Crea's Quest to Green Gulfport

Crea Romanelli can best be described as a green-loving, Earth-saving, creativity-seeking individual.

This idealist grew up on Shore Acres and furthered her education at St. Pete College and the University of Florida, earning a bachelor’s in landscape architecture. After college, Romanelli joined the Peace Corps.

Crea Romanelli has traveled the world, farming in different cultures. From Africa to Costa Rica, she is an accomplished gardener to say the least. After the Peace Corps, Romanelli lived in Oregon where she began to take mental notes on the progressive state she lived in.

“They didn’t use petroleum at all,” remembers Romanelli. “They would cart all of their stuff to the market with bicycles and it was amazing.”

Romanelli moved back to Gulfport about a year and a half ago. For the past five months, she has been working countless hours to bring an awareness to the community. She is starting a ripple effect that could eventually change the course of every day life for Gulfport residents – for the better, of course.

With passion comes a need to speak out. After attending a city council meeting, Romanelli asked the Mayor about the status of Gulfport’s sustainability. “He professed that Gulfport is a green city,” remembers Romanelli.

A green city is one that takes the environment into consideration, above other things. It is a place whose residents are committed to minimizing the abuse of the Earth itself.

“I’m in love with life and with Earth,” Romanelli admits. As the founder of Peaceful Plate, Romanelli is constantly exploring new ways for folks to go green. She does everything from educational meetings to laying foundations in people’s front yards for gardening. Romanelli also helps people get healthy by designing diet plans.

Romanelli’s latest venture is the “Growing Greener Project.” The goal is to get 1% of Gulfport to be slightly more self-sustained. Whether it’s fixing a leaking hose or planting a crop, going greener can be pretty simple.

1% comes to about 70 homes. Romanelli says they have about 65 to go before the new year, but she thinks it is achievable.

Follow Crea Romanelli on her green quest and get involved since there are always opportunities to help.