Pinellas County Environmental News

Pinellas County Environmental News Pinellas County Environmental News is a social media channel managed by the Pinellas County Environmental Management Division.

Leaf it on the lawn! 🏡Did you know that leaves and grass clippings release the same nutrients found in commercial fertil...
06/23/2026

Leaf it on the lawn! 🏡

Did you know that leaves and grass clippings release the same nutrients found in commercial fertilizer as they decompose? Any yard waste left on roads or in storm drains can eventually wash through our storm water system. The nitrogen released can cause algae blooms and fish kills and the yard debris can clog systems that lead to flooded conditions! It is against county code to blow your yard waste into the road.

When you finish landscaping, we recommend:
🍃 Blowing it back onto the lawn, as it breaks down it will give your grass nutrients!
🍃 Mulching the clippings or leaves and using them on landscape. This will protect your plants from weeds, give them nutrients, regulate the temperature, and retain moisture
🍃 Using it in your compost

If you can’t do any of these options, bag it and dispose of it properly.

It's National Mosquito Control Awareness Week! At Pinellas County Mosquito Control, our number one goal is to protect ou...
06/22/2026

It's National Mosquito Control Awareness Week!

At Pinellas County Mosquito Control, our number one goal is to protect our community from mosquito-borne illnesses. Protecting ourselves and our community can start at home, where we can actively practice the 3 D's:

✅ Dump, cover, or treat any standing water around your property (including buckets, toys, gutters, plant pot saucers, or any other container that can hold a 1/4 inch of water)
✅ Dress in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing with closed toe shoes
✅ Defend by using an insect repellent with a CDC recommended ingredient, such as Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535

Having a mosquito issue and not sure where to start?

Contact Pinellas County Mosquito Control for a FREE inspection of your property to look for the possible source(s) of mosquito breeding. More information can be found on our website, https://pinellas.gov/what-to-expect-at-a-mosquito-service-request/

Together, we can help protect ourselves and our community!

🤿 Getting Ready!! 🤿This past week, staff from Pinellas County Environmental Management joined partner agencies for a sea...
06/20/2026

🤿 Getting Ready!! 🤿

This past week, staff from Pinellas County Environmental Management joined partner agencies for a seagrass surveying kick-off event coordinated by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

🌱 Our scientists joined others from around Tampa Bay to consider standard examples of different seagrass growth conditions, like species, health, and coverage, as an important indicator of water quality and ecosystem status!

"Good" seagrass growth and lush beds support fisheries, wildlife, and recreation while stabilizing the sea floor and protecting shorelines.

📊 Learn more about the bay-wide monitoring updates and data results!
https://tbep.org/seagrass-assessment/ (check the link in our bio!)

We’re wrapping up Week 3 of with an important reminder: pet waste isn’t just a nuisance, it’s pollution.When left on t...
06/19/2026

We’re wrapping up Week 3 of with an important reminder: pet waste isn’t just a nuisance, it’s pollution.

When left on the ground, pet waste can continue to grow harmful bacteria, be a source of parasites, and release nutrients and odor. The waste can take weeks to fully decompose into the lawn making it easy for these pollutants to be leached out and washed into storm drains after a rain or from landscape watering. This can impact water quality, aquatic ecosystems and public health for weeks.

Do your part to help protect Pinellas County’s waterways:
🐾 Always pick up after your pets.
🗑️ Dispose of pet waste in the trash.
💧 Keep pollutants out of storm drains and our local waters.

Small actions make a big difference in preserving the health and resilience of our community.

📸Graphic courtesy of Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

06/18/2026

👀Hawk Eyes👀

Look who decided to join our Monitoring & Assessment team last week! This beautiful, red-shouldered hawk came to take a peek at our monitoring site in Tarpon Springs. 🔬👩‍🔬 You can keep an eye on our sampling results by visiting the Pinellas County Water Quality Dashboard at the link in our bio or by visiting: https://pcdem.shinyapps.io/dashboard/ -water-quality

If you see something "fishy" you can report an issue online at: https://pinellas.gov/services/report-a-problem-in-your-community/

🚧 Construction Runoff Awareness 🚧Construction sites can be a significant source of stormwater pollution if they are not ...
06/17/2026

🚧 Construction Runoff Awareness 🚧

Construction sites can be a significant source of stormwater pollution if they are not properly maintained. Sediment, concrete washout, and other construction debris that leave a job site and enter storm drains, waterways, or the stormwater system may violate Pinellas County stormwater regulations.

To help prevent pollution, construction sites should implement Best Management Practices (BMPs), such as:

• Silt Fences
• Turbidity Curtains
• Inlet Protection Devices
• Concrete Washout Areas
• Stabilized Construction Entrances
• And other erosion and sediment control measures

By using proper BMPs, contractors can help protect our waterways, neighborhoods, and environment.

