Location · Pathways 2027

Welcome to St. Petersburg, Florida

A waterfront city on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and one of the country’s busiest hubs for fish and wildlife science.

A natural home for Pathways

Pathways 2027 comes to St. Petersburg, a waterfront city on Florida’s Gulf Coast set on a peninsula between the Gulf and Tampa Bay. The surrounding St. Pete-Clearwater area (Pinellas County) offers 35 miles of white-sand beaches, along with festivals, markets, sports, museums, a lively arts scene and great dining (Visit St. Pete-Clearwater).

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, FWC’s research division, is based in downtown St. Petersburg and supports field labs and offices statewide. Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest open-water estuary, nearly 400 square miles bordering Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties. Alongside USF’s College of Marine Science, the city hosts the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal Science Center, NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Office and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

Florida, by the Numbers

Florida is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife, habitats and people.

700+

terrestrial animals

200+

freshwater fish species

1,000+

marine fish species

4,000+

native species, 369 of them endemic, found nowhere else

80+

distinct ecosystems

11M

acres of freshwater, including 7,800+ lakes and 1,700+ rivers

8,436

miles of tidal shoreline, second only to Alaska

1,000+

freshwater springs, possibly the largest concentration on Earth

first-magnitude springs, more than any other state

~23.5M

residents, and growing!

As the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission puts it

“These multitudes of species are dependent upon the highly productive natural habitats of Florida, ranging from the tropical coral reefs of the Keys and the magnificent Everglades ‘river of grass’ to the awe-inspiring array of first-magnitude springs and the quiet beauty of the rolling sandhills.”

Sharing all of this with more than 23 million residents and millions of visitors makes Florida a living laboratory for the human dimensions of wildlife.

Getting Here and Getting Around

By air

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the main gateway, about 21 miles (roughly 25 minutes) from St. Petersburg. Taxis, Uber, Lyft, and SuperShuttle serve the area.

The PSTA 727 Airport Express is a new limited-stop bus between TPA and downtown St. Pete, running 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily with luggage racks on board. The one-way fare is $2.25.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is a smaller airport in mid-Pinellas County, closer to downtown St. Pete.

By train

Amtrak serves Tampa Union Station, with Amtrak Thruway buses connecting to Pinellas Park-St. Petersburg.

By car

St. Pete is reachable via I-75 and I-95.

To reach campus from I-275, take exit 22 onto I-175, continue onto 5th Ave S, turn right on 3rd St S, then left on 6th Ave S.

Visitor parking is in the Fifth Street Parking Facility on campus. Single-day permits are sold at the machine on the first level by the elevators.

Getting around St. Petersburg

Downtown LooperA free trolley and electric bus circulating downtown every 15 to 20 minutes, seven days a week, with a stop at the USF St. Petersburg campus.

Central Avenue TrolleyFree service along Central Avenue between the St. Pete Pier and Grand Central.

SunRunnerRapid bus from downtown to St. Pete Beach in about 35 minutes, with a stop by the campus garage at 6th Ave S and 3rd St S every 15 minutes. The standard fare is $2.25.

PSTA busesRoutes cover all of Pinellas County.

Bike shareLime e-bikes are available downtown through the Lime app.

Ferry to TampaA new year-round Tampa Bay Ferry between downtown St. Pete and downtown Tampa is expected to launch by the end of 2026!

The venue

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Pathways 2027 will be hosted at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, set on 52 waterfront acres along Bayboro Harbor in the heart of downtown St. Pete.

The campus sits on a calm harbor of Tampa Bay, with a boat dock, kayaks, and paddleboards. The campus is part of USF, a top-50 public university recently invited to join the Association of American Universities. Students head out on research vessels into the Gulf, and USF is building a new Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching Facility on campus, focused on hurricanes, storm surge, and sea level rise.

Campus address: 140 7th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 · 727-873-4873

Recommendations While You’re Here

Natural areas

Fort De Soto ParkCounty park spread across multiple islands, known for its white sand beaches and 19th-century fort.

Weedon Island PreservePaddling and boardwalks through mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems. The on-site Cultural and Natural History Center has exhibits on local Indigenous history and regional ecology.

Pinellas TrailA greenway from downtown St. Petersburg all the way to Tarpon Springs along a former railroad corridor.

Boyd Hill Nature PreserveA tranquil sanctuary along Lake Maggiore where you can spot birds, tortoises, butterflies, and alligators.

St. Pete BeachWhether you want a relaxing beach day or active water sports, this is the spot.

Sunken GardensA vibrant, immersive botanical garden for exploring local flora.

Sawgrass Lake ParkSpot alligators, turtles, armadillos, and wading birds on short boardwalk trails through the swamp.

