Leah Biery Joins the Nonprofit Organization to Help Advance its Mission, Lead Organizational Growth
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 21, 2022) – The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, a nonprofit organization whose overall mission is to restore and protect the bay’s habitat through stewardship and community awareness, announced today the appointment of Leah Biery, Director of the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
With a passion for conservation and the environment, Biery has collaborated on various conservation projects around the world, including research in Tanzania, where she studied human-baboon interaction and has worked for OCEANA in Belize and the Queen Conch Lab at Florida Atlantic University – both mission-driven marine conservation organizations. Biery is also a founding member of Mind Your Line, an collaborative initiative among Sanibel-Captiva conservation organizations to reduce the harmful impacts of discarded fishing gear on wildlife.
“We are extremely proud and excited to welcome Leah. She comes to our organization with years of valuable leadership experience that we know will help to advance the growth and expansion of Tampa Bay Watch,” said Dwayne Virgint, CEO of Tampa Bay Watch and former Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Discovery Center. “In its first two years, the Discovery Center has welcomed thousands of guests, both locals and visitors. Under Leah’s guidance, we know that we will continue to provide accessible and creative opportunities to learn our story of the Tampa Bay Estuary and its recovery – hopefully inspiring them to do the same in their own communities.”
In her role as Director, Leah Biery will be responsible for ensuring that the 3,000 sq ft Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center and Discovery Eco-Tour both provide a positive, meaningful experience for guests while promoting Tampa Bay Watch’s mission. Her goal is to motivate Discovery Center visitors and participants of all ages to protect the bay and its inhabitants by increasing awareness, concern, and advocacy.A graduate of North Carolina State University, Biery studied zoology and nonprofit management. She also received a master’s degree in fisheries management from The University of British Columbia. Biery comes to Tampa Bay Watch from Sanibel Sea School, where she served as the Director of Operations.
“I am very excited to combine my leadership experience in the nonprofit sector with my knowledge of Florida conservation topics to tell the world about the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center’s work,” says Biery. “Caring for our planet, its creatures, and our fellow humans is a responsibility we should all take seriously and integrate into everything we do.”
As a writer and content producer, Leah has also published works for various publications and scientific journals, along with developing an online presence for brands such as charitable foundations and eco charter captains. Based in Florida, Leah enjoys reading, yoga, gardening, paddling, cooking and eating vegan food, hiking with her dog, and exploring.
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About The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery CenterThe Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center is the only marine environmental experience in downtown St. Petersburg. Located approximately halfway down the St. Pete Pier with soaring rooflines and floor to ceiling glass walls, the Discovery Center creates a dynamic visitor experience. This experience includes an exhibit gallery that tells the story of the history of the largest open-water estuary in Florida and the role Tampa Bay Watch has had in its recovery. Exhibits include touch tanks, interactive displays, video presentations, and docent-led tours. Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center seeks to increase the public’s awareness of the critical importance of Tampa Bay as an environmental resource and economic engine through engaging interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences, presented in an entertaining, first-class experience that inspires visitors to discover ways to make a positive impact on the environment. For more information, visitwww.tbwdiscoverycenter.org.
About Tampa Bay WatchTampa Bay Watch is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives. Incorporated in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch conducts habitat restoration and educational activities throughout the year, relying heavily on the efforts of community volunteers. These programs seek to build citizen awareness, concern and participation in improving the health and sustainability of Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay Watch opened the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center at the new St. Pete Pier in July 2020. The Discovery Center features a public Exhibit Gallery showcasing the economic and ecological value of the Tampa Bay estuary to residents and visitors, a 45’ eco-vessel which conducts daily on-water educational activities and both an outdoor “wet” classroom and an indoor classroom offering a variety of environmental outreach programs to visitors and Tampa Bay area students. For more information, visit www.tampabaywatch.org, or call 727-867-8166.