By Nanette Wiser
COMMUNITY GARDENS
With Earth Day in April, now is the time to cultivate a home garden or cultivate a community garden plot in Pinellas County (Azalea, Old Northeast, Old Southeast, and dozens more). In St. Pete, community gardens are allowed in all zoning districts as a principal use, subject to administrative approval. A permit is required to establish a community garden on vacant property. The initial permit fee is $50, and renewal is $10 every year; email DevRev@StPete.org. Also in St. Pete, the Meadowlawn Ecological Center & Community Garden is located off 74th Ave. N. and 18th St. and currently has 20 garden plots. Meet your neighbors, grow healthy food, and teach your children where their food comes from. Find one near you. www.tinyurl.com/PinellasUrbanGarden
HERE COMES THE SUN Clearwater Marine Aquarium teamed up with Duke Energy to bring clean energy to Pinellas County. The Dolphin Solar Canopy at CMA is the latest solar facility contributing to Duke Energy’s efforts to have 1,500 megawatts of solar generation in Florida by 2024. The Dolphin Solar Canopy includes 665 solar panels that are expected to produce nearly 250 kilowatts of AC power (kWac) when operating at peak production. The clean energy generated by the solar panels goes directly onto the grid to serve Duke Energy customers in Florida.
THE PULP FIU News reports that scientists believe a weapon against citrus greening already exists in nature. Researchers are turning to a plant’s own microbiome to fight the destruction of citrus greening on Florida’s citrus trees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded FIU scientists $500,000 to investigate natural compounds that could suppress or even eliminate the deadly bacteria that causes citrus greening. Currently, no cure exists for this disease that has left its mark on Florida’s citrus production, causing more than a 70% reduction in orange crops since first appearing in the state in 2005.
FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS The Majeed Discovery Garden! A Place for Children to Learn and Explore is under construction. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 11, 2022, and construction started July 5 and hopefully will open Summer/Early Fall 2023. The two+ acre site is located along McKay Creek with 500 linear feet of frontage. It is also adjacent to 1+ acre of wetland and native plant buffer on the east and southern boundaries of the Garden and will include a pond area for additional exploration of aquatic ecosystems. The hands-on children’s garden will help visitors to focus on the care and nurture of plants and animals as they interact in creative spaces designed to stimulate all five senses.