to the continued efforts of Tampa Bay Watch, Inc., established 27 years ago by Peter Clark. Their achievements have been made due to the continued efforts of civic groups, church groups, PTA groups, educators and their students, citizen divers, and other concerned citizens. The Tampa Bay Estuary has been made more healthy due to the efforts of so many caring people. Thank you, OSFR, for helping bring attention to this success story!