In a testament to VHB's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, our Gulf Coast offices recently participated in the Great American Cleanup. This event, coordinated with Tampa Bay Watch and Keep Pinellas Beautiful, showcased the power of community involvement in preserving the natural beauty and health of Tampa Bay.
A Collective Effort for a Cleaner Bay
The cleanup, part of Keep America Beautiful's® Great American Cleanup program, involved 88 volunteers who collectively removed 1,212 pounds of debris from the coastlines of Tampa Bay. VHB was proud to have 14 participants, including employees and their family members, who focused on cleanup at the north rest area of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Several VHBers brought their children to join the effort, underscoring the importance of instilling environmental values in the next generation.
“Plastic pollution continues to be a problem for oceans and every bottle, straw, piece of fishing line, discarded piece of clothing, and plastic bag that we picked up eliminated waste that may make its way into the Bay,” said Rachel Gonzalez, Civil Designer. “By removing this marine debris, VHB made the coastline more habitable for visitors and residents who fish, boat, and use the area for recreation.”
Raising Awareness Beyond Cleanup
The Great American Cleanup is one of the country’s largest community improvement programs that takes place each spring. It engages millions of volunteers across the country to clean and beautify local environments and serves as a mechanism for raising awareness about environmental conservation. By engaging local communities, the program emphasizes the global impact of individual actions, fostering a shared responsibility for healthier ecosystems.
VHB's involvement in such initiatives aligns with its broader mission in the Southeast region. The Tampa and Sarasota offices have been delivering innovative solutions to critical community health, transportation and development needs, leading key projects that are strengthening resiliency in the region, such as the Weeki Wachee Channel Restoration, Tampa Bay Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan, St. Petersburg Integrated Sustainability Action Plan, and the City of Tampa Climate Action Plan.
Looking Forward
As we look to the future, events like the Sunshine Skyway Bridge cleanup serve as important reminders of the collective responsibility we share. “Through continued partnership with organizations like Tampa Bay Watch and Keep Pinellas Beautiful, VHB aims to inspire positive change that extends far beyond the Tampa region,” said Kathleen Keen, Gulf Coast Managing Director.
Learn more about coastal resiliency initiatives at VHB Tampa or reach out directly to Kathleen Keen.
