Conserving Tampa Bay’s Waterways

HOW TO DONATE TO THE FISHES WISHES FUNDRAISER: SELECT THE BLACK DONATE BUTTON ON THIS PAGE. THEN TYPE IN TAMPA BAY WATCH OR OCEAN CONSERVANCY UNDER WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT AND DONATE FROM THERE!

My name is Ryan and I am a 14-year-old ocean conservationist. I founded my project, The Fishes Wishes, when I was 4-years-old. 

 Since this is my tenth-year anniversary of doing ocean conservation I am making and selling sun-catchers and donating the money to ocean conservation. In addition, I am continuing to make sculptures out of beach trash to raise awareness. I also clean the local beaches several times a month and in the fall, I will be selling my book that I just completed called InspirOCEAN. 

 Also in the fall my project and my friend’s organization O.N.E. (Ocean Needs Everyone) are teaming up to have a large sea oat planting in Fort DeSoto Park. We chose Fort DeSoto because it is home to mangroves, sea oats and lots of native trees and foliage which helps protect animals and prevent erosion.

 My last goal for my tenth-anniversary is to fundraise for two Amazing Organizations that help to keep St. Petersburg beautiful, Tampa Bay Watch and Ocean Conservancy. Donation made through this page go directly to each non-profit’s organization! 

 The reasons I chose these two non-profit organizations is because they both have a local presence and do amazing work. Not only do they address Florida's coastal and marine issues along with water quality, they do oyster reef restoration, community outreach, ocean trash removal, coastal replenishment and so much more.

But one other thing they do, which is something we don’t hear much about, is that they really help our local businesses thrive. Since we are located in an area surrounded by water, tourism is a huge source of revenue and we depend on people visiting to keep our economy afloat.

I mean Tampa Bay has some of the most amazing cities to visit in Florida, just see for yourself below:

St. Petersburg, a place with so much to see and so much history. Saint Petersburg pier is newly renovated and it is filled with great little shops, art galleries and innovative restaurants. Also located in Saint Petersburg is Tampa Bay Watch, Ocean Conservancy. and the Wyland Art Gallery. Another awesome thing about Saint Pete is Fort DeSoto Park.

Fort DeSoto is home to 328 species of birds, tons of important native wildlife species and essential foliage and provides loggerhead turtles a protected area to lay their eggs. 

 Dunedin is a delightful coastal town surrounded by some of the most beautiful waterways and beaches in the Tampa Bay area. This quaint area is filled with some of the most delicious restaurants and adorable shops. In addition, in Dunedin you will find the Fenway, a very environmentally-conscious hotel. They have supported my efforts along with these fabulous restaurants: The Honu; Casa Tina; Crown & Bull; Caracara; The Living Room; Draught House; and Dunedin Brewery.

 Safety Harbor is a fantastic little town with some beautiful waterfront views. People visit here from all around to dine at the delicious family-owned restaurants and to stroll in and out of all the beautiful little shops located on Main Street, which runs through downtown Safety Harbor. 

Tarpon Springs is home to the Florida Sponge Docks, the delightful Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Animal Sanctuary, along with some of the most delicious restaurants and wonderful stores. 

Clearwater has great beaches, elegant restaurants, hotels and resorts in the area! Clearwater Aquarium is so amazing and is important as they provide rehabilitation and give homes to animals who can no longer lives in the wild. They have also generously  supported my project throughout the years.

Treasure Island/Madeira Beach/Indian Rocks Beach are gorgeous little towns located on the Gulf of Mexico. These delightful areas boast exquisite beaches, stunning waters, along with unique and delicious restaurants and hotels. 

Tampa is a large city that has a zoo and public manatee viewing area along with an impressive array of coffee shops, breweries, desserts and restaurants. It’s also home  to the Florida Aquarium. Not only are the animals exquisite in the sea aquarium but they have supported my project throughout the years. They are essential as they do a lot of education outreach and waterway management in the Tampa Bay area. Tampa

So as you can see, it’s crucial to have organizations that keep the waters clean so that people will want to visit and it is equally vital that these organizations receive support from the community so they can continue to help keep our waterways clean and thriving. 

So please consider donating today, the fish and I thank you for your support!