Remember: Keep your job site clean and prevent stormwater pollution.

To report construction runoff or stormwater concerns in Pinellas County, please contact at (727) 464-4425.

💡To learn more about Urban Pollution Visit: https://pinellas.gov/preventing-urban-pollution/

💻 To sign up for our events, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/stormwater-stewardship-month-programs-4244893?utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&msockid=283ae6a3cb1b67343cf5f1d5ca0866c5

📸 Graphic courtesy of Bay Regional Planning Council

🌊 Welcome to Week 3 of !Over the next two weeks, we're highlighting common stormwater issues and solutions to protect o...
06/15/2026

🌊 Welcome to Week 3 of !

Over the next two weeks, we're highlighting common stormwater issues and solutions to protect our waterways.

First up is litter, a major source of pollution. 🗑
Litter on streets, sidewalks, and yards can be carried by rain into storm drains and waterways. Litter clogs stormwater systems, harms wildlife that tries to eat it, and introduces pollutants into our environment.

You can help by:
✅ Disposing of trash and recyclables in the proper bins
✅ Reducing waste
✅ Participating in local cleanup events

Looking to get involved? Check out community cleanups hosted by

🔗 You can report stormwater issues such as flooding, clogged drains, or pollution through SeeClickFix or by calling (727) 464-8900.

🔗For water quality concerns, contact us at (727) 464-4425.

💻 To sign up for our events, click the link in our bio!

📸 Graphic courtesy of

🌿 We’re wrapping up Week 2 of by learning about the importance of healthy seagrass! 🌿Did you know that harmful algal b...
06/12/2026

🌿 We’re wrapping up Week 2 of by learning about the importance of healthy seagrass! 🌿

Did you know that harmful algal blooms can negatively impact seagrass beds? When algae grows in large amounts, they can block sunlight from reaching the seafloor, making it difficult for seagrass to photosynthesize. Excess algae can also reduce oxygen levels in the water, creating stressful conditions for marine life and even contributing to fish kills.

Healthy seagrass plays a vital role in our local ecosystems by providing:

🌊 Improved water quality
🌊 Essential wildlife habitat
🌊 A food source for manatees
🌊 Sediment stabilization
🌊 Carbon sequestration
🌊 Increased biodiversity

By keeping our waterways clean, we can help protect and strengthen these valuable underwater ecosystems.

Stay tuned for Week 3 as we explore common water pollutants and simple actions you can take to help prevent them! 💧🌱

💻 To sign up for our events, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/stormwater-stewardship-month-programs-4244893?utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&msockid=13cd51c82db06c672db346a72caa6d60

📸 Graphic courtesy of Bay Regional Planning Council

🌊 What is an Algal Bloom? 🌿Algae are microscopic organisms that live in aquatic environments and use sunlight to produce...
06/11/2026

🌊 What is an Algal Bloom? 🌿

Algae are microscopic organisms that live in aquatic environments and use sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis. They are naturally found in freshwater, saltwater, and brackish water systems.

Sometimes, when excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus enter our waterways, algae can grow rapidly and form an algal bloom. Some blooms can become Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which may impact water quality, aquatic life, and recreational activities.

You can help reduce nutrient pollution by:
🐾 Properly disposing of pet waste
🌱 Limiting the use of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilizers
🍃 Keeping grass clippings and yard debris out of streets and storm drains

Remember: Storm drains are directly connected to our local waterways. Anything that enters a storm drain can eventually reach our lakes, rivers, bays, and the Gulf.

🔗To learn about the fertilizer ordinance visit : https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/

💻To participate in events, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/stormwater-stewardship-month-programs-4244893?utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&msockid=3ba903180c5f64fa194b14760d456597

📸 Graphic courtesy of Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

🌦 Rainy season is finally here! Let's plant!! 🌿🌼 Join us next Tuesday, June 16 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., as we celebrate St...
06/10/2026

🌦 Rainy season is finally here! Let's plant!! 🌿

🌼 Join us next Tuesday, June 16 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., as we celebrate Stormwater Stewardship month by replenishing the Anderson Park rain garden with a diverse array of plants.

What's a rain garden, you might ask? 🤔 Rain gardens are shallow landscape features designed to capture rainwater runoff from lawns, roofs, and driveways. Rainwater can pick up pollutants or excess nutrients from these surfaces that would naturally be filtered out or used in the soil. Harnessing this stormwater runoff in a rain garden allows water-tolerant native plants to filter out pollutants and soak up nutrients while minimizing flood and erosion on your property! Come out to help the Anderson Park rain garden function at its best!

🗓 Tuesday, June 16, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
📍 A.L. Anderson Park, 39699 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs

🎟 Register here: zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/anderson-park-rain-garden-planting

Address

Kenneth City, FL

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

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+17274644425

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