🌱 Butterfly Footprint​ + Arbor Day Tree Giveaway + Zero Waste Event

Hey, neighbors! I'm back with your new copy of the Dunedin Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening these days in town. Today you'll find news about these stories and more...

• Road closures downtown this evening.
• Meet the owners of Butterfly Footprint, an eco-friendly store.
• Hope Spot Festival achieved its "zero waste" goal.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny. High: 84 Low: 70.

Are you looking to set yourself apart from the crowd of average real estate agents? Our exclusive sponsorship showcases your expertise with targeted messaging that attracts new clients in Dunedin. Click here to see how we can help you stand out in the market.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Dunedin:

1. A small business in Dunedin focuses on eco-friendly gifts, hoping to reduce their impact on the environment. Local artists Stacey and John Schmidt opened Butterfly Footprint in 2020, which sells decor and home goods made of repurposed and upcycled materials. “I wanted to find ways to reuse garbage and make it into something useful," John told Bay News 9. “We need to take care of what we have,” Stacey added. You can visit Butterfly Footprint on Broadway in Downtown Dunedin. (Bay News 9)
2. The City of Dunedin is holding its annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway on April 15, starting at 8 a.m. at Achieva Credit Union Corporate Headquarters. Dunedin residents with proof of residency can receive up to two 3-gallon at no charge. Available trees include American Elms,
   Black Tupelos, Common Persimmons, Dahoon Hollys, and many more. All trees are available on a first-come basis. You can find a complete list of the trees they will be handing out at the link. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
3. Dunedin's first "zero waste" event was a major success! Data shows the recent Hope Spot Festival held in Edgewater Park reached a 97% diversion rate for its generated waste. According to national standards, an event is considered “zero waste” if 90% or more of waste is diverted from landfills. According to the data, only 1.34 pounds of waste went to a landfill, while 40.3 pounds were composted and 4.45 pounds were recycled. (Dunedin Gov)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Want your photo to be included in the Dunedin Pic of the Day or Inspired by Dunedin section? Submit it to Dunedin@Patch.com for consideration! Please confirm in the email that you own the rights to the photo and that Patch has permission to republish it.

Today in Dunedin:

• Dunedin Downtown Market in Pioneer Park (9 a.m.)
• Quilter's Corner at the Hale Senior Activity Center (noon)
• Highland Games Kick-Off Party in Downtown Dunedin (6:30 p.m.)
• Piper on the Pier at the downtown marina (7:45 p.m.) *This event is canceled on April 1*
• Best Of The '90s Party at Paddywagon Irish Pub (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Residents can expect road closures tomorrow evening along Main Street from Grant to Broadway and on Louden Avenue as the city celebrates the Highland Games with a Kick-Off Party. After the Pipe Band March on March 31 at 6:30 p.m., Broadway will be closed to allow people to enjoy the Kick-Off Block Party. Learn more about the event and road closures here. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• The SPCA Tampa Bay is looking for 100 volunteers to help them during the upcoming Pet Walk event on April 15 in either St. Pete or Clearwater. Volunteers will assist staff with setup, greeting, photography, and more. (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• The Dunedin Community Chorus will present its Spring Sing concert on April 2 at 3 p.m. in the Dunedin Community Center. This event is free, but donations are accepted. (Dunedin Gov)
• Don't forget the city's sensory-friendly event for kids between 1 and 8 years old is coming up on April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Dunedin Community Center. Register now for My Kind of Bunny, which creates a relaxed, safe, and accepting environment for kids while they enjoy various Easter activities. (Dunedin Gov)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Flea Market @ Clearwater Lodge (April 1)
• Creative Artist Guild of Dunedin Art in the Park (April 2)
• Scottish American Society Concert with Byrne Brothers and Skerryvore (April 8)
• Illusionist / Magician Jim Monroe (April 8)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.