St. Pete's Tree Rebuild: Greener Future Ahead

0:00St. Pete and Florida is on a mission to rebuild its tree canopy after hurricanes Helene and Milton wiped out about 20% of the city's trees. Local leaders say the storms hit hard, leaving neighborhood shadeier in all the wrong ways, and now restoration is top priority to bring back that. Natural cover. Over the past two years, cleanup efforts took center stage, with debris hauled away but few trees going back in right away. Residents like Worthy Maguire, whose call child's park home for 20 years, notice the change firsthand. Big shade trees gone, leaving spots, exposed to the sun. Folks in the area are feeling the loss, not just for shade, but to fight air pollution from a nearby oil refinery that leaves a lingering foul smell. Maguire hopes new greenery will beautify the streets, making the neighborhood as stunning as downtown. City Councilman Corey Gibbons Jr. announced fresh programs rolling out soon, including free tree giveaways and neighborhood mini-grants to get. Residents planting.

1:00These resident lead efforts aim to combat emissions and restore that vital shade. With these initiatives kicking off in the coming months, St. Pete's pushing toward a greener, cleaner future for everyone. I'm Corey with the story. That's your Tampa Bay News today update. AI powered and always on.