Cool Interactive Report
Yesterday, the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program released the first State of the Bays Report for the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds, which span over 8,000 miles.
Why does this matter: The interactive State of the Bays Report provides a snapshot of key ecosystem health metrics for the Pensacola and Perdido Bays.
Key Findings:
- Oysters are in critical condition in the Pensacola Bay System.
- Seagrass Beds are seeing recent improvements or are stable in the Pensacola and Perdido Bay
Systems. - Water Quality in the Pensacola Bay System has recently improved for phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Chlorophyll-a is stable, but recently declining for nitrogen.
- Inconsistent monitoring makes it difficult to determine Water Quality in the Perdido Bay System.
- Fewer Sanitary Sewer Overflows have occurred in the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds.
- Fewer beach advisories for the Perdido Bay System have been issued due to bacterial concentrations, indicating improved condition.
- More beach advisories in the Pensacola Bay System have been issued due to higher bacterial concentrations, indicating declining conditions, particularly in urban bayous (Texar, Chico and Grande).
- Manatee sightings have increased in both Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watershed.
Dig Deeper: Check out the report here. Visit https://www.ppbep.org/
Money, Money, Money
Why this matters: Mayor D.C. Reeves explained to me that the funds come from the current budget and can be used now to begin the design and construction.
The mayor said the city has all it needs to begin the work. He expects the city to send out the RFQs next month.
The design and construction phases are expected to take 24 months. Warehouse 10 could be ready for American Magic after the 2024 World Cup.
Dig Deeper: Read the city’s announcement.
Argo Baseball On Fire
The games start Thursday, May 18, at Jim Spooner Field with #3 Montevallo (38-14) and #6 Barry (32-17) facing off at noon. #2 UWF (37-15) plays #7 Florida Southern (32-18) at 3:30 p.m.
Why this matters: UWF is making its ninth NCAA Tournament appearance and third in the last four years. The Argos are 21-15 all-time in NCAA postseason play and 7-3 at home. They won the national title in 2011.
On March 22, the Argos’s record was 13-13, having nine of their past 11 games. UWF coach Mike Jeffcoat challenged his players, and they responded – with a 17-game winning streak, jumping to #8 in the college rankings and winning the Gulf South Conference tournament.
Dig Deeper: The double elimination bracket will see two games played Thursday-Saturday beginning at noon, with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. if necessary. Tampa is hosting the other part of the South Regional.
The winners of the UWF and Tampa regionals will meet in the South Super Regional, May 26-27. The eight Super Regional winners will advance to the NCAA Championship in Cary, North Carolina, June 3-10.
Note: Spring Hill College is the eighth seed in the Tampa Regional.
Fans can purchase an All-Tournament Pass for the tournament with tickets ranging from $12-20. Additionally, they can purchase a day pass with prices ranging from $5-8. Children under two get into the tournament for free. The first 100 UWF students with a valid Nautilus Card get in for free courtesy of the UWF Athletics Department. Buy tickets.
See brackets.