It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Greektown Historic District gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Tarpon Springs, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Excellent agency, Great bosses and competitive pay, great service with your caregivers”
“We have used Always Best Senior Care many times. Their service has always exceeded our”
“Maria has been the best caregiver I had for in home care from Always Best”
“ABC was a life saver for my family and me. The care givers were all”
“had very good service with wonderful caring workers for my mom”
“Let me start off by saying that Always Best Care is the best home health”
“If you’re looking for care for a loved one, or a job as a caregiver”
“Always best care tarpon Springs office has been a life saver with caring for my”
“Cyndi is an extraordinary caregiver and ABC service has been reliable, responsive and outstanding.”
“I'm a former employee of ABC and I had an awesome experience working with them.”
“I'm a HHA for this company and there amazing people to work for!!”
“Cyndi is an extraordinary caregiver and ABC service has been reliable, responsive and outstanding.”
“I have used Always Best Care for two extended periods. All the staff assigned to”
“Raina King is a true angel, a gift from God. Our beloved Grandmother passed away”
“I love working for for ABC. The owner's are very compassionate about their clients and”
“I’ve worked for Always Best Care going on a year. I love Jeri and Keith,”
“Keith and Jeri are angels that walk among us. My in-laws have been receiving care”
“ABC is a well managed and high quality home health care service. All the workers”
“Always Best Care of Tarpon Springs has given me peace of mind knowing that my”
“Always Best Care of Tarpon Springs has given me peace of mind knowing that my”
“Excellent agency, Great bosses and competitive pay, great service with your caregivers”
“We have used Always Best Senior Care many times. Their service has always exceeded our expectations. I would not hesitate to recommend them. I can not thank them enough for the care and support over the years!”
“Maria has been the best caregiver I had for in home care from Always Best Care in Tarpon Springs for over a year! She helps with the daily task, transportation and food preparation. All around wonderful service and well-trained caregiver. The difference is that she wants to help you, not just there to get paid. Maria is something special and a very good cook. I highly recommend Always Best Care for senior services. (Stephen Loyek)”
“ABC was a life saver for my family and me. The care givers were all fantastic. My step-mom’s final year and days and the quality of her life were certainly enhanced with the help of this awesome company. Everyone at the company, especially Lisa Crase was so helpful and compassionate. They were all here for us at a very difficult time. I would highly recommend this company if you need an easy and flexible care giver situation for a family member. I just really cannot thank ABC for everything they did for us. Nancy Chango, Tampa, FL”
“had very good service with wonderful caring workers for my mom”
“Let me start off by saying that Always Best Care is the best home health company I’ve ever worked for ! The management treats you like family , they are very considerate and understanding & they make sure we are treating our clients like family as well ! They help make sure that we are providing our clients with the best care possible by choosing the best caregiver that fits each client. Also , There is flexible scheduling where you can pick what schedule fits you best. I love this company because they show me every day that I am appreciated it.”
“If you’re looking for care for a loved one, or a job as a caregiver this is the best place. The owners are very hands on, and they service a wide area. I’ve been with the company for years, I’ve seen the work from staff and it’s amazing the way everyone comes together so that every client receives the best possible care.”
“Always best care tarpon Springs office has been a life saver with caring for my mother with dementia. Her caregiver Linda is so dedicated to her job, and my mom and me love her to death. She is very communicative, and passionate about what she does. My mom could not live independently if i did not have always best care and linda by her side. Also whenever speaking with scheduling and office staff- they are always helpful and friendly too! Thanks guys! Yall do amazing work!”
“Cyndi is an extraordinary caregiver and ABC service has been reliable, responsive and outstanding.”
“I'm a former employee of ABC and I had an awesome experience working with them. The office staff is very warm and welcoming. The owners, Keith and Jeri are super nice and personable. They recognize their employees every month, they also have different events where we could get together and socialize. I've learned so much more, that wasn't taught at "school". Not a bad company to work for.”
“I'm a HHA for this company and there amazing people to work for!!”
“Cyndi is an extraordinary caregiver and ABC service has been reliable, responsive and outstanding.”
