Florida: Pinellas County Sea Grant

Community Partner: Pinellas County Florida Sea Grant (University of Florida IFAS Extension)

Trip Dates: December 15-22, 2023

Location: St. Petersburg, Florida

Number of Participants: 10

Price: $500

Included in participant fee:

All logistical and travel expenses: Roundtrip transportation (charter bus to and from St. Petersburg, Florida), rental vehicles for local transportation (damage/insurance coverage included), and overnight lodging for entire week at a local Airbnb.
Project/service fees OR donation to community partner for facilitating week of service/alternative break experience
Buck-I-SERV supplies/swag: Individual items (t-shirts, water bottles, pens, and reflection booklets for each group member) and group items (first aid kit, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, deck of playing cards, and thank you card for community partner).
Buck-I-SERV Events and Training: Winter Kick-Off and Welcome Back events with catering and pre-trip education and training
Some meals and group activities: The group will be provided a small budget to use for group meals and group activities. Participants should plan to bring money for out of pocket expenses.

Travel and housing:

Participants will travel to and from St. Petersburg, Florida via charter bus (along with the Florida Aquatic Preserves trip group).
Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, the group will pick up rental vehicles to use for transportation throughout the week.
Housing for the trip will be an Airbnb in Seminole, Florida.
A packing list will be provided to participants and discussed during pre-trip meetings leading up to departure.

What to expect:

Participants will partner with Pinellas County Florida Sea Grant to learn about the intricate coastal and marine ecosystems of the Southwestern Florida areas.
Environmental stewardship, marine wildlife, and community outreach are the themes of this hands-on, outdoor experience!
Each day will include coastal clean-up and environmental restoration of the surrounding shore from invasive species and exotic plant removal.