The Rock Ponds Ecosystem Restoration project is the largest habitat restoration project in the history of Tampa Bay. Located on the south shore in Hillsborough County, this site spans approximately 1,043 acres of various coastal habitats, including 645 acres of uplands, such as pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks, and 398 acres of various estuarine and freshwater habitats, including open water tidal channels and lagoons; low and high intertidal marshes; islands; sand/mud flats; deeper water “holes;” natural limestone artificial reefs; and ephemeral freshwater habitats. The Southwest Florida Water Management District, in partnership with Hillsborough County, Tampa Bay Watch, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, hosted a number of community volunteer marsh planting events to install more than 40,000 plants for the restoration effort.
