Nerdscursion: A SOUL-Safari: Urban Lake Restoration in Action-More Lakes!

We’re inviting our favorite Nerd Nite alumni to take their talks out into the wild! Nerdscursions are small, themed adventures led by former Nerd Nite speakers. It is a chance for curious locals to experience a topic hands-on.

In this nerdscursion, former speaker Jim Bays takes us on a guided SOUL Safari walking tour of Mirror and Round Lakes.

Description:

Join Stewards of Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) for a guided “SOUL Safari” through Mirror and Round Lakes where science, restoration, and community collide in beautiful ways. Led by veteran ecologist Jim Bays and a team of passionate lake stewards, this walking tour transforms a familiar park into a living laboratory.

Along the way, you’ll uncover:

• The history of St. Pete’s urban lakes

• How pollution, runoff, and time reshaped these ecosystems

• The real-world science behind restoring water quality and habitat

• What’s working, what’s not, and what comes next

You’ll see restoration in action—native plantings, habitat improvements, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of a lake coming back to life.

This walk is a behind-the-scenes look at how local action can heal entire ecosystems.

Expect: light walking, lots of “oh wow, I never noticed that,” and a deeper connection to the water in your own backyard.

Come curious. Leave seeing lakes differently.

Suggested: Wear a hat, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray and bring water.

Location: Meeting point North East overlook at Mirror Lake, accross from Shuffleboard Club.

Accessibility: This excursion is wheelchair accessible.

Weather: In case of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled for the following Thursday, October 29 @ 5:15 pm.

Upon ticket purchase, this liability waiver form will be required: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tK2Nywgu0tQapBZINiIMmH0JFO4YL4N4Kbjh9rxjD40/edit

Tour Leader Bios:

Jim Bays

Jim Bays is chairman of Stewards of Our Urban Lakes and a retired ecologist with 45 years in lake and wetland restoration and management in projects around the world. Stewards of Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that applies ecological expertise to improving urban lake habitat and water quality in St Petersburg.

Jennifer Faller — Mirror Lake Champion

Jennifer Faller serves as the designated Mirror Lake Champion for Stewards of Our Urban Lakes (SoUL). Since taking a leadership role in cleaning the lake and restoring its shorelines in 2022, Jennifer has been an indefatigable advocate for the lake's ecological health and appearance. Every Saturday morning, she leads a dedicated team of volunteers in maintaining and enhancing the lake's restored shoreline plant communities. She is also a tireless advocate for community involvement, encouraging everyone who appreciates Mirror Lake to participate in its ongoing restoration and help sustain this treasured urban resource for future generations. Mirror Lake has become such a familiar and beloved place to Jennifer and her team that they've taken to naming some of its resident ducks. Among them is a small white duck named, appropriately enough, Jennifer!

Professionally, Jennifer brings more than 20 years of experience in the concrete polishing industry. Through her company, Concrete Insite, she provides nationwide consulting services specializing in concrete and other horizontal hard surfaces. Her expertise includes on-site quality management, inspections, productivity and quality improvement, slip-resistance and surface-finish testing, product development, specification review, and project planning and evaluation.

Kristy Andersen — Round Lake Champion

Kristy Andersen serves as one of the two Round Lake Champions for Stewards of Our Urban Lakes (SoUL) and has been a longstanding advocate for the Historic Uptown neighborhood in St. Petersburg. A former president of the Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association, Kristy played an instrumental role in launching the restoration of Round Lake in 2019. Working with neighborhood volunteers, she helped organize the Friends of Round Lake, initiate community cleanups, and establish the connection with SoUL that led to the lake's first native aquatic plant restoration project. Her leadership reflects a broader commitment to neighborhood improvement, historic preservation, and community engagement. A documentary filmmaker and historic preservation enthusiast, Kristy continues to champion Round Lake as both an important ecological resource and a treasured gathering place for the Historic Uptown community.