By Catherine Card, Public Information Manager
In 2017, the City of Destin started its Leave No Trace initiative to promote environmental awareness and pride in our city. We love Destin and we all play a vital role and must be conscious of our actions and how they can impact our environment and city.
Through a partnership between the City of Destin, Okaloosa County and the Okaloosa Tourist Development Department, our beaches and beach trash cans are cleaned and emptied on a regular basis. In 2020, about 900,000 pounds of trash was collected off our beaches in a year of COVID-19 related travel impacts. In 2021, more than 1.1 million pounds of trash were collected from Destin and Okaloosa Island beaches. It is our hope that residents and visitors will take individual pride and initiative to ensure that our emerald waters and sugar white beaches remain beautiful.
Our Leave no Trace initiative goes beyond our beaches and waterways. We want our residents, businesses and visitors to take pride in our roadways, front yards, our parks as well as our entire city.
The Destin City Council, Mayor and staff hope residents, local businesses and visitors will join the effort and support the Leave No Trace initiative, and here is how you can participate! Businesses can promote the initiative by displaying the Leave No Trace logo on their digital billboards or simply post “Leave No Trace” on their marquee sign. We kindly ask all residents and visitors to remove all the items that they bring with them. We ask they take pride in Destin and keep our beautiful city clean. It is that simple.
The city works with many partners to collaborate on various clean-ups throughout the year and operates an Adopt-A-Street Program which allows local families, businesses and community groups to perform a valuable community service by adopting sections of a street to keep clear of litter and debris. For more information, please visitwww.cityofdestin.com/leavenotrace.
April is Jazz Appreciation Month and what better way to celebrate than with a free, open-air concert at the Destin Library? Sponsored by Friends Guild of the Destin Library, on Tuesday April 12th at 12 p.m., bring your lawn chair, pack a lunch and enjoy a performance by Destin’s own Dr. Cheryl Jones outside on the veranda. Dr. Jones is a pianist, vocalist, composer and music director who’s been the voice of the award-winning group Jones and Company for over 20 years. Free and open to the public. In the event of inclement weather, please check the library’s Facebook page or website at cityofdestin.com/library for updates. For more information, contact the library at 850-837-8572 or library@cityofdestin.com.
You don’t have to be Peter Cottontail to hop on down the Easter Treat Trail at the Destin Library. On April 13th at 10:30 a.m., toddlers and preschoolers are invited to follow the bunny trail where library staff will be handing out crafts, snacks and treats. There is no cost to attend, however registration is requested to make sure that there are enough goodies for every bunny. Click on the Easter Treat Trail event on the library cooperative’s calendar at okaloosa.librarycalendar.com to fill out the short registration form. In case of rain, please refer to the library’s Facebook page or their website at cityofdestin.com/library for cancellation information the day of the event.
The Destin Garden Club proudly presents its eagerly awaited annual Plant Sale on April 23rd from 9 a.m. to noon on the grounds of the Destin Library. Garden Club members will have lots of plants for sale, many grown by the club members themselves with a focus on Florida friendly plants. There will be a Master Gardner table with helpful information for everyone and club members will be giving tours of the Destin Library’s beautiful Butterfly Garden. All are welcome for a wonderful day of horticultural therapy. For questions, contact the library at (850) 837-8572 or library@cityofdestin.com.
The City of Destin’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 16th, at Morgan Sports Center beginning at 9 a.m. Ages 12 and under can participate with a special egg hunting zone for crawlers and toddlers. Persons with disabilities who require assistance to participate in this event are requested to notify the recreation manager at least 48 hours in advance.
For more information, contact the City of Destin Recreation Department at 850-654-5184 or emailrecreation@cityofdestin.com.
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