The city hosted the Minnesota Sea Grant’s Watershed Game at the Clearwater Public Library System’s Sustainability Science Fair on April 27.

Two families participated and learned how a variety of land uses impact water and natural resources. They increased their knowledge of best management practices and learned how their choices can prevent adverse impacts.

Thank you to the library for planning many earth month events this year.

Clearwater promotes planning environmentally friendly events through its Sustainable and Ocean-Friendly Events campaign, which encourages skipping single-use plastics.

The city holds numerous internal gatherings that serve food and drinks, which up until now had been single-use items, such as plastic utensils, cups, paper plates, and napkins. This spring, the city launched sustainable event kits to provide a more eco-conscious option to checkout for events.

So far, the kits have already been used at four different events, saving 534 disposable napkins, paper plates and plastic cups and 1,450 pieces of plastic cutlery.

Clearwater has been honored with the prestigious Citation Award of Excellence in Sustainability, by the American Institute of Architects' Florida section in the 2024 Design Awards for Fire Station 46.

This accolade recognizes our commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious design. Key sustainability features of Fire Station 46 include: light-colored materials on the roof and walls (reflecting solar and infrared radiation), locally resourced building materials, low energy plumbing and mechanical systems, turtle-friendly lighting, stormwater management, a rain garden (pictured), native landscaping, Florida-friendly landscaping certification, thermodynamic and UV improvements, and bird-safe glass.

Are you looking to install solar panels or a new central air conditioner in your home? The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act is a groundbreaking piece of legislation for which you may qualify for clean-energy tax credits.

Residential clean-energy credits, which have an annual tax credit limit of $2,000, include the addition of solar and small wind installations, as well as solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells and battery storage.

Energy-efficient home improvement credits include the installation of biomass stoves, heat pumps, insulation, central air conditioners and more. With these credits, you can potentially receive credit for 30 percent of what you spent on such projects, for a maximum of $1,200.

Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.

By reducing our plastic use, we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Let's continue to keep Clearwater bright and beautiful by reducing single-use plastic use.