Eagle Crest Lake Cleanup Expands Civic Engagement While Helping the Environment

Since 2023, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (SPCHS) students have been leading cleanup efforts around the lake on the east end of the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. What began as a community cleanup has now grown into a key priority for the SPCHS National Honor Society and a large-scale community initiative.

How it began

In late fall 2023, SPC was asked to participate in a community cleanup of the shoreline of Eagle Crest Lake, located between the Joseph H. Lang Student Success Center and 66th Street. The students enjoyed being part of the process of keeping the lake and the campus beautiful, and began cleaning up the lake shoreline each fall.

Building on the annual cleanup, the initiative provided an opportunity to increase civic engagement, develop strong peer and faculty relationships, expand environmental stewardship efforts, and enhance the lake’s overall health.

SPC students and science faculty have partnered with Keep Pinellas Beautiful (KPB), James Bays (President of Stewards of Our Urban Lakes, Inc.), and the City of St. Petersburg to organize ongoing cleanup events.

Volunteers—including SPC students, faculty and local residents—work together to remove trash from the lake, campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Canoes provided by KPB allow volunteers to access and clean the lake itself, further expanding the project’s impact.

Environmental impacts

In addition to cleanup efforts, students play a vital role in collecting environmental data. They map and categorize trash, assess biodiversity by identifying plant and animal species, and contribute to ongoing research. Under the guidance of Environmental Science Professor Dr. Stephanie Palomino, students measure key water quality indicators such as temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Algae growth and microplastic levels are also monitored. These efforts provide students with valuable hands-on experience in scientific data collection and ecosystem analysis.

In 2024, students established four test plots along the shoreline, planting five different species of aquatic plants to enhance biodiversity. These test plots have since thrived, demonstrating the long-term ecological benefits of the project.

The impact of the Eagle Crest Lake cleanup has been significant. To date, over a thousand pounds of trash have been removed, fostering greater environmental awareness and engagement among students, faculty and community members. Participants not only contribute to improving their local environment but also gain valuable skills in scientific research, environmental conservation and community service.

How to help

The cleanup initiative continues to grow, and additional volunteer opportunities will be available throughout 2025. Students, faculty, and community members are encouraged to participate in upcoming events to support this important environmental effort.

The next event will be Friday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information or to get involved, contact Associate Dean Stephen Andrasik at andrasik.stephen@spcollege.edu.