CITGO Brings Communities Together
Keep Pinellas Beautiful (KPB) received a grant from Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) and partner CITGO to assist in revitalizing the High Point community located in the heart of Pinellas County. This unincorporated community is highly visible and widely used by residents and tourists as a corridor to major highways and bridges from mid to south Pinellas County.
The High Point community encompasses the county’s juvenile detention center, Pinellas County jail, Pinellas Safe Harbor homeless shelter, Highpoint Neighborhood Family Center (community center), St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport, and the district’s involuntary disciplinary program at Pinellas Secondary School. The High Point community is also adjacent to significant water bodies that flow into the Bay supporting essential nurseries for fish, critical spots for sea turtle nests, and commercial fishing inlet areas. This area has been facing challenges including an abundant amount of litter, stormwater runoff, and funding restrictions that have limited educational and environmental programs. Thanks to this grant, KPB hosted opportunities to educate and engage the residents, business owners, and youth to revitalize the neighborhoods and improve the overall health of the ecosystems.
A major goal of this grant was to be a consistent presence in this growing urban area by conducting educational outreach presentations and restoration projects throughout the cities of Largo and Clearwater which surround the High Point area. Through collaborations with partnering groups and volunteers, we are able to leave lasting impacts on our community and our natural environment. Thanks to this grant, KPB had resources to empower this community and inspire residents.
Our Impact:
KPB has been able to host beautification, restoration projects, and educational events which resulted in:
total of 198.50 volunteer hours
removal of 100 lbs. of invasive species
removal of 181 lbs. of litter from our cleanup events
planted 194 native shrubs, flowers and plants
reduced erosion by laying down 4,750 lbs. of mulch
A total of 19 educational signs were designed to be installed throughout the High Point community center to educate the community about native plants
Another way KPB staff and volunteers engaged the neighboring communities was by having conversations and providing information to individuals and business owners about our hotline program to report illegal dumpings and litter issues. During this grant cycle, KPB was able to remove 3,325 lbs. of litter using our Litter Hotline Program. Through this program, we were able to build and maintain strong relationships and partnerships in the area. This allowed us to better support individuals and groups in removing litter which in turn provides safe and environmentally friendly habitats for all to live and enjoy.
To ensure the program's success moving forward, KPB is continuing to apply for more grants and sponsorships to support the High Point community. For more information about upcoming events and how to get involved please visit, https://www.kpbcares.org/upcoming-events.
Keep Pinellas Beautiful would like to acknowledge our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) and partner CITGO for the opportunity to educate the residents and revitalize the High Point community.