Eco-Friendly Summer Tips for Suncoast Residents and Visitors

The Suncoast offers beautiful beaches, stunning wildlife, and warm summer days. The scenery is painting-worthy, and the beaches beckon for a host of activities. It takes everyone thinking through little changes or activities to help protect and preserve this amazing landscape. To help protect and preserve this unique environment, here are some eco-friendly tips for both residents and visitors:

1. Beach Clean-Up Participation

• Organize or Join Clean-Up Events: Participate in local beach clean-up events or organize your own. Even picking up a few pieces of trash during your beach visit can make a significant impact.
• Leave No Trace: When you leave the beach, ensure you take all your belongings and trash with you. Use reusable bags to collect any litter you encounter.

2. Sustainable Beach Gear

• Reusable Water Bottles: Bring a reusable water bottle to avoid single-use plastic bottles. Many beaches have water refill stations.
• Eco-Friendly Sunscreen: Choose reef-safe sunscreens that do not contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can damage coral reefs and marine life.
• Reusable Bags and Containers: Pack snacks and meals in reusable containers and bring reusable bags for any beach gear.

3. Conservation and Wildlife Protection

• Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance and avoid feeding animals. Human food can harm local species and disrupt their natural behaviors.
• Turtle Nest Awareness: During turtle nesting season (May through October), be mindful of marked nesting areas on the beaches. Avoid using bright lights that can disorient hatchlings.
• Fishing Responsibly: Follow local fishing regulations and practice catch and release when possible. Use biodegradable fishing lines and avoid leaving any gear behind.

4. Transportation Choices

• Bike or Walk: To reduce carbon emissions, use bicycles or walk whenever possible. Many areas of the Suncoast have bike-friendly scenic trails.
• Public Transport and Carpooling: Opt for public transportation or carpool with friends and family to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

5. Water Conservation

• Shorter Showers: Take shorter showers to conserve water, especially if you’re staying at a hotel or rental property.
• Reusing Towels: Reuse towels during your stay to reduce laundry and save water.

6. Eco-Friendly Accommodations

• Stay at Green Hotels: Choose accommodations that have sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and recycling programs.
• Local Products: Support local businesses that use eco-friendly practices and products.

7. Mindful Activities

• Eco-Tours: Participate in eco-tours that focus on environmental education and conservation efforts.
• Snorkeling and Diving: Choose tour operators that follow sustainable practices and support marine conservation efforts.

8. Local and Sustainable Dining

• Farm-to-Table Restaurants: Dine at restaurants that source their ingredients locally and sustainably. This supports local farmers and reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.
• Minimize Food Waste: Order only what you can eat and consider sharing large portions to reduce food waste.

9. Reusable Shopping Bags

• Shopping: Bring reusable shopping bags when you visit local markets and shops to minimize plastic bag use.

10. Energy Conservation

• Smart Energy Use: If renting a vacation home, be mindful of energy use by turning off lights, fans, and air conditioning when not needed.

By following these eco-friendly tips, residents and visitors of the Suncoast can enjoy the beauty of the area while helping to preserve it for future generations. Giving just a bit of extra thought to our activities and actions this summer can produce big results. Hopefully, everyone can collaborate to keep our beaches and stunning scenery amazing for future generations.

Photos Courtesy of Deposit Photos and Unsplash