What comes to mind when you hear “Spring Break?” Some may imagine a week of tourism, beaches, sunbathing, and swimming. However, Spring Break impacts local citizens and the environment even after spring breakers leave town. Florida, for example, is the most popular destination for spring breakers, especially in Pinellas County. Although a week-long Spring Break trip of soaking up some sun sounds simple, Keep Pinellas Beautiful (KPB) wants to help remind sunshine and beach lovers how to enjoy their spring breaks responsibly.

How You Can “Spring Break” Responsibly:

Do Not Litter

It is vital to the local environment and wildlife to be mindful of our trash and actions while enjoying the outdoors. One way to protect our local wildlife is to not litter; it is important to always properly dispose of trash, even if it seems inconvenient. If there is not a garbage can nearby, bring a garbage bag of your own and wait until you can properly dispose of the bag. If you’re given the opportunity to recycle, clean, and properly place recyclable items into their designated bins. Properly disposing of garbage keeps Florida shorelines clean, wildlife safe, and the beaches even more enjoyable for locals and visitors.

Respect Wildlife

Wildlife should never be disturbed. Spring Break falls near the start of sea turtle nesting season, which typically occurs May 1st through October 31st in Florida. Black Skimmer nesting season also begins in May, and they nest on the sand along beaches, sandbars, and islands developed by dredged-up material. Dunes are some of St. Pete Beach’s most valuable natural resources as they provide habitat for several different coastal species and storm protection for the upland communities. Avoid walking in dunes, feeding or touching wildlife, and read posted signs. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a dolphin or manatee!

Safety

It is important to protect yourself from rip currents, long sun exposure, and dehydration. Rip currents are strong currents that pull directly away from the shore and commonly cause people to be swept out to sea. It is important to avoid swimming too deep, but if you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you exit the current. Then, swim back towards the shore at a diagonal angle. Always make sure to swim in the view of a lifeguard and read water safety announcements posted on the beach.

Excessive sun exposure can lead to painful sunburns and other harmful results. It is important to wear sunscreen with the appropriate SPF and to reapply as often as needed. Try your best to use eco-friendly sunscreen, dispose of empty bottles properly, and have aloe vera ready. Some eco-friendly and reef-safe sunscreen brands include Sun Drunk and Stream2Sea. Staying properly hydrated with water will also help immensely in the Florida sun and heat.

Be a Green Beachgoer

Being a responsible beachgoer includes avoiding single-use plastics! If you are packing food for the beach, bring a reusable cooler, Tupperware, ice packs, and utensils. If you are trying to stay hydrated, use a metal reusable water bottle to cut back on plastic bottle waste. Using a reusable water bottle also ensures that your drink will stay nice and cool in the heat. Another way to be green is to pick up litter when you see it, even if it’s not yours! One way to do this is to join KPB at one of our many cleanup and beautification events! This is a great way to get involved and clean up your favorite beach.

Eco-Friendly Hotels

Did you know that there are eco-friendly hotels in Pinellas County? Hotels such as Legacy Vacation Resort Indian Shores (Certified B Corp), TradeWinds Island Grand Resort (St. Pete Beach), and Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club (Clearwater Beach) make efforts toward sustainability and waste reduction.

We hope you have a fun, safe, and enjoyable Spring Break, and make sure to consider these precautions before traveling. Remember, Florida beaches are home to many locals and wildlife. Leave nothing but footprints!

Spring Break & Shorelines: Keep Our Beaches Beautiful this Spring Break