Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

October 2025

Welcome to the city of Clearwater’s sustainability and resiliency newsletter!

This newsletter aims to serve as a communication tool for progress made on Greenprint 2.0, the city’s Sustainability Action Plan and resiliency related events, programs, projects, volunteer opportunities and tips. 

Help Shape Clearwater’s Active Transportation Plan

Clearwater is seeking input on potential corridor and intersection improvements to make walking, biking and rolling safer and more connected. Share your feedback by Oct. 6, and help guide the projects that move forward to design.

Pollinator Power Pots

On Nov. 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., join us at the North Greenwood Library to plant pollinator pots as part of Clearwater’s Pollinator Power campaign. The event will feature butterfly crafts, free seed library packets, and a hands-on lesson on how to build your own pollinator pot to support butterflies and other pollinators.

Vulnerability Assessment Summary

The city of Clearwater will soon release a summary of its vulnerability assessment, which highlights future risks from flooding and extreme heat. An overview of the findings will be shared at the Environmental Advisory Board meeting at 4 p.m.  Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the City Council Chambers at the Clearwater Main Library.

Big Cleanup Clearwater

Each fall, Keep Pinellas Beautiful and the city of Clearwater host The Big Cleanup Clearwater, the city’s largest community-wide cleanup event.

The Big Cleanup Clearwater is a family-friendly week-long activity in which all residents, businesses, visitors and community organizations can participate in cleaning the parks, trails, beaches, neighborhoods and waterways. Join us Nov. 14-22 at one of our public events or host your own site. 

Lake Belleview Nature Expo Fish Derby & Lake Cleanup

We invite you to the Lake Belleview Nature Expo, Fishing Derby and Lake Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 6. Several regional partners will be on hand, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Sea Turtle Conservation Team, the Tampa Bay Kayak and Angler Club, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, UF LAKEWATCH and city staff.

Lake Belleview plays a vital role in the well-being of our community, and this event is an opportunity to celebrate, collaborate and support efforts for the common good. You can also get involved through monthly Lake Belleview cleanups. Learn more by clicking below.

Completion of Four Municipal Solar Projects

(Shown: Solar panels on top of Morningside Recreation Center)

The city is proud to announce the successful completion of four new municipal solar projects, advancing our commitment to energy efficiency and resiliency. Solar arrays have been installed at the General Services/Fleet Maintenance Facility (224.06 kW), Morningside Recreation Center (179.91 kW), Clearwater Gas System Office (202.3 kW) and the Solid Waste Transfer Station (212.4 kW).

These projects will contribute to long-term cost savings and cleaner energy for our community as well as reduce the city’s carbon footprint.

Elective Pay Rebate

The city of Clearwater recently received more than $26,080 from the U.S. Treasury through the federal Elective Pay program for its solar-powered parking meters installed in 2024. This adds to more than $105,690 received for the solar and electric-vehicle chargers in Coachman Park last year, totaling $131,770 cash back for Clearwater’s clean energy projects.

Building on this success, the city has already begun the pre-filing process for 2025 municipal solar projects and anticipates a significantly larger refund in the coming year. These funds will help reduce costs for taxpayers while advancing Clearwater’s commitment to sustainability and resiliency.

Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Proclamation

At the Sept. 4 city council meeting, Mayor Bruce Rector proclaimed the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, an initiative of the National Wildlife Federation, officially committing to take action to help save the declining monarch butterfly and other pollinators. This kicked off the city’s new Pollinator Power campaign, which encourages residents to plant native plants to provide habitat for the monarch and other pollinators. The Countryside and East Community libraries in Clearwater have added monarch-friendly swamp milkweed, coreopsis and blazing star to their seed library collections. Residents can take home up to three seed packets at a time and do not need to return anything to the library.

Clearwater Sustainability 101

The city recently produced a new video called Sustainability 101, which highlights what sustainability is and how each of us can contribute to a more sustainable way of living, working and playing. 

Whether it's reducing waste, conserving energy, or making smarter choices, every action counts. Take a few minutes to watch and be part of the change! 

Back-to-School Bash

On Aug. 1, 2025, residents came together at the Ross Norton Recreation Center for the Back-to-School Bash to share important resources for our community. The city’s sustainability team talked with local children about the Beat the Heat campaign, raising awareness about the hotter summers and offering practical tips and swag items to stay cool.

Pictured: Otavio Vidigal, Sustainability Intern (above), and Cassie Cordova, Sustainability & Environmental Division Manager (to the right).

Great Southeast Pollinator Census

On Aug. 22, Moccasin Lake Nature Park (MLNP) hosted the Great Southeast Pollinator Census with the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS). Residents observed and recorded pollinators such as bees, butterflies and flies, contributing valuable data to a University of Georgia research project. They also learned about pollinator-friendly habitats and took home tips to support monarchs and other vital pollinators in their own gardens.

Pictured (L to R): Lauren Sasko (MLNP Recreation Leader), Dave Perkey (FNPS, Pinellas Chapter President), Two Census Science Volunteers, Jan Allyn (FNPS, Pinellas Chapter Member) and Melody Yin (Sustainability Specialist).

Employee Wellness Fair

The Sustainability & Environmental Division hosted a booth at the city of Clearwater’s annual Employee Wellness Fair Sept. 26. This year’s themes for the sustainability booth were Beat the Heat and Pollinator Power. This is our favorite internal event of the year, as it gives us a chance to meet and interact with so many city employees!

Pollinator Power!

Clearwater’s Municipal Energy Savings Program

Clearwater’s municipal energy savings program continues to deliver impressive results, moving into the fourth performance year, achieving an overall 14.9 percent reduction in energy use and a total cost avoidance of $3,729,959. After accounting for program costs since its launch in April 2022, the city has achieved net cost savings of $1.9 million.

During Energy Specialist Fabian Uribe’s regular audit, the Parks & Beautification Complex stood out for its exceptional performance. The facility achieved a reduction in electricity use by 27 percent in April 2025 compared to April 2024. Kudos to the city staff at this location for their commitment to energy efficiency.

CONTACT THE SUSTAINABILITY TEAM

If you have questions about the city's sustainability or environmental programs, email our sustainability team: Sustainability & Environmental Division Manager Cassie Cordova or Sustainability Specialist Melody Yin.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Clearwater Community Gardens Annual Plant Sale

Oct. 4-5

10 a.m.-3 p.m.