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At the end of 2006, the city entered into an agreement with
EcoMedia to implement the EcoZone program, thus becoming only the second
city in Florida to participate in the program. Eco Media is a
leading environmental media company that brings together government and
industry to forge solutions and awareness to pressing environmental
problems.
In February 2007, the City of St. Petersburg was recognized as
the first city in the State of Florida to receive the "Green Local
Government Standard" award. The award recognizes "Green Cities and Counties" for their outstanding environmental stewardship. The city was
able to achieve this designation through a series of environmental
initiatives such as energy efficiency, recycling, tree-planting,
preservation of sensitive lands, and private sector initiatives.
On March 21, 2007, the city along with an organization of
environmentally concerned citizens committed to cleansing our waterways by
launching a specially designed vessel by Green Armada Foundation Inc.,
entitled Miss Mia. The specialized vessel will patrol the city's
waterfront areas to remove and dispose of an estimated eight-tons of debris
each month from our beautiful shoreline.
The Green Armada
Foundation, Inc., was just national recognized in the April 2007 edition of
People's Magazine as "America's Environment Hero" for the design
and launching of Miss Mia.
Mark Maksimowicz of Green Armada Foundation, Inc, stated:
"St. Petersburg and Green Armanda share the same vision - waterways
free of debris. The city of St. Petersburg is our home port and we will be
establishing our national headquarters here in the near future."
As of May 10, 2007, St. Petersburg was designated as the first
– and only – city in the state to become a “Green City” by the Florida Green Building Coalition. St. Petersburg earned the honor
designation based on several environmental initiatives, some of which
include: use of biodiesel fuel and hybrid vehicle in its fleet; one of the
country’s largest reclaimed water systems; recycling program and a
successful yard waste to – mulch program; an extensive parks system;
more than 50 miles of bicycle trails; recent restoration of Lake Maggiore;
tree planting and environmental educational programs.
As for development projects throughout the city, we have been
fortunate to have developers and architects striving to embody
"green" building designs. Recent developments include: Progress Energy
headquarters, Gibbs High School, SPC, Home Shopping Network outdoor TV
studio, and the La Entrada and Baseball Hall of Fame projects expected to
begin construction by mid-year from Grady Pridgen.
The benefits of going "green" are unlimited, below
are a few quick resource links to learn more.
¢General Information and Certified Contractors on the green front
¢21st Annual Arbor and Earth Day Celebration (April 28-29, 2007)
¢City Beautification and 2007 Awards criteria and initiatives
¢EnviroBusiness Hazardous Waste
Collection Day (May 9, 2007)
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