Aerial of Pinellas County looking from downtown Saint Petersburg Florida

The Wave

Your Pinellas County Government Newsletter

June 2025

A glance at people, programs & news from Pinellas County!

Weathering a new Hurricane Season together

The start of hurricane season feels different this year as many residents continue to recover from last year's storms. Like you, we want a quiet hurricane season, but we need to be ready if Mother Nature has other plans. Hear Pinellas County Commission Chair Brian Scott offer guidance on getting through this season together:

BCC Chair Brian Scott speaking in front of a blue and white Pinellas County background.

For resources to help you get ready, visit disaster.pinellas.gov. This page includes information on how to...

Look up your evacuation zone.
Build an emergency kit.
Make a plan for everyone in your family, including your pets.
Register for the Special Needs Evacuation Program if needed.
Prepare your home and boat.
Sign up for emergency alerts through Alert Pinellas.

You can also pick up a copy of the 2025 Pinellas County Hurricane Guide at your local library, community center or city hall.

We need your input! Help shape our Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan

Pinellas County is developing a Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan to help our community recover smarter in the future. We need your input to identify high-risk areas and shape strategies for recovery, stronger infrastructure and more. Please take 10 minutes to share your experiences.

Celebrating the county's best in EMS

The Board of County Commissioners honored three EMS heroes during EMS professionals week for their incredible work on and off duty. From guiding emergency care during a hurricane to aiding a seizing child and stabilizing a stroke mid-flight: meet the 2025 EMS Professionals of the Year. Help us congratulate Scott Waitekus, Jason Biggs and Derek Currier as the 2025 EMS Professionals of the Year!

Pinellas Citizen University celebrates graduation

The Class of 2025 completed the Pinellas Citizen University. The group got an inside look at various Pinellas County operations during the six-week program. Participants learned about the budget, saw what it takes to plan a hurricane evacuation and toured the South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Plant, among other exciting experiences. Interested in taking the course next year? Keep an eye out for the invitation in early 2026!

Skip the fertilizer from June 1 to Sept. 30

Summer rains can sweep lawn and landscape fertilizer right into our waterways, causing algae blooms and killing marine life. That's why Pinellas County Ordinance prohibits purchase or use of fertilizers with nitrogen or phosphorous from June through September. Fertilizer with phosphorous can only be used on your landscape any time of year if a soil test confirms it is needed. Do your part to protect our environment. Learn more in the video below and on our website.

How to make rainy season work for your landscape

June also marks the start of rainy season in Florida and the team at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in Pinellas County want to help you conserve water by using the rainwater to meet your landscape's needs.

With tips on everything from improving how you water your landscape to showing you the best times to plant those new flowers in your garden, the UF/IFAS team is working to help you have Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Click here to see how they can help you conserve water in your yard.

If you are already practicing water conservation, enter your Florida-Friendly Landscaping for the Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards! Find out more about the program and how to apply here.

Photos of a lady bug, butterfly and two kids looking through a magnifying glass with text that reads "Creepy Crawly STEM Explorer Day Camp. July 7-10 9 a.m.- Noon. Fun & creative outdoor activities for all youth 8-12 years old."

Sign up your young nature lovers for Bug Camp!

Join us for a bug-tastic adventure at the Creepy Crawly STEM Explorers Day Camp! Youth, ages 8-12, will dive into the fascinating world of insects through hands-on science activities, games, and outdoor exploration. Campers will learn what makes bugs so unique, discover their important role in the environment, and even get up close with some real live creepy crawlies!