Seminole Discussion Group on Recycling and Sustainability

Monday, February 4, 2013  
10 a.m. to noon
 
Seminole Community Library Program Room 
9200 113th St. N
Seminole, Florida 33722

TOPIC 1:
Tampa Bay Time promotes people to exchange their time and talents....instead of money. This organization is the local affiliate of TimeBanks USA. Come learn about how this exchange system can work for you!

TOPIC 2:
Jene's Tropicals is a local company that has been in business 24 years! You will learn about their nursery, which is filled with citrus and tropical trees, bushes, vines, flowering tropical trees, and rare exotics. Bring your infected leaves....ailing palm fronds...or blades of sick grass for a professional diagnosis.

Kindly drop a note to Mary at queenofrecycle@hotmail.com  to let her know you'll be attending.
Thanks!

Enjoying Kyaking

Libby Carnahan
Sea Grant Agent
Pinellas County Extension

Let me paint a picture for you…The water is flat calm around you, there is not a soul in sight, and the only sounds that you hear are those of wading birds and jumping fish. As the sun rises over the horizon, a manatee meanders by and surfaces not 100 feet from you. Life could not be more serene.

You are Kayaking! Kayaking and other paddle sports allow us to experience the coastal marine environment in a unique way. They offer increased opportunity for viewing wildlife for several reasons-there is no engine noise to deter animals, and with the slower pace of a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, you are more likely to be observant of your surroundings. Paddle sports are also a great form of exercise.

Kayaking and Canoeing can be combined with many activities that you already enjoy-fishing, bird watching, geochaching, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the great outdoors. You do not have to own your own gear or be an expert to enjoy a day paddling on the water. Tampa Bay is home to many reputable companies who rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Many outfitters also offer lessons from beginner to advanced, as well as provide guided tours.

Tampa Bay is home to many marked paddling trails that will lead you through mangrove tunnel and over seagrass flats including. Other trails will take you to Intracoastal spoil islands and sandy beaches. For a comprehensive list of paddling trails around Tampa Bay, as well as helpful safety tips, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Paddling Trails webpage,
http://ocean.floridamarine.org/boating_guides/tampa_bay/pages/paddling_trails.html

Backyard Poultry in Pinellas County

Mary Campbell,
Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent

If you are considering keeping chickens in your backyard, there are specific requirements based on the community you live in. Please refer to the local ordinances for your municipality or unincorporated Pinellas County for more information. Homeowner Associations may also have specific requirements that override local ordinances.

Municipalities that Allow Chickens

City	Chickens	Other Poultry	Restrictions	Limit	Noise Restrictions
Bellair	Yes	Yes	May not be raised for commercial purposes. Coops must be kept clean. Permit required.	5 domes- tic animals
Dunedin	Yes	Yes	Fowl must be kept within an enclosure, apply to city codes and regulations, and not constitute a nuisance.		Yes
Gulfport	Yes	No	Chickens must be contained in the backyard and all coops must be kept clean. No roosters.	10 hens
Largo	Yes	Yes	Fowl must be securely fenced and coops and runways must be kept clean.		Yes
St. Petersburg	Yes	Yes	Fowl must be securely fenced and coops and runways must be kept clean. Not within 100 ft of neighbors without their approval.		Yes

Summary of Pinellas County Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas 

1. Fowl may not be raised for commercial purposes; fowl may not be slaughtered. 
2. Up to 4 hens may be kept; no roosters. 
3. Must not create a nuisance of noise, odor, pests, or any other nuisance condition. 
4. Fowl must be securely fenced and the coop must be covered and ventilated. The coop must be completely secured from predators. 
5. Chickens must be kept in the backyard. 
6. Coops and runways must be kept clean. 
7. Chicken enclosure must be kept a minimum of 10 feet from neighbor’s property and not be taller than 6 feet. 
8. The chicken enclosure must be screened from neighbor’s view, using an opaque fence and/or landscape screen 
9. If coop exceeds 100 square feet in size, a building permit must be acquired. 
10. A minimum of 3 square feet is required per hen. 
11. All stored feed must be kept in a rodent and predator-proof container. 

Chicken FAQs 
Here are some common questions that Pinellas County Extension has received from citizens who are interested in keeping chickens.

• What types of breeds are recommended for backyard poultry? Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red, Ameraucana, White Leghorn, Australorp, and Barred Rock. 
• How long do chickens live? Chickens live an average of 7 years although they can live 10 years or more. 
  
• What temperature do chickens need to survive? Chickens thrive in ranges between 70-75 °F, and may die in temperatures exceeding 95 °F. Hens lay eggs the best in temperature ranges between 45-80 °F. 
• How much space do chickens need? Chickens need about 2 square feet per hen for Bantam breeds, and 3 square feet for other birds. 
• Should I use chicken wire to enclose the chickens? Chicken wire can be used to enclose a run, but the open weave allows predators to reach through the openings. Rigid hardware cloth is recommended for sleeping or resting areas. 
• How much food and water do chickens need? Chickens drink about 1 to 2 cups of water each day. Layers drink twice as much as non-layers. Lightweight layers need about 4 to 4½ ounces of feed per hen per day, or about 4 pounds of feed for every dozen eggs laid. 

If you are interested in backyard poultry, please click here to join Extension for a new workshop on Urban Agriculture: Small to Large on February 9^th for Chickens 101 – morning session.  

Resources: 
UF Basic Guide for the Backyard Chicken Flock: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an239 
Backyard Chickens: http://www.backyardchickens.com/ 
Build A Chicken Coop Easy: http://www.buildachickencoopeasy.com/
4 H Virtual Farm: Poultry : http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualfarm/poultry/poultry.html 
The City Chicken.com: http://citychickens.com/ 
City Chicks (chicken source) 727-546-3478 located in Pinellas Park

Free Energy-Saving Class

Would you like to learn more ways to consume less energy without sacrificing your level of comfort? Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP) is offering FREE classes in various area of Pinellas County. You will learn how to reduce your home energy bill and receive free energy saving devices that will help you to save money, including a new LED light bulb. 

Register at www.pinellascountyextension.org

• Tuesday January 15 at 6 p.m.
  at Largo Public Library 
• Saturday February 9 at 10 a.m.
  at Weedon Island Preserve
• Saturday February 16 at 10 a.m.
  at Seminole United Methodist Church 
• Tuesday February 19 at 1 p.m.
  at Pinellas County Extension’s Largo office 
• Tuesday March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
  at St. Petersburg Main Library 
• Thursday March 21 at 6 p.m.
  at Oldsmar Public Library 
• Saturday March 23 at 10 a.m.
  at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

Seminole Discussion Group on Recycling & Sustainability

Starting the New Year off right with two wonderful guest speakers.

Attend a fascinating meeting
Monday, January 7, 2013
10:00 am to noon

Seminole Community Library Program Room 
9200 113th St. N
Seminole, Florida 33722

PowerPoint presentations on

• Water Reuse
  Speaker: Joy Ingram, M.A., Global Sustainability
• Green Home Certification Program
  Speaker: Joe Triolo, Progress Energy

Bring your questions. Bring your neighbors.

For information and to RSVP, contact Mary, queenofrecycle@hotmail.com.