Key Takeaways from Egmont Key Ferry Trip

The St. Pete Chamber organized The State of the Island trip in May 2025, a collaborative forum designed to assess the current conditions, share updates, and establish a clear path forward for the island’s restoration and future stewardship.  Stakeholders in attendance included representatives from state and federal elected official offices, University of South Florida, Florida Fish & Wildlife, Tampa Bay Pilots Association, US Coast Guard and more.

Here are some key action items following our trip:

1. Environmental Recovery & Resilience
* Strengthen Monitoring and Enforcement
* Improve inter-agency coordination to monitor erosion, wildlife nesting, and unauthorized activity.
* Deploy personnel across agencies for enforcement and early response.
* Secure Federal and State Recovery Funds
* Mobilize support for accessing HUD grants and historic preservation funding.
* Track public comment process for Hillsborough HUD dollars and ensure Chamber stakeholders weigh in.
* Explore funding options with the help of elected officials and grant experts.

2. Cultural and Historical Preservation
* Protect the Historic Harbor Pilot Site
* Investigate and clarify deed/ownership and liability issues.
* Seek financial support for restoration and legal protections.
* Research Historic Preservation Opportunities
* Identify matching grant options or tax credits for rebuilding historic structures on the island.

3. Ecotourism, Education & Business Engagement
* Launch Environmental and Educational Tourism Initiatives
* Create lighthouse tours, wildlife education programs, and accessibility improvements.
* Incorporate regenerative tourism, voluntourism, and local storytelling.
* Leverage USF Pilot App for Ecotourism
* Utilize or expand existing digital tools to engage tourists and volunteers responsibly.
* Partner with Business Community
* Develop sustainable tourism partnerships.
* Identify roles for local hospitality providers in long-term stewardship.

4. Strategic Coordination and Policy Advocacy
* Compile environmental, historical, and ownership data in one platform to inform action.
* Use the database to mobilize for fast-tracked recovery projects.
* Advocate for Long-Term Resilience Policies
* Work with Senators (e.g., Ashley Moody, Senator Boyd) and local leaders to elevate Egmont Key as a regional resilience priority.
* Align Egmont’s needs with larger city and county resilience planning (e.g., compare with Davis Island).

Check out this page for more ways to get involved with Chamber advocacy committees and events: www.stpete.com/advocacy.