“I have used Always Best Care for two extended periods. All the staff assigned to take care of my father were excellent and punctual. The office staff are great and have become great friends. I would recommend this company for the care of your family members.”
“Raina King is a true angel, a gift from God. Our beloved Grandmother passed away today and unfortunately we live far away. Raina was in constant communication with us through the entire journey. She gave great comfort to our loved one and we could not have been blessed with a better person to be by Gram’s side. God Bless you and all that you do. ????????❤️ Highly recommend.”
“I love working for for ABC. The owner's are very compassionate about their clients and caregivers. They go above and beyond to help those in need. I have 20+ years in healthcare and I have never worked with such an AMAZING team!”
“I’ve worked for Always Best Care going on a year. I love Jeri and Keith, very understanding. Rebeca, Natalie and Lisa, Also in the office, all listen to our needs and concerns. They are very understanding to all the caregivers, I feel like a big family with our clients. Working for this company is like having a very big extended family and I love it and would not give it up. And yes I would definitely and highly recommend Always Best Care of Tarpon Springs Florida. The extended family that I don’t have, but I do now. Thank you for letting me be a part of Always Best Care of Tarpon Springs Florida.”
“Keith and Jeri are angels that walk among us. My in-laws have been receiving care from Always Best since May 2019. They are in their 90’s and still in their own home. This has been a year of challenges as my mother-in-law has dementia and my father-in-law’s health has gotten more tenuous. Keith has taken my dad to the hospital and urgent care, grocery shopped for them and scrambled to provide aides on short notice after hospitalization. We live out of state and I have had to depend on them so much. Jeri and Keith go above and beyond and I trust them implicitly! I can’t say enough good about them and I know that they will be successful because they are ethical, caring and operate their business with the highest degree of integrity. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been referred to them.”
“ABC is a well managed and high quality home health care service. All the workers have been consistently good and provide excellent care for our father. Rebeca has been awesome to ensure our needs are satisfied and that we always have the round the clock coverage we need.”
“Always Best Care of Tarpon Springs has given me peace of mind knowing that my mom is in good hands. She enjoys their services and I highly recommend them! Thank you for your love and kindness.”
“Always Best Care of Tarpon Springs has given me peace of mind knowing that my mom is in good hands. She enjoys their services and I highly recommend them!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting A.L. Anderson Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Bistro or visit Safford House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Tarpon Springs, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Tarpon Springs, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Tarpon Springs, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The historic Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs will once again come alive with creativity and community spirit as the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival returns Saturday May 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presented by The Tarpon Springs Merchant's Association, and produced by SIK Promotions, Inc. , this annual summer tradition features a curated showcase of handmade arts and crafts, unique gifts, and artisan goods from regional and national makers.Admission is...
The historic Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs will once again come alive with creativity and community spirit as the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival returns Saturday May 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presented by The Tarpon Springs Merchant's Association, and produced by SIK Promotions, Inc. , this annual summer tradition features a curated showcase of handmade arts and crafts, unique gifts, and artisan goods from regional and national makers.
Admission is free to the public. The event is both family-friendly and pet-friendly.
Guests are invited to stroll along Dodecanese Boulevard and explore a vibrant selection of unique arts and crafts, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, home décor, photography, specialty foods, and more—while enjoying the waterfront charm and culinary offerings of the Sponge Docks.
“The Sponge Docks Craft Festival is more than just a craft show—it’s a celebration of community and creativity,” said Suzanne King, owner of SIK Promotions. “Events like this not only give artists a chance to connect directly with shoppers but also support the cultural and economic vitality of the Tarpon Sponge Docka. We’re proud to bring visitors and locals together in such a special setting.”
The festival provides a valuable platform for local and traveling artisans to display and sell their work while attracting thousands of visitors to the area, boosting tourism and small businesses in Tarpon Springs.
