Axios Tampa Bay
September 23, 2026
1 big thing: 🌱 Preserving paradise
The nonprofit that spearheaded the creation of a 14-acre nature preserve last year in Pinellas County is onto its next project.
Why it matters: County officials are nearing a deal to buy and preserve 29 acres of environmentally significant land on Boca Ciega Bay, according to WK Preservation Group, which helped broker the deal.
State of play: The three parcels that make up the land include an island and a stretch of coastline west of Bay Pines off Duhme Road, hence the project's name: Duhme Road Reserve.
- Largely pristine and packed with mangroves, the land is flanked by condos to the north and homes to the south, WK Preservation Group president Tex Carter told Axios.
- It's made up of coastal uplands and submerged land, including an extra-salty marsh home to snook, trout and fiddler crabs.
Flashback: The impending sale comes on the heels of the preservation group's successful $1.5 million fundraising drive to help the county buy a native wildlife-laden chunk of land south of Tarpon Springs now known as the West Klosterman Preserve.
Yes, but: This time, the county is set to cover the full price with revenue from Penny for Pinellas, the county's 1-cent sales tax for infrastructure projects.
- County parks officials said Tuesday they were still in the due diligence process and declined to comment on the purchase price.
- Carter said the purchase price will be "quite a bit less" than appraisals, which came in at about $3 million. There's $7 million in Penny funds available for environmental land purchases, per the county.
- Any sales will be subject to County Commission approval. County staffers plan to present the contracts sometime this fall.
Zoom in: A developer has owned the island — labeled Roasted Turkey Island on Google Maps — and coastal property since 2007 and once had plans to build condos, Carter said.
- The owner of a third parcel, at Duhme and 48th Avenue — also part of the acquisition — previously had plans for a commercial development.
- Both owners have since signed agreements with WK Preservation Group indicating they intend to sell the land for conservation.
What's next: The nonprofit will hold a town hall to present details of the project and answer resident questions at 3:30pm Monday at the Seminole Recreation Center.
- Should the sale go through, the first priority will be removing invasive species, including Brazilian pepper plants, Carter said.
- Officials have discussed adding a kayak launch and boardwalk or walking trail, but no plans have been finalized.
2. 📆 In and around Tampa
3. The Pulp: 🌡️ Fall(ish) temps incoming
4. 🏈 Girls flag football on the rise
Girls flag football has become the fastest-growing high school sport, as tens of thousands take up a game that barely had a varsity footprint a few years ago.
Why it matters: Few girls high school sports have moved from niche to mainstream so quickly, broadening athletic opportunities in the process.
By the numbers: More than 102,000 girls played high school flag football in 2025-26, a 551% increase in the past four years, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Catch up quick: In 2024, just 12 states sanctioned high school girls flag football.
- Today, 23 states plus Washington, D.C., sanction it as an official varsity sport, and 3,990 schools reported participants in 2025-26.
The intrigue: Florida was the first state to recognize girls flag football as a varsity sport in 2003, according to multiple outlets.
State of play: The NFL is backing its growth, too. It has invested millions to launch and expand high school programs, and featured the sport in its Super Bowl commercials.
Reality check: It's not yet clear whether flag football is mostly creating new high school athletes or pulling girls from established sports.
Keep reading: 2028 Olympic debut
5. 🌅 How about these sunsets?
Axios Tampa Bay
