St. Petersburg residents have a range of volunteer opportunities this winter that can improve public spaces, protect local ecosystems and support community health, according to St Pete Catalyst.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Beach Art Center in Indian Rocks Beach will host “Brushes on the Beach,” a one‑day plein‑air art walk spanning Indian Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Beach and Sand Key. Volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to greet visitors, collect zip codes and distribute Art Walk booklets, as well as to assist with the Gallery Show and Sunset Celebration beginning at 4:30 p.m. The Center is located at 1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach.
Environmental stewardship is highlighted on Saturday, Nov. 21, when the City of Gulfport, in partnership with Keep Pinellas Beautiful, will conduct an invasive‑species removal at Clam Bayou Nature Park from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Participants will pull Brazilian Pepper, Castor Bean and Carrotwood. Volunteers under 18 must be signed in by a parent; those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The park, at 29th Avenue S. and Miriam Street S. in Gulfport, provides all necessary supplies and a water refill station.
Garden enthusiasts can join a Pollinator Garden Workday at George C. McGough Nature Park in Largo on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers will plant flowers to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The 26‑acre park sits at 11901 146th Street N., Largo, and offers free parking.
St. Petersburg’s Marine Exploration Center is seeking volunteers to help operate its aquarium at RumFish Grill and Sports Bar on St. Pete Beach. Volunteers will assist with food preparation, feeding marine animals, cleaning systems and running education programs, including a touch tank. No prior experience is required, and training is provided. The venue is located at 6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.
Finally, St. Anthony’s Hospital, located at 1200 Seventh Avenue N., St. Petersburg, is recruiting volunteers to aid patients during discharge. Volunteers will gather belongings, transport items to the hospitality center or lobby, and wait for transportation. Shifts are one hour on Mondays or Wednesdays, and volunteers must be 18 or older and pass a background check.
What’s next: Interested residents can sign up for the Beach Art Center event, the Clam Bayou invasive‑removal, the McGough pollinator workday, the Marine Exploration Center aquarium support or the St. Anthony’s discharge program through the links provided by St Pete Catalyst. Participation not only benefits the specific sites but also strengthens the broader Pinellas County community.
Sources: stpetecatalyst.com
