2013 Energy Symposium hosted by Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project

This FREE 3 hour symposium will feature a keynote address by Dr. Jennifer Languell, award-winning green building engineer with 15 years experience. 

Expert panel discussions will focus on water and energy efficiencies and improvements inside and outside the home.  From irrigation to PV panels, appliances to native plants, you'll get information first-hand from Duke Energy, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Tampa Bay Water, and much more!

Each registered participant will receive an insulated tote bag with manual powered LED flashlight, solar calculator, and educational information from UF/IFAS and our partners.

Please arrive early for check-in.  Refreshments will be provided.

Saturday September 14, 9a.m.–Noon. Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required at  www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Call 727-582-2097 for more information.

Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age. Disability, religion or national origin.

Florida’s Balance

Mary Campbell, Extension Director
and Community Resource Agent

Florida is still on track to break the 20 million mark by the end of 2015, becoming the third most populous state sometime before then—surpassing New York. Florida’s population has grown rapidly in recent decades, but growth rates have fluctuated considerably from one year to the next. For example, the state’s population grew by more than 400,000 between 2004 and 2005 but by less than 100,000 between 2008 and 2009.

Availability of jobs and economic opportunities play a big role in population growth. The last few years have seen a bit of a recovery. Florida’s population grew by 169,000 between 2011 and 2012, well below its historical average but more than twice the increase occurring between 2008 and 2009. With promising signs in the housing market and improving employment opportunities, growth will continue to accelerate over the next few years. Although it is unlikely that the state will return to the large annual increases seen in the middle of the last decade, it is expected that population growth will average around 278,000 per year by the end of the current decade (UF- Bureau of Economic and Business Research).

Between 1970 and 1990 Florida's urban areas sprawled over one million acres of formerly rural land. Natural habitats, farmland, and scenic open spaces were often converted to strip malls, housing developments, and low-density commercial development. Uncontrolled growth created environmental, social, and economic problems that threaten to destroy the very attractions that made many move to the state.

Water resources provide a good example. Florida has the highest domestic per capita water use in the country and ranks second nationally in water use for mining, fourth in use for public supply, and eleventh in use for irrigation. Due mostly to population growth, projections show that water supplies will not meet projected demands by 2020. Restrictions on water use are frequently implemented in urban areas for irrigating lawns. In addition, urban storm water contributes to water pollution and fertilizer ordinances have been implemented in several areas of the state. In Pinellas County, a fertilizer ban from June through September was implemented to decrease pollutants flowing into surrounding waters.

Sustainable communities recognize that their economic and social structures and the health of the local environment are intertwined. They understand that programs and policies that foster only one aspect of development, be it economic growth, social gain, or environmental protection, to the exclusion of the other two aspects will not promote sustained progress for the community. Each community must develop its own vision and plan of action. There is no single definition of sustainable community development because every community has its own unique characteristics and challenges. Yet sustainable communities share common themes and concerns: economic security, environmental protection, social justice, and a commitment to the welfare of future generations.

Imagine a community where the air and water are clean, water supplies fully meet demand and everyone enjoys access to locally supplied safe and healthy foods, wildlife flourishes and the landscape is pleasing to the eye. Within this community, full participation and a spirit of cooperation pervade decision-making. People have an impact over their community's future. The community revitalizes the city center, reduces sprawl and promotes regional identity and pride. Public transportation effectively reduces congestion and pollution from cars, reduces transportation costs, and improves access to jobs and services. A strong emphasis on education and training for all promotes an improved quality of life today and fosters future opportunities for the community's youth.

If you are interested in learning more about sustainable practices and becoming involved in local action, join us for the next Sustainable Floridian Training Program. For more information: http://pcsf2013oct-eorg.eventbrite.com/.

Resource:
UF EDIS Sustainable Community Development

Savor the Flavor…Enjoying the fruits of summer

Nan Jensen,
UF/IFAS Pinellas County
Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent

Whether it’s cantaloupes, peaches, mangos or watermelons you are craving, summer brings an abundance of choices for you to enjoy. Not only does it taste good but eating fruit provides some real health benefits. People who eat healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases, like certain types of cancer, and heart disease. Fruits are a great source of potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid). Most are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories and none of them have cholesterol. Fruits are also a great way to keep us hydrated during hot summer months since they contain 80% or more water.

Before preparing or eating, rub fruits briskly under clean running water to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. Then dry with a clean towel.

