Donations are an important part of the Friends of St. Andrew Bay program. They allow Friends of St. Andrew Bay to continue to do the good things it does, and to maintain the small staff and offices which are critical to completing our mission.
Three things are fundamental to any stewardship organization: people, funding, and knowledge or good science. Cash donations allow Friends of St. Andrew Bay to maintain our offices, where our executive director, grant writer, and administrative assistant work diligently to support the Team and the Mission. Cash donations also allow us to purchase equipment, supplies, educational materials, and to keep vehicles moving and boats afloat. These, in turn, lead to good things being done for the bay – through conservation and restoration work, smart growth planning and implementation, and education for all “users” of the bay.
Our pledge to you is that your donation will be used wisely, in the most cost-effective manner, to conserve the natural resources of St. Andrew Bay and its watershed. Your contribution – no matter how large or small – is greatly appreciated.
BEST/FSAB has an Endowment. If you want find out more about our endowment and how you can contribute, please contact us at 866-515-9998.
At least three species of sea horses inhabit St. Andrew Bay: the lined sea horse (picture), the dwarf seahorse, and the spotted seahorse. Seahorses live in turtle grass beds where they spawn. Eggs are fertilized and broods are raised in the male’s protective pouch, and he provides the parental care. These delicate fishes, which are related to the pipe fishes, can be easily stressed by pollution and/or chemical contamination. They also require healthy, robust seagrass habitat.
Blue crabs are common throughout St. Andrew Bay. The genus name, Callinectes means beautiful swimmer. The species name, sapidus, means savory. Thus, these tasty crustaceans are one of the more important commercial fisheries. Dockside landings in Bay County, in the year 2000, amounted to over 250,000 blue crabs. And as “omnivores,” blue crabs play an important ecological role in our marine community.
The little St. Andrew beach mouse is a subspecies listed as “endangered” under the federal Endangered Species Act. Efforts to protect the mouse and its coastal dune habitat also benefit other animals and plants unique to the coast, as well as citizens who enjoy recreating on islands and peninsulas.
The diminutive piping plover is a winter migrant or visitor to our beaches and mudflats. They are listed as “threatened” and thus afforded protection when on the wintering grounds, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Shorebirds aren’t always the easiest birds to identify, and so BEST can help by connecting new “birders” with experienced “birders” to enhance shorebird identification. Just give us a call – we’ll be happy to point out a plover!
Gulf sturgeon evolved from an ancient group of fish dating back about 200 million years. Sturgeon have rows of armored plates along their sides and back, called scutes. These interesting, primitive fish once frequented the North Bay and Bear Creek areas before construction of Deer Point Dam blocked their way. Gulf sturgeon are listed as “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Recovery of sturgeon populations is under way.
The bay scallop is an important commercial & recreational bivalve mollusk. However, for reasons yet to be determined the populations have nearly disappeared from our bay. As an “indicator species” the scallops may be telling us that something is wrong. BEST partners are working hard to find answers and restore scallop populations.
The little scrawled cowfish moves carefully across the turtle grass beds of St. Andrew Bay, and represents the tremendous biodiversity of our estuary. Over 300 species of fish call St. Andrew Bay their home.
This little crustacean is found nowhere in the world except on the peninsula where Panama City is located. It is, therefore, endemic to our watershed. Faced with potential extinction by uncontrolled urban development, its populations are being conserved by BEST partners including the St. Joe Company, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Blacktip shark adults in St. Andrew Bay are about 5 feet in length and weigh around 50 pounds, although 100-pound individuals have been taken from the bay by recreational fishermen. When hooked, these sharks leap out of the water and make powerful, fast runs. Blacktips also play an important role as predators in maintaining the ecological balance of the bay.
These swift and powerful game fish typify the recreational and commercial fishing resources found within our bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing is a Bay County heritage and a multi-million dollar business. The bay is a fish nursery that provides myriad benefits for renewable biological resources such as the King Mackerel. Conserving bay habitats pays in many ways.
A federally-listed threatened species, the loggerhead sea turtle has made progress toward population recovery. On our local beaches, conservation efforts by BEST partners, including the St. Andrew Bay Resource Management Association, have given these marine reptiles a real chance for survival and population growth.
These beautiful and gregarious marine mammals symbolize the fun and freedom to be found on our bay. But, like us, they are sensitive to contaminants and pathogens, and they remind us to protect the water quality within our estuary.
The Southern Bald Eagle, a subspecies of the American Bald Eagle, represents the vision, range, and audacity of BEST to meet the complex challenges of coastal management for St. Andrew Bay and its watershed. Our bay eagles are a constant reminder of the work we have to do for present and future generations.