- Port Tampa Bay has partnered with Cardno to formally adopt McKay Bay Nature Park in celebration of Earth Day. The adoption was formalized through Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Adopt-A-Park program and represents a commitment from Port Tampa Bay and Cardno to eliminate litter and invasive species from the park, as well as, restore and preserve the park’s natural beauty.

The park borders McKay Bay, an important ecosystem within Tampa Bay for seagrass and marine life. McKay Bay Nature Park’s proximity to Downtown Tampa and the water makes it critically important to prevent litter from harming the ecosystem. Port and Cardno volunteers and staff will host several clean-up events to improve the park for years to come.

“Port Tampa Bay is pleased to commit to preserving and improving the beauty of McKay Bay Nature Park through litter clean ups and the removal of invasive species. The port does all it can to contribute to the health of the bay and environmental sustainability is at the heart of our strategic plan,” explains Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay CEO and President.

“Cardno is committed to promoting sustainability and environmental protection.  Earth Day is a time to reflect on the importance of the environment to our quality of life, and we look forward to working with Port Tampa Bay to maintain and improve the McKay Bay Nature Park,” John Bailey, Cardno Senior Consultant.

The adoption of the park compliments Port Tampa Bay’s 2019 adoption of a Watergoat at the entrance of McKay Bay. The water goat is a system of buoys and nets that prevents thousands of pounds of float-able trash from entering Tampa Bay’s watershed.