Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot

The home city of this Hope Spot, Dunedin, is especially near and dear to Mission Blue’s heart– this town is where Dr. Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue, grew up and first fell in love with the ocean.

The Hope Spot was officially launched in Dunedin on October 25th and 26th, 2019.

Hope Spot Champions Ray Bouchard, Tracy Tippin and Vicki Love, all members of the Board of Directors of Blue-Green Connections say, “The Florida Gulf Coast hosts an incredible diversity of ecosystems and species that need responsible and sustainable actions to ensure it will thrive for generations to come. It is home to almost 100 threatened species! These ecosystems are critical to the economy of the entire state of Florida, and protect both the coastal mainland from storm events and protect the Gulf from adverse human effects.”

Not unlike many areas around the globe, the Florida Gulf Coast faces threats from manmade interference, including offshore drilling, plastic pollution, altered hydrology and the negative effects of a warming climate, including sea level rise. The moratorium of drilling within 225 miles of the coast ends in 2022, and there is a risk that the current federal administration may not renew it. However, the local government and the general populace greatly supports keeping the offshore waters safe from drilling – in November 2018, Amendment 9 keeping drilling out of Florida waters (3-9 miles) passed with 70% of the population’s support.

Thanks to the work of the many organizations involved, including the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and The Florida Aquarium, the Florida Gulf Coast and the beautiful marine life that thrives along its shores and waters is being protected, cherished and invested in for generations of Floridians and global citizens alike to enjoy its wonders.

“In the next 500 years, people can look back and say ‘thank you’ for bringing hope to the Gulf Coast. This is a moment in time where we have to take this knowledge that has been gained and to realize that all of us will win if all of us can restore health and keep it that way for generations to come.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle

To read more about the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot, read the Ocean Story,  Newly Declared Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Shines Spotlight on Community Wide Conservation and Dr. Earle's Beloved Hometown 

About the City of Dunedin

The city of Dunedin is the childhood home of Dr. Sylvia Earle. “The City of Dunedin is thrilled about the designation of the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot. Dunedin is a community that is uniquely invested in our coast as we are one of the few open waterfront communities on the west coast of Florida. The Gulf Coast provides environmental health benefits, a place for recreation, significant cultural values, as well as economic value through eco-tourism. As this beloved resource becomes a designated place for education, research and protection, the City of Dunedin, our residents and visitors will continue to learn more about our largest natural resource and how to become better stewards to this area and to continue to be a premier coastal community. As part of our city’s EPIC! Goals, we will continue to support and foster actionable strategies that provide enhanced protection to our resources.”

About Blue-Green Connections

Blue-Green Connections, a nonprofit organization based in Dunedin, was formed in May of 2019 as a result of work done to nominate the waters of the Florida Gulf Coast as a Hope Spot. The Florida Gulf Coast hosts an immense variety of diverse coastal and marine habitats forming a massive interconnected ecosystem, including mangrove forests, seagrass beds, salt marshes, barrier islands, oyster beds, and blue holes which support a spectacular array of marine wildlife and shore birds. Using the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot as our initial project and rallying point, Blue-Green Connections works with its many partners to educate, understand, and support sustainable use of this precious resource. This is accomplished through educational sessions, facilitating volunteer activities to support restoration, research, and clean-up activities, and actively fostering collaboration.

About Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, based in Sarasota, has conducted marine research on Florida’s Gulf Coast since our founding as a small, one- room shark laboratory in 1955. Since then, Mote has grown to over 20 research and conservation programs that span the spectrum of marine science: aquaculture systems that alleviate growing pressures on wild fish populations; red tide research that works to inform the public and mitigate the adverse effects of red tide with innovative technologies; marine animal conservation and rehabilitation programs that protect animals such as sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins; and much more. Much of this work is based in the unique environment of the Gulf of Mexico, and the new Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot will bring awareness to the region that Mote Marine Laboratory calls home.

About the Tampa Bay Estuary Program

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) is one of 28 National Estuary Programs designated by US Congress to restore and protect “estuaries of national significance.” The program is administered by the US EPA under the Clean Water Act and is directed to develop and implement a scientifically sound, community based plan to protect and enhance the Tampa Bay estuary and its surrounding watershed. TBEP’s latest plan is focused on three core themes: 1) improving water and sediment quality; 2) enhancing habitats for the benefit of fish and wildlife; and 3) promoting an informed, engaged and responsible community in the Bay’s restoration and protection activities. The Program’s recent accomplishments, as well as, the current “State of the Bay” have been highlighted in the recent report here: http://stateofthebay.tbep.org .

About The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium, is located in Downtown Tampa, with a Center for Conservation dedicated to research and rehabilitation in Apollo Beach. Opened in 1995, The Florida Aquarium has welcomed over 16 million guests and has frequently been ranked as one of the nation’s top Aquariums. As a not-for-profit organization, the mission of The Florida Aquarium is to entertain, educate and inspire the stewardship of the natural environment. The Florida Aquarium leads the way in coral research and rescue and recently opened a state-of-the-art Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, with one of the state’s deepest turtle-exclusive dive pool. With over 14,000 animals in their care, The Florida Aquarium works to protect and restore the Blue Planet for the next generation and beyond.

About Pinellas County

Pinellas County has over 500 miles of coastline, all within the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot. The county performs many activities to support healthy waters. County activities include monitoring environmental health of the waters and habitats and overseeing beach management activities such as nourishment that provides critical sea turtle nesting and shorebird nesting habitat, providing funding and materials for dune planting and walkovers, supporting a sea turtle monitoring program, and working with the beach communities to reduce light pollution during sea turtle nesting season.