Pinellas County Environmental News

08/31/2026

🌱Did you know that reclaimed water is liquid nutrients? 🌱

Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater, so it eliminates contaminants while retaining the same nutrients found in common fertilizer, such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

Some benefits of using reclaimed water include:
💧 Reduces demand for potable water by creating an alternate watering source
💧Saves money by replacing drinking water for irrigation
💧Reduces fertilizer cost and usage

Tips for using reclaimed water:
💧Only water on assigned dates and times
💧From October-May, reduced fertilizers usage when using reclaimed water. Fertilizer is not allowed from June-September
💧It is not recommended to use reclaimed water on edible food gardens, but it is recommended for aesthetic turf or landscape
💧Avoid getting reclaimed water on sidewalks or roads to prevent nutrients from entering the storm drain

🔎To learn more, visit:
https://pinellas.gov/reduce-fertilizer-use-when-irrigating-with-reclaimed-water/

🔎 To see your watering times, visit:
https://pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules/

🔎Get connected to reclaimed water by visiting:
https://pinellas.gov/reclaimed-water/

08/28/2026

🛥 This week we assisted staff from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to deploy six temperature data loggers throughout Old Tampa Bay. This five-year study will measure water temperatures to monitor and identify any impacts on seagrass recovery.

🌡 Water temperatures drive the life cycle of phytoplankton. A growing or declining population of phytoplankton living in the water column can impact light availability that seagrasses need, therefore water temperatures really can indicate how much seagrass can grow.

🥵 Just like us, higher temperatures can impact how seagrasses use or conserve energy. Warmer water temperatures can stress the marine plant and negatively affect its potential for productivity.

📈 We're ready to find out if there's a significant difference in water temperature between sites where seagrass beds have remained stable and sites where they have been lost!

👀 Want to see the data for yourself? Check it out at: tbep-tech.github.io/otb-temp/tempeval Sites ending in 'S' indicate seagrass presence, and sites ending in 'B' indicate sites without.

08/26/2026

🐾 Sit & Stay, it’s National Dog Day! 🐾

Good pet parents know it's important to pick up after our furry friends. Pet waste left behind after a walk or potty break will slowly get washed away by stormwater runoff and add bacteria to our precious waterways. 🦠

Like a good neighbor, Scoop the P**p!! Be sure to always have a bag handy and properly dispose of waste in your personal trash receptacle. 💩👉🗑

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

✨🌱 Seagrass Species Spotlight!! 🌱✨

The Tampa Bay region is home to five species of seagrass. Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) can be easily identified by its long, broad ribbon-like blades, which can grow over a foot in length and about a finger's tip wide! The root structure reaches deeper than any of the other species so growth of this plant is an important part of holding our coastal sediments in place!

Turtle grass gets its common name because it's an important food source for sea turtles, especially the green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas. The "green" sea turtle gets its name because of the amount of seagrass and algae it eats! The plant chlorophyll actually turns their fat a greenish color! 🐢💚

Seagrass meadows serve as critical nursery habitats for many marine species including juvenile fish, scallops and the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus), pictured here.

Follow along each week as we share more fun facts about these amazing marine plants! 🤩🌱

💡 Learn more by visiting: myfwc.com/research/habitat/seagrasses/faq/

08/21/2026

Safe driving protects more than just people, it benefits wildlife that calls our parks and preserves home, too. A little extra care behind the wheel can help keep our community safe and our wildlife protected.

What can you do?
🚗 Follow posted speed limits—including within our parks and preserves.
👀 Stay alert and watch for people and wildlife. Put down the phone and keep your focus on the road.
🐢 Give gopher tortoises and other wildlife the time and space they need to safely cross. Never approach, feed, or disturb animals.

⚠️ Slow down and stay alert.

08/19/2026

💧 Want to know more about water quality in Florida and how you can make an impact? 💧

Join UF IFAS Extension to celebrate National Water Quality Month and the importance of clean water in our daily lives by attending Florida-Friendly Friday: The Ripple Effect - Practical Steps for Clean Water. In this Q&A-type presentation, they will explore easy steps to have a positive effect on water quality.

🌨️ Participants may claim a rain gauge at the end of the class available for pick up at the Extension office.

🗓️ Friday, August 21st, 12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m, virtual

🔎 To sign up, visit:

This Q&A presentation will explore ways we can conserve water and make a positive impact on water quality through at home practices.

08/18/2026

🌳 Pinellas County has invasive plants in our midst! 🌳

Florida's climate creates prime territory for sub-tropical invasive plants. Many people help the spread of invasives by unknowingly planting them in their gardens or not disposing of potted plants responsibly. Invasive species can become an expensive threat to our native species and habitat quickly!

But you can restore it with native species! If you find an invasive plant on your property, here are the steps to remove it responsibly:
🔎 Research: Check out UF IFAS resources or another reputable source to verify it is, indeed, invasive.
🪚 Remove: Some species may be more resilient or difficult to remove. Try removing by hand or with tools first. Bag all debris securely to ensure no seeds or other plant materials are spread.
🪴 Replace: Plant native plant species where you've removed invasive plants to attract native wildlife and a support a beautiful landscape!

❓ Can you guess the invasives species in the picture? Comment your guesses below!

🔍 For more information regarding invasive plant species and how to remove them, visit:
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly/clean-out-the-invasives/

08/17/2026

🎈 What goes up must come down! 🎈

Planning an outdoor celebration at a Pinellas County park? Unfortunately, balloons are not invited because they can cause problems for water, land, and wildlife. Balloons can take years to centuries to decompose and animals can mistakenly ingest them.

Instead of using balloons, try:
🏮 Using re-usable decorations such as paper pom-poms or hanging (fire-free) lanterns
🫧 Blowing bubbles
🪁 Flying kites

Balloons of any kind are not allowed at Pinellas County Parks, Preserves, and Managed Land.

🔎 For more information on keeping our green spaces clean, visit:
https://pinellas.gov/park-rules/

08/15/2026

🔥 PROP it like it's HOT🔥

Propagation is a great gardening technique for growing native plants in your yard! Several Florida native species that grow well from propagation are beautyberry, firebush and wild coffee! 🌱

To learn more about specific plant propagation techniques, visit: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/propagation/