Vendor Information
Artists and crafters interested in exhibiting must apply through the official SIK Promotions website. No third-party or email applications will be accepted.Apply online: www.sikpromotions.com/applicants/summer/july-12-13-sponge-docks-art-craft-festival
Event Details
What: Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft FestivalWhen: Saturday & Sunday, July 12–13, 2025 Where: 735 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689Admission: FREE | Family- and Pet-Friendly
Artist Christopher Still is known for his love of history and for representing Florida’s natural heritage across portraits, murals, landscapes and still life.He’s painted the portraits of important people, like the late governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles.And if you pass through Tampa International Airport, Airside C, you may see his sculpture "q" and his painting, “Final Boarding Call” that hints at TPA’s history. Or maybe you missed that painting as you scrambled through security, trying...
Artist Christopher Still is known for his love of history and for representing Florida’s natural heritage across portraits, murals, landscapes and still life.
He’s painted the portraits of important people, like the late governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles.
And if you pass through Tampa International Airport, Airside C, you may see his sculpture "q" and his painting, “Final Boarding Call” that hints at TPA’s history. Or maybe you missed that painting as you scrambled through security, trying not to lose sight of your luggage.
Many of Still’s works are in private collections. But if you’ve been to Tampa Bay History Center lately, you’ve probably seen his painting of the very early days of Florida, in the canoe exhibition. It’s called “In Ages Past.”
He was also commissioned to paint 10 murals representing Florida history. These paintings hang in the Florida House of Representatives. They represent the state’s history from the time of indigenous peoples to the Spanish conquistadores to the undersea beauty that can be found beneath the Seven-Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys.
If you look inside one of Still’s paintings, you can see objects or creatures that represent Florida’s past. Perhaps a mastodon tooth or the kind of longhorn cattle that was once the dominant cattle breed in the state. The beauty is in the detail.
Still is a member of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2010, and at 49, he was the youngest person to ever earn the distinction.
He’ll be talking about his works as part of “Tarpon Talks” at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum on May 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nine of his original works are part of the “Great State of Florida” exhibition.
A 7-1/2 foot great white shark was caught on video by Florida Fish and Wildlife biologists off the Florida coast.It was a "rare but thrilling sighting" for FWC scientists, the video's narrator says.The juvenile white shark, estimated to be 13 years old, was filmed about 50 miles offshore of Tarpon Springs as ...
A 7-1/2 foot great white shark was caught on video by Florida Fish and Wildlife biologists off the Florida coast.
It was a "rare but thrilling sighting" for FWC scientists, the video's narrator says.
The juvenile white shark, estimated to be 13 years old, was filmed about 50 miles offshore of Tarpon Springs as FWC Fisheries-Independent Monitoring biologists conducted video surveys for the Gulf Fishery Independent Survey of Habitat and Ecosystem Resources. The group was using stereo-baited remote underwater video to record a 360-degree view of reef fish and nearby habitat, FWC wrote in a Facebook post.
Biologists identify, count and measure fish from over 1,000 videos collected each summer from natural and artificial reef habitats.
It's not uncommon for great white sharks to be in Florida waters.
North Atlantic great white sharks are known to leave their summer feeding grounds off Atlantic Canada and New England to head as far south as Florida and the Gulf, for warmer waters and more abundant food sources.
Here's what to know about great white sharks in Florida:
Yes. North Atlantic great white sharks are known to leave their summer feeding grounds off Atlantic Canada and New England to head as far south as Florida and the Gulf, for warmer waters and more abundant food sources.
Experts from OCEARCH, a shark advocacy group, said during the warmer months, these apex predators take advantage of the abundant seal populations and rich prey resources found in these areas. As temperatures drop and food sources dwindle, great white sharks are triggered by a combination of decreasing water temperatures and changes in daylight hours, prompting their southward migration.
Great white sharks are found in every ocean, though they stay away from the colder waters of Antarctica and the Arctic.
They can be found around Florida's coast, from the state's east coast to the Gulf.
There's no absolute data on the global population of white sharks and estimates vary widely – from 3,000 to over 10,000.
According to NOAA Fisheries:
According to NOAA Fisheries, white sharks have a diverse and opportunistic diet of fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals.
Juvenile white sharks mainly eat bottom fish, smaller sharks and rays, schooling fish and squids.
Larger white sharks often gather