Team members from our Rinker Materials Brooksville cement plant and Tri-State Carriers were: Bill Butler, James Weeks, Bobby King, Steve Piermatteo and Terry Ricketts. Steve and Terry were responsible for getting the crane to the work site through Tri-State Carriers.
Tampa Baywatch
They may not wear red swimsuits or have beach blonde hair, but for the second year running the Rinker Materials team at Brooksville Cement in Brooksville, Florida near Tampa volunteered their time and commitment to Tampa Baywatch.
Tampa Baywatch is a non-profit organisation that keeps Tampa Bay in peak form. Last year, the team helped place 308 oyster domes in Tampa Bay to reduce erosion of the shoreline from heavy boat traffic and storm water. This year another 500 were positioned into the bay.
These domes, made of concrete, allow a safe-haven for oysters to nest and do their job filtering storm water re-entering the bay. The domes are designed so that strong waves are channeled out from the top, and the sea wall and shoreline are protected.
Giant tortoises
Alex and two helpers building the fence for the Central Florida Zoo’s new tortoise exhibit.
Who would have guessed that a small donation of concrete could help an eagle and a tortoise? For soon-to-be Eagle Scout Alex Roberson and two Aldabra giant tortoises at the Central Florida Zoo, there was never a better gift.
To achieve a promotion from Life Scout to Eagle Scout, Scouts must complete an Eagle Service Project. With this ambition in mind and an interest in turtles, 15 year old Alex was more than happy to assist the Central Florida Zoo in constructing an exhibit area for their two giant tortoises.
A young girl shows just how large an Aldabra Giant Tortoise really is.
An average Aldabra male weighs approximately 500 pounds (227 kilograms) and is powerful enough to ram through fences and doors. Concrete was definitely the best option to secure the exhibit's 149 foot long, four foot high wooden fence. Once our Florida Materials central region donated the concrete, Alex led the project and is now well on his way to earning his new title of Eagle Scout.
Similar to the famous Galapagos giant tortoises, the Aldabra giant tortoises are one of the largest turtle species and have one of the longest animal life expectancies on the planet — some are thought to be over 100 years old.
