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Construction of the Mandalay Pedestrian Bridge is now complete, and the bridge that links the Memorial Causeway to Clearwater Beach is open for public use. The bridge provides safe, scenic access for people who wish to walk, jog, or bike to or from the beach.

The bridge provides an integral link of the Ream Wilson East-West Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail that connects Clearwater Beach to Tampa Bay. The trail, when complete, will provide 14 miles of paved non-motorized pathways for pedestrians.

The trail currently begins on Old Tampa Bay at the southern boundary of Safety Harbor, where it connects with the city’s waterfront sidewalks that extend north into Philippe Park. From Safety Harbor, the trail crosses McMullen Booth Road on a pedestrian bridge and continues uninterrupted under U.S. 19 to Bright House Field on Drew Street. Sections of new trail also are complete along the Progress Energy right-of-way that eventually will extend both to the north and south across Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. The trail is designated to follow east-west Druid Street and again resumes in Clearwater’s downtown.

"Trails not only provide recreation benefit, but especially in these times, offer an invaluable transportation alternative to our residents and visitors," said Kevin Dunbar, Clearwater Parks & Recreation Director. "We are excited that we can offer this type of facility."

The trail is open during daylight hours for use by non-motorized users such as walkers, joggers, runners, skaters and cyclists.

The new $2.482-million structure was built with 100% federal funding. "CMAQ" monies, or funds established for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality projects, were used for the project.

Due to budget constraints, there will be no celebration or ribbon cutting. For more information, call 727-562-4800.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation honoring Saturday, Aug. 9 as National Marina Day. To celebrate the day, designated Clean Marinas with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are hosting special events across the state to highlight the importance of protecting Florida’s waterways at their environmentally-friendly marine facilities.

“With more than 2,000 facilities and a $14 billion marine industry, Florida’s marinas are an integral part of protecting Florida’s environment,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By celebrating National Marina Day and adopting eco-friendly practices year-round, Clean Marinas help to raise awareness of the importance of preserving Florida’s waterways.”

Since 2001, the second Saturday in August has been recognized as National Marina Day by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Association of Marine Industries. With the primary mission being public education, National Marina Day emphasizes the importance of the marine industry as a family-friendly gateway to our rivers, lakes and oceans, and highlights the importance of being a steward of the environment. Recognizing the importance of waterways, designated Clean Marinas in St. Petersburg, Miami, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Hollywood and Amelia Island are providing clean boating outreach and information along with events and activities.

“National Marina Day is an excellent time to recognize the hard work of Florida’s Clean Marinas in protecting the environment,” said Clean Boating Partnership Chair John Naybor of Pensacola. “Members of DEP’s Clean Marina Program stand out as environmental leaders.”

Florida Clean Marinas offering “go green” boating information and events on Saturday include:

Amelia Island Yacht Basin - 251 Creekside Drive, Amelia Island

The marina will host the Trey Durrance Leukemia Benefit and Bike Run, the Amelia Island Sailing Club Poker Run and a BBQ featuring live entertainment from noon to 6 p.m. Yacht brokers, service representatives and vendors will be represented, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department.

City of Hollywood Marina - 700 Polk Street, Hollywood

The marina will host a Cardboard Boat Race with entertainment, hotdogs and beverages. The event begins at noon with races starting at 1 p.m.

City of Miami – Miamarina at Bayside - 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami

The city of Miami will host the 2nd Annual Miami Fishing Tournament to commemorate National Marina Day.

Fish Tale Marina - 7225 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers

The marina will host a picnic on the deck for customers beginning at noon. The facility will also host kayak demo rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fishermen’s Village Yacht Basin - 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda

The marina will host National Marina Day festivities from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Live music will be offered from 5-9 p.m. This year’s theme is Environmental Stewardship of Charlotte Harbor.

The Harborage Marina at Bayboro – Wet Slip Marina – 1110 3rd Street South, St. Petersburg

The marina will provide music, food and fun from noon to 4 p.m. Other agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also will provide educational materials to the public.

In conjunction with DEP, the Clean Boating Partnership developed Florida’s Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater Programs in 1996 to protect Florida’s waterways. The Florida Clean Marina Program designated its first member in 2000 and now has 170 Clean Marinas, 29 Clean Boatyards and four Clean Marine Retailers.

The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders who contribute time and input to the Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs, which DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives administers, to protect Florida’s waterways. The partnership includes DEP, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Through sponsored workshops, technical assistance, conferences and dedication ceremonies, the partnership educates the boating community about pollution prevention and protecting Florida’s waterways.

DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.

For more information on National Marina Day events, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/marina_day.htm. For more information on DEP’s Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/default.htm . To view the Governor’s proclamation, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/files/marinadayproclamation_2008.pdf.

The Family & Neighborhood Center for Oldsmar and Safety Harbor is conducting a drive for items to fill 800 Back-to-School backpacks for students of all ages.

Donations of time or money are being sought. Items are needed to fill the bags and volunteers to give time to fill the bags. Any financial donations will go 100% to filling the bags.

Items can be dropped off either at the offices of the Safety Harbor or Upper Tampa Bay chambers of commerce or to the Family & Neighborhood Center, which is located at 1003 Dr. M.L. King Jr. St. N., Safety Harbor.

Backpack Stuffing (for all 800 backpacks!) will be held 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Aug. 11 at the Safety Harbor Elementary School Auditorium, 535 5th St. N., Safety Harbor.

A "Back to School Celebration" to distribute the backpacks will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at Safety Harbor City Park, 940 7th St. S., Safety Harbor.

Call 727-726-2890 or 813-855-4233.

Firewood can contain destructive pests and diseases and vacationing Floridians are urged to take steps to reduce the chance of an accidental infestation.

Many residents and tourists use firewood for campfires, even during the summer, and they need to be aware of the potential problems. Several species of destructive wood boring beetles and diseases can inhabit popular firewood varieties. Numerous other states are battling insects and diseases and the concern is that out-of-state campers will bring their own firewood to Florida, or people will move potentially infested firewood from one area of the state to another. Any wood-boring beetles and diseases that may have come along for the ride could infest Florida plants and trees.

Florida's Division of Plant Industry has posted a video about preventing the introduction of destructive beetles and other insects into Florida in infested firewood on its web site at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/videos.html . The pests can wreak havoc on many types of trees and other foliage.

For example, an Asian longhorned beetle infestation has resulted in the destruction of thousands of maple, elm and other trees in New York and Chicago; and, the emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states.

"It costs millions of dollars to try and eradicate these pests, not to mention the tremendous loss of so many trees," Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said. "The impact on the environment can be significant and we need to do everything possible to protect our trees."

Most recently, a fungus that causes a fatal disease called laurel wilt threatens Florida forests. A non-native insect, the red bay ambrosia beetle, spreads the fungus. Laurel wilt disease kills red bays, sassafras and pond spice, and even attacks one of Florida's most important fruit trees, the avocado. Laurel wilt spread into Florida after wood packing material infested with red bay ambrosia beetles was found in Savannah, Ga.

Dutch elm disease is another serious problem spreading across North America. A fungus transmitted by two species of bark beetles causes the disease and has destroyed over half the elm trees in the northern United Sates. The fungus has not yet been found in Florida.

Invasive pests and diseases arrive in Florida each year at a rate of at least one new significant pest a month; they come in on cargo shipments, storm fronts, infected plant material, in the luggage of millions of visitors to Florida, and in firewood.

There are ways Floridians can protect against the introduction of invasive pests and diseases:

-- Be vigilant. If you see signs of disease or an unusual pest, contact your county extension office or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, helpline at 1-888-397-1517.

-- Don't pack a pest. When returning home to Florida from a trip, don't bring plants, fruits, vegetables or illegal animals.

-- Purchase only certified plants from registered nurseries to ensure they are free of pests and diseases.

Prevent the introduction and/or spread of unwanted insects and diseases specifically involving firewood by following these simple recommendations:

-- Use sources of firewood that are local (within 50 miles) to the area of your campground.

-- Do not move firewood from one part of Florida to another.

-- Burn all firewood (local or out-of-state firewood) before leaving your campground.

-- If you are unable to burn all the firewood due to weather, fire ban or other reasons, and you either live in the same area of the state (within 50 miles) as the campground, or are visiting from out of state, please take the firewood home. However, if you live in another area of Florida, please leave the firewood at your campground. This will help prevent the movement of pests and diseases from one part of Florida to another.

If you have questions about these recommendations, call 1-888-397-1517.

The Department conducts surveying and trapping activities for the early detection of unwanted plant pests and diseases. For more information, visit http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi .