We had fun partially reforesting our yard in a deed-restricted neighborhood in Pinellas County, Florida. We believe this will save us money on our water, air conditioning, and lawn-care bills. We believe it will improve our home’s resale value. We hope it will help protect and restore our estuary, St. Joseph Sound, and the wonderful recreation, shellfish, and fish it provides us.

"Pinellas County" means “county of pine trees”. A warm peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Pinellas is surrounded by inviting salt water. So, it has become very dense, with over one million people living on just 280 square miles. That density has cost Pinellas many of its pine forests, and much of its estuaries’ shellfish and fish production. We believe those are the types of problems that governments cannot solve, but families may be able to. One way is to simply do what we did...

...partially reforest the yard! Our new yard is cooler, prettier, has more privacy, more flowers, birds, and wildlife, more inviting shade, and a healthier, more serene feeling. We feel as if we are now a part of, not just spectators to, Pinellas County’s wonderful environment.

How did we do this? Easily! We worked toward making our yard a “Certified Florida Yard”, following the Checklist from the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program, at the “Pinellas County Coop”.

Click on "Our Yard", above, to find out more.

Click on "County Coop" to go to the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.

esorenson@tampabay.rr.com
Early McMullen Sorenson
1332 Fairway Drive, Dunedin, Florida 34698