Since most fruits have a short shelf life ( a week or less) plan your trip to the grocery store, produce stand or farmer's market accordingly so you're not throwing away food that's gone bad before you get a chance to use it. Consider freezing fruits if you want to keep it longer. Properly frozen fruits retain much of their fresh flavor and nutritive value. Their texture may be somewhat softer, however, than fresh fruit. If you are looking for information on freezing or any other method home food preservation, the National Center for Home Food Preservation is your source for current research-based recommendations. Check the site out at the link below.

http://nchfp.uga.edu/

Sustainable Floridians(SM) – A Unique Learning Opportunity

Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, 
Urban Sustainability Agent 

Knowledge is power and the Sustainable Floridians^SM training program is a discussion-to-action program that aims to develop leaders for a sustainable future. Participants will learn about wise use of resources, household and community resiliency, and the impacts of lifestyle choices. The program educates participants about Florida specific actions for conserving energy, water, and vehicle miles travelled while creating and promoting opportunities for community leadership. 

The 2013 edition of Sustainable Floridians^SM will be offered September 11 through October 30 at the Pinellas County Extension office in Largo. Classes will be held on Wednesdays only from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and the program fee of $65 includes registration, light meal and program materials. The 8-week program will include six core classes with specific focus on Energy, Water, and Food, and an elective class on Transportation and Land Use. Participants are eligible for a Certificate of Completion by attending five of the six core classes. 

The classroom style training utilizes multimedia presentations and discussion groups to provide a participatory structure that promotes networking and idea sharing. UF/IFAS Extension faculty teach all sessions and participants receive valuable sustainable living devices (e.g. energy devices) to promote behavior change. Although this is a non-credit adult education program, UF faculty provide opportunities for ongoing learning through the UF/IFAS Extension network and monthly mentoring meetings. 

Join us for this exciting program and become a part of the Sustainable Floridians^SM graduate network. 

Resources: 

Sustainable Floridians^SM

UF Sustainable Living 

UF Office of Sustainability 

From an Intern's Perspective

Alexis Black, a recent intern at Pinellas County Extension’s Satellite Extension Office at Brooker Creek Preserve reflects on her summer internship experience…

Photo of Alexis Black, Intern (left) and 

Lara Miller, Natural Resources Agent (right)

I discovered my passion for the environment after I read An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore and after studying environmentalism in an American History class. Every sentence I read in Gore’s book and every idea I studied in history class made something spark within me and drove me on a crusade to learn all that I can about the environment and to join the effort of improving it. While deciding where I wanted to intern, Brooker Creek Preserve became an option. I chose to intern there because I felt that I could learn about the environment. I was really excited to intern at the preserve because I would be engulfed by the Florida wilderness and meet others with the same passion as me.

Before I began my internship, I had no idea what expect except for the pretense that I would be learning about the environment. I visualized what I would learn about and what I would work on, and I thought of these scenarios where I would be outdoors all day hiking on trails and exploring the wilderness. In reality, I hiked with my sponsor and her co-workers almost every day I interned and they helped me learn the plants and animals of the preserve. I was also indoors a lot organizing and developing materials for the preserve’s Environmental Education Center, a center dedicated to educating the public about the environment and how to protect it. The reality I worked in was so much better than the visualizations I had prior to my internship. 

Over the course of my internship at Brooker Creek Preserve, I learned so much information regarding the preserve itself and the efforts to improve it. I researched the six ecosystems of the preserve along with the plants and animals that live in them. I developed a presentation about these ecosystems and their wildlife for my sponsor’s future use. I additionally completed and submitted two grant applications for a project my sponsor and I planned. I learned how to write responses for these applications and I learned what is necessary for a successful grant application. I also attend a meeting regarding stormwater with my sponsor and learned what stormwater is and what is being done to keep it free of pollutants. Along with the information I learned during my time at Brooker Creek Preserve, interning there has improved my responsibility, time-management skills and helped me grow more mature. These improvements make me feel more prepared for the stressful senior year ahead of me and make me feel more prepared for the workplace.

I am very grateful to have interned at Brooker Creek Preserve because it has taught me so many skills that will be useful to me in the future and it has made me feel more prepared for the adult world. Interning at Brooker Creek Preserve has been both a wonderful and extraordinary experience.

“These past few weeks have literally changed my life…You have changed me more than you could ever know.” –Alexis Black