Formerly known as the Bay Environmental Study Team, or BEST, The Friends of St. Andrew Bay include all of the dedicated members and volunteers who help guide, support and implement our mission and goal. We are a local non-advocacy, volunteer environmental organization that has been in existence in Bay County since 1987. Our mission is to evaluate the status of the St. Andrew Bay ecosystem, identify problems, and initiate corrective actions where necessary. Our goal is to maintain and restore a healthy St. Andrew Bay ecosystem for the benefit of all people.
Over the years, The Friends of St. Andrew Bay have published a number of scientific reports and publications by our volunteer citizen scientists. One of our most dynamic and important publications is our ecosystem management plan, “The St. Andrew Bay Ecosystem, Our Environment” This document is the culmination of the hard work of many dedicated volunteers who have studied our local ecosystem and documented its characteristics. It tells us what we have ecologically in our community and, through our Action Plans, how to conserve and maintain what we have, and restore what we can.
The Action Plans found in the ecosystem management plan focus upon Bay County’s biologically diverse natural resources and habitat, as well as issues related to growth management; the impacts of stormwater and contaminants upon our bay watershed; and, efforts towards community education and outreach. These Action Plans form the basis of the work in our community and are achieved by our volunteers, The Friends of St. Andrew Bay. Our brochure, “Investing in the Future of St. Andrew Bay” details many of our programs and projects, and the people who make them happen.
The Friends of St. Andrew Bay applies for grant funding to accomplish the Action Plans through our Florida not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, The St. Andrew Bay Environmental Study Team, Inc. or, BEST, Inc.
Grant Funded Projects by Friends of St. Andrew Bay
- Shoreline and wetland restoration and management
- Studies of plants, sea life and wildlife
- Student and citizen education
- Stormwater planning and management
- Community smart planning and evaluation