Progress – City of Dunedin
Nestled on the shores of St. Joseph sound, Dunedin has become an international sensation among travelers. Unique in every aspect, from shopping on Main St. to enjoying waterfront dining near the city’s quaint Marina district. Known for its vibrant art scene, charming galleries and lively downtown the city also hosts 25 festivals annually.
Dunedin is home of Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park. Honeymoon Island has 4 miles of beach with great swimming and shelling. Caladesi Island State Park is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s coastline. Nature-lovers can view wildlife while walking an interior nature trail or paddling the 3-mile kayak trail through the mangroves and bay.
The influx of visitors combined with the sensitive natural areas has prompted the City of Dunedin to commit to an extensive number of green initiatives. This led them to become the first certified Beacon City, recognized for protectng the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot. Read more about their initiatives below.
City of Dunedin Epic! Goals
Six initiatives included in the 2021 Business Plan are seen by City leadership as being critical to advancing the long-term strategic goals. Two of them are directly related to being environmentally responsible.
Goal #3 - Promote Dunedin as The Premier Coastal Community, protecting and improving our natural resources for the enjoyment of all.
Goal # 4 - Be the statewide model for environmental sustainability stewardship.
Click here for more information on Dunedin's EPIC! Goals.
The Dunedin Green Scene
The Dunedin Green Scene highlights the various sustainability and environmental projects, initiatives, activities, programs, and events in the City of Dunedin. Dunedin businesses, schools, organizations, and the City's government are striving for a healthier planet - check out each category to learn more.
DREAM - Dunedin's Environmental Action Master Plan
The City of Dunedin is in the beginning stages of writing its environmental plan called DREAM: Dunedin's Resilient Environmental Action Master Plan. More information can be found here.
Ready for 100 Commitment
The City of Dunedin is actively working toward fulfilling the Ready for 100 commitment they made in 2018 "Dunedin City Commission unanimously approved a resolution establishing a goal of powering municipal operations entirely with renewable sources of energy by 2035, and community-wide by 2050. This action establishes Dunedin as the 101st city in the nation to commit to 100 percent clean, renewable energy." - Sierra Club - Read more here.
Solar Energy Grant Program
The City currently has a program where you can apply for a rebate for installing solar! The grant is at a rate of $0.25 per watt of solar power generated for a maximum grant of $2,500. Applicants must be a City of Dunedin resident or business.
The City of Dunedin and Committee on Environmental Quality would like to recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that are green.
Education
The Sustainability Seminar Series is a City of Dunedin educational program intended to teach residents how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Each seminar will provide attendees with real world tips and techniques that can be implemented at home, work, and school to decrease environmental impacts, save money, and increase the quality of life in Dunedin.
Highlighting the Hope Spot through Art
Coming soon to the Curlew Road Water Tower in Dunedin! Kudos to the artist Tom Stoval for his vision. Special thanks to the Dunedin City Commission, City Manager, the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, and the Curlew Project Subcommittee. The sea turtle is named Sylvia after Dr. Sylvia Earle. The word "Hope" will be part of the design. Our Hope Spot will now be in the forefront of the minds of all who enter Dunedin's pristine beaches!
Accolades
Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) has once again confirmed the City of Dunedin’s Platinum status as a Green Local Government! In 2013, the City of Dunedin was the first City in the State of Florida to earn this level of certification, and now in 2019 they have done it again!
Dunedin has received the "Tree City USA" award every year since 1989
The City of Dunedin takes pride in preserving green space for our residents and visitors by maintaining over 240 acres of land dedicated to public use for hiking, biking, swimming, playing and picnicking.
Green Local Government Award – Platinum 2019 from Florida Green Building Coalition
The Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot - Home City of the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot - Mission Blue
Click here for more information on other awards for resilience, best beaches, Ready for 100 pledge
Activities
Tampa Bay Students: The Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot is Official! And YOU can help educate your community! Whether you are a parent, teacher or just friend of a Tampa Bay area schoolchild, you can challenge a local student to learn more about this significant Hope Spot designation and think about how they can help to keep it healthy. Participating students, schools, and teachers will receive special recognition. All Tampa Bay students K-12 in can participate!
Read more about the Hope for the Future Challenge here.
All Students K-12, get creative and submit films about our waters to Youth Making Ripples by January 15th 2021. Youth Making Ripples has been at the intersection of science and film, providing student an outlet to creatively express the threats to our oceans through our annual film competition. The top films will be eligible for cash prizes, will be screened at their premiere festival, will be featured on our social media, and will be included in our database of films that are shown at satellite events to audiences across the country. See examples on the Threats page of our website. Read more about Youth Making Ripples submisssions here.
Calculate your Water Footprint
Drill down with this caluclator to experiment with how small changes, like cuttign your shower by 1 minute, can add up to big difference. Think about if everyone made that small change, every day, of every year... how much water would be saved?
Any questions? Please let us know and we'll do our best to get them answered during the Q&A session October 10th!
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