Coffee Pot ParkKnown locally as a great spot to view marine wildlife, including manatees.

Things to do

Art · WaterfrontThe Dalí MuseumOne of the largest collections of Salvador Dalí’s work outside Europe, in a striking glass-and-concrete building on the bay, a short walk from USF St. Petersburg.

Glass art · Central AveChihuly CollectionA permanent collection of Dale Chihuly’s large-scale glass installations. Tickets include a live glassblowing demo at the Morean Glass Studio across the street.

Glassblowing · Central AveMorean Glass StudioWatch resident artists shape molten glass in the hot shop, or book a hands-on session to make a piece of your own.

Waterfront · DowntownSt. Pete PierA 26-acre waterfront destination with restaurants, shops, a splash pad, a fishing deck, a marine discovery center and views across Tampa Bay.

Marine rescue · Clearwater BeachClearwater Marine AquariumA working marine rescue, rehabilitation and release center about 40 minutes north of St. Pete. See rescued dolphins, sea turtles, otters and manatees, and watch the animal hospital at work.

Pro soccer · Al Lang StadiumTampa Bay RowdiesSt. Pete’s USL Championship soccer club plays at Al Lang Stadium on the downtown waterfront. The regular season wraps up in October, so check the schedule for any November playoff home games.

Food & drink

Seafood · WaterfrontFresco’s Waterfront BistroCasual seafood and bay views on the downtown waterfront, near the entrance to the St. Pete Pier.

Caribbean · St. Pete PierDoc Ford’s Rum Bar & GrilleIsland-inspired plates and rum drinks right on the Pier, with indoor and patio seating over the bay.

Rooftop · St. Pete PierTeakA fourth-floor restaurant and bar at the Pier with sweeping views of Tampa Bay. A good pick for sunset.

Upscale · Beach DriveJuno & The PeacockPolished American and seafood dishes, craft cocktails and weekend brunch on Beach Drive.

Mexican · Near campusRed Mesa CantinaModern Mexican with a leafy courtyard, a short walk from USF St. Petersburg.

Cuban · Central AveBodega on CentralCounter-service Cuban sandwiches, rice bowls and fresh juices. Quick, filling and a local favorite.

Old Florida · Short driveTed Peters Famous Smoked FishA decades-old institution known for fish smoked over red oak and its smoked fish spread. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Market · SaturdaysSaturday Morning MarketLocal farmers, food stalls, artisans and live music downtown on Saturday mornings.

Brewery · Edge DistrictGreen Bench BrewingOne of St. Pete’s original craft breweries, with a big shaded beer garden.

Brewery · Warehouse Arts District3 Daughters BrewingA large, lively taproom with live music, games and food, plus cider and seltzer for non-beer drinkers.

Brewery · DowntownSt. Pete Brewing CompanyA relaxed downtown taproom pouring its own beers, easy to reach on foot.

Coffee · DowntownParadeco Coffee RoastersLocally roasted coffee plus breakfast and juices, a block from the waterfront.

Tours & activities

Dolphin cruises · Clearwater & St. Pete BeachStarLite CruisesFamily-owned since 1986, with dolphin-watching, sightseeing and dining cruises. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed on their dolphin tours.

Fishing · DowntownYACHTFISH Fishing ChartersPrivate inshore and deep-sea charters from the downtown St. Pete marina, from four-hour trips to full days.

Fishing · St. Pete BeachDolphin Landings Charter Boat CenterA St. Pete Beach charter center running since 1975, with several boats for larger groups.

Paddling · Coffee Pot BayouDoo’s Amazing ToursGuided two-hour paddleboard tours where you may spot dolphins, manatees and dozens of bird species, plus mangrove kayak, Segway and bike tours.

Walking tour · SaturdaysSt. Pete Walking Mural TourThe stories behind 30+ murals in the Central Arts District. Saturdays at 10 a.m. from Florida CraftArt; book by 4 p.m. the day before.

Museum · Wildlife artThe James Museum of Western Art & WildlifeDowntown galleries showcasing art of the American West and its wildlife.

Museum · WaterfrontThe Dalí MuseumThe most comprehensive collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside Europe, on the downtown waterfront.

Glass art · Central AveChihuly CollectionA permanent gallery of Dale Chihuly’s glass, presented by the Morean Arts Center, with a glassblowing hot shop across the street.

Save with the FunShine Savings Passport. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater’s free mobile pass offers nearly 100 deals on museums, tours, dining and more, including the Dalí Museum, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and StarLite Cruises. No app needed: sign up and the pass arrives by text and email. Get the FunShine Passport

Brought to You By

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Colorado State University, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

University of South Florida St. Petersburg