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NFL Math Adds Up To A Greener Tampa

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: December 15, 2008

TAMPA - It takes some rather complicated math to determine how much pollution and environmental impact is created by a Super Bowl and all its trappings.

And even then, it's a best guess.

But the theory that planting trees can help stabilize shorelines and draw polluting greenhouse gases from the air is pretty basic.

In anticipation of the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium, the National Football League is taking a simple approach with what it calls "the greening of Super Bowl XLIII."

The league is providing mangroves for plantings in the Terra Ceia Ecosystem Restoration Area near the Manatee County line and native trees for the McKay Creek Greenway in Pinellas County.

"It is a way to offset greenhouse gases, but we're going at it from a different angle," said Jack Groh, NFL director of environmental programs.

"We're approaching it more realistically, working with the state and U.S. Forest Service and will have volunteers periodically going out to measure the trees and determine exactly how much greenhouses gas reduction results from the plantings."

The NFL started its planting program five years ago in Jacksonville, but this will be the first time it will include follow-up surveys.

"A year from now, we'll be able to say with real confidence what the environmental impact will be," Groh said.

Tampa Bay Watch, a nonprofit agency that works to protect and restore the Tampa Bay estuary, is taking the lead on the mangrove planting in Terra Ceia, scheduled for Tuesday.

Volunteers and staff members will plant 740 red mangroves along the shoreline there.

The mangroves will serve as a feeding, breeding and nursery ground for a variety of animals and marine life and will also help stabilize the shoreline, protecting it from erosion, Tampa Bay Watch spokeswoman Rachel Arndt said.

At McKay Creek, students from Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg will plant 400 native trees, including buttonwood, wax myrtle and fire bush recommended by the Florida Department of Forestry.

The NFL contributes half the funds for the plantings - there will be 12 done by game day. The property owners pay the other half in cash or in-kind contributions.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

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