Resilient Clearwater: Plants and Trees

Illustration of a large tree highlighting its benefits, including cleaner air and water, improved soil health, community beautification, well-being, wildlife support, reduced flooding and cooler cities.

Clearwater’s natural landscape is both beautiful and essential to the resilience of our community. Trees and plants do more than enhance our neighborhoods they improve air quality, support wildlife, help manage stormwater and provide shade that keeps our city cooler.  

Planting and protecting resilient vegetation are an important part of building a stronger, healthier community. Thoughtful landscaping and simple actions at home can create lasting benefits for our environment and quality of life. 

Why Trees & Plants Matter  

Plants and trees support a resilient Clearwater in four key ways: 

Health – Supporting Healthy Communities 

  • Improve air quality by filtering pollutants 
  • Produce oxygen through photosynthesis 
  • Support mental health and well-being through access to green space 

Habitat – Supporting Wildlife 

  • Provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and pollinators 
  • Improve soil health through organic matter like fallen leaves 
  • Support biodiversity and balanced ecosystems 

Heat – Cooling Our Community 

  • Provide shade that reduces surface and air temperatures 
  • Release moisture that helps cool the surrounding air 
  • Reduce the urban heat island effect 

Hydrology – Managing Stormwater 

  • Absorb rainfall and reduce runoff 
  • Stabilize soil and prevent erosion 
  • Filter pollutants before they reach waterways 

Why Native Plants Matter 

  • Native plants are well suited to Florida’s climate and conditions and play an important role in building resilient landscapes. 
  • Benefits of native plants: 
  • Require less water, fertilizer and maintenance
  • Support local wildlife and pollinators
  • More resilient to heat, drought and storms
  • Improve soil and ecosystem health 

How You Can Help

Start with Smart Landscaping

Reduce Maintenance & Inputs


Work With Nature


Plant With a Purpose

Create a Pollinator Garden 

  • Plant nectar and host plants for butterflies and bees 
  • Group plants together to make them easier for pollinators to find 
  • Include a variety of plants that bloom throughout the year 

Cool Your Property 

  • Plant shade trees and layered vegetation 
  • Use trees, shrubs and groundcover to reduce heat buildup 
  • Replace heat-absorbing surfaces (concrete, asphalt, rock beds) where possible 

Manage Stormwater 

  • Install a rain garden to capture and filter runoff 
  • Use deep-rooted native plants 
  • Incorporate a mix of wet- and dry-tolerant species 

Increase permeable surfaces to reduce runoff and improve water absorption 


 

Get Involved 

Sign up to volunteer with Clearwater Parks & Recreation volunteer program for activities such as: 

  

 

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