The Terra Ceia Focus Area encompasses the Cockroach Bay-Terra Ceia Bay Frontal sub-watershed in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties, Florida. This area drains into Terra Ceia Bay and Cockroach Bay, both vital components of Tampa Bay, a designated National Estuary. These coastal waters support extensive seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and salt marshes that serve as critical nurseries for fish, shellfish, and other wildlife.
Our Strategic Focus
This focus area was specifically created in order to enhance coastal resilience. Its upland areas adjacent to coastal wetlands provide opportunities for coastal marshes to migrate upslope in response to rising sea levels, helping to sustain critical habitats in the face of climate change. Furthermore, such areas are vulnerable to storm-surge during hurricanes and their conservation will reduce total property damaged.
The area’s natural habitats have notable carbon sequestration potential, as mangroves and salt marshes store significant amounts of carbon. These habitats also provide flood protection to nearby communities by buffering storm surges and absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall events. Additionally, conservation of first-order (headwater) tidal creeks within this watershed will preserve essential habitat for juvenile tarpon and snook.
RETURN TO MAIN OVERVIEW PAGE
Terra Ceia Focus Area Map
