Located on Hillsborough County’s South Shore, this long-abandoned tropical fish farm with more than 200 man-made ponds has tremendous restoration potential. The Thomas Tract was purchased in 2012 by Hillsborough County through its Environmental Lands Acquisition and Preservation Program. Restoration work is being conducted by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, implementing an Ecosphere design incorporating removal of invasive vegetation and recontouring of tidal wetlands to serve as fish and wildlife habitat.  The project also will accommodate rising seas associated with our changing climate through creation of “stepping-stone” slopes that allow habitats such as salterns and mangrove forests to migrate inland as waters rise. When completed, the Thomas Tract will feature an ecologically rich tapestry of saltwater lagoons, freshwater wetlands and coastal uplands directly connected to Tampa Bay. 

Finally, with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,  one acre will be designed and planted with sustainable native milkweed plants to support  the Monarch Butterfly.