Residents Have Until Aug. 4 To Submit Thoughts On Sustainability

CLEARWATER, FL — The city of Clearwater has released the final draft of its sustainability plan update, Clearwater Greenprint 2.0, and invites the public to review the document and share feedback about what residents think about the plan.

Originally approved by the Clearwater City Council in 2011, the Clearwater Greenprint plan was created through the collaborative effort of residents, businesses and city employees. The plan created a vision to make the city of Clearwater a vibrant, healthy and environmentally positive city for generations to come.

Over the last 10 years, a lot has taken place to achieve this goal:

• With the help of Duke Energy, the Clearwater community successfully reduced its greenhouse gas emissions 12 percent below the emissions levels in 2007.
• Most of the city's streetlights were converted to energy-saving LED bulbs.
• Multiple community gardens were created by Clearwater residents emphasizing the importance of local food and the benefits of urban agriculture.
• Multiple trails were constructed to connect larger trails across the city, and trail users can now travel all the way from Tampa to Clearwater Beach.
• In February 2019, Moccasin Lake Nature Park reopened after renovations and is now home to a butterfly garden and multiple native plant installations, offering hiking trails and nature classes to learn more about Florida's natural ecosystems and wildlife.
• In partnership with the Suncoast Sierra Club and Clearwater Neighborhood Coalition, the city has created an annual "Building Better Neighborhoods" sustainability conference.
• An online backyard composting course was created and made available to the public. This course enabled nearly 500 Clearwater resident to receive a free composting bin from the city to decrease their waste and benefit their yards.
• A storm drain mural program was developed and allows Clearwater residents, businesses and visitors to paint a storm drain with an environmental message. In addition to their artistic value, painted storm drains serve an educational purpose by addressing the misconception that it's acceptable to dispose of trash, grass clippings and chemicals down storm drains.

New additions to the proposed plan include:

• A more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goal of 80 percent below 2007 levels by 2050.
• The adoption of a Green Fleet Policy and transitioning all light-duty city vehicles to alternative fuels by 2040 and 50 percent of heavy-duty vehicles by 2050.
• A 20 percent reduction in city facility energy consumption.
• Inclusion of resilience planning and building to better prepare Clearwater for the effects of natural disasters and climate change.
• A commercial composting pilot program to divert food scraps from landfills and demonstrate the viability of a citywide program.
• Additional educational components, such as a "green glossary" and numerous links where readers can learn more about sustainability terms and topics.

Clearwater Greenprint 2.0 will go before Clearwater City Council at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5 for approval.

The public is invited to review the document and share feedback by clicking here.