Volunteers had been an integral part of preserve staff's ability to reach management goals. The volunteer network for Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves serviced four preserves - Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve, Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve, Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve and Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Staff had also set up a project catering to a specific group (i.e. Eagle Scout Projects, corporate work groups, student organizations, neighborhood associations, etc.). There were regular island restoration days with projects such as trash removal, planting native plants and the removal of exotic plants.

Additional volunteer projects included:

• Alternate spring breaks.
• Water quality monitoring.
• Clean-up events (including removal of monofilament).
• Maintenance and upkeep of the native plant nursery.
• Habitat restoration.
• Citizen patrolling.
• Outreach opportunities.
• Information gathering.