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Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center

Camp Bayou has been owned since 1995 by Hillsborough County
Parks and Recreation Department under their Environmental
Land Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP). Its acquisition
complements a wildlife corridor which includes the Little
Manatee State Recreation Area, with its 1000+ acres,  less than
one-quarter mile away. State, regional or local governments have
purchased the great majority of the Little Manatee River’s
shoreline (as well as Cockroach Bay).


Location of Little Manatee Watershed in relation to Tampa Bay

Camp Bayou is environmentally sensitive and will remain so as an 
ELAPP property. The site is also the location of a now abandoned
70 slip recreation vehicle/campground with limited wastewater,
water and electrical services. The condition of the property had
been degraded through the camp activities, in evidence from
years of trash, still routinely found and carted away by
volunteers. More importantly, the site is home to extremely
significant ecosystems which exist within the park. These
include pine/palmetto scrub uplands, live oak hammock and
oligohaline wetlands that serve as nurseries for a wide range of
critters. A sizable population of gopher tortoises makes their
home in the scrub, while manatees are often seen frolicking in
the river. The pristine and comparatively undisturbed character
of the Little Manatee is made more significant by its location
directly in the heart of one of the largest, subtropical, urban
communities in America -- Tampa Bay. It is the third largest
river in Hillsborough County and has a dominating influence on
the surrounding region, including the intertidal wetlands of the
Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. It has been designated as an
Outstanding Florida Waterway.


Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation, Resource Management
Unit, is responsible for the ecological management of Camp Bayou
which consists of prescribed burning, non-native invasive plant
control and maintenance. Overnight security is provided by
on-site county personnel. Future resource management goals
include optimizing the habitat conditions for listed species.
The RCDF has taken on the project of creating a unique outdoor
learning center for the benefit of Ruskin and all of the Tampa
Bay region….. and beyond!


Highlights
Nature Center:
1. Three trails to explore a variety of habitats- created by
member volunteers
2. Trail/site  map available at visitor's center.
3. Butterfly garden- created by Eagle Audubon Society of SCC
4. Shell paths- shell donated by Caloosa Shell Corp
5. Canoe launch and trail 
6. Pavilion for classes/ meetings- funded by the Community
Foundation of Greater Sun City Center
7. Natural history reference library- via community donations
8. Hands-on activities- partially funded by a mini-grant
from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program
9. Water conservation  demo- funded by a SWFWMD (South West
Florida Water Management District- Alafia Basin) Community
Education grant.
10. Native plant nursery
11. 'Corner Store' - nature related items for purchase
12.  Restroom w/ handicap accessibility- plumbing services
donated by Curtis Silvers.
13. Bird Condos- project of the RCMA (Redlands Christian
Migrant Association) SUCCESS kids.
14. Placed 3rd in the Civic/Non-profit category of the
Gulf Guardian Awards 2001.
15. Instructional site for the Florida Master Naturalist Program (UF/IFAS)
16. 'Jr Naturalist' self-guided activities and periodic group projects
17. Recognized as a 'Site of Interest' along the Great Florida Birding Trail, 2002.
18. Collection site since 1999 for Hillsborough County Stream Water Watch.



Educational Non-Profits at Camp Bayou



Paleo Preserve...


Nature Center
 

updated March 1, 2006   page created and maintained by NEOPHYTES UNYTE!