ABOUT US
Who We are
Our mission is to improve water quality and restore the natural habitat of urban lakes through the education and engagement of our communities.
Our vision is to create thriving urban lakes that serve as vital, sustainable ecosystems, fostering biodiversity and providing educational and recreational opportunities for the community.
Our History
SoUL received Federal non-profit status in 2021. However, the roots of our organization extend back to April 2007, when a core group of a planner, an artist, and an environmental scientist received a mini-grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP). That initial grant supported the planning and installation of wetland marsh plants in the shallow shorelines of the north and south ends of Crescent Lake in St. Petersburg. That group gathered other neighbors and formed the volunteer group, Friends of Crescent Lake (FOCL). In response to multiple requests for assistance, we began transitioning in 2021 from the focus on Crescent Lake including other St. Petersburg lakes. Cumulatively, including our original mini-grants to FOCL, SoUL has received a total of nine mini-grants to continue the progress and upgrading of lakes in St. Petersburg.
What We Do
In the field, SoUL directs and tracks the progress of litter reduction and habitat restoration efforts in all our lakes. We also assist other interested neighborhood homeowner associations in lake cleanup and revegetation efforts. SoUL tracks and summarizes chemical and physical cleanup data and reaches out to the neighboring communities to provide information updates to share our perspective on the value of urban lakes and the various stewardship measures that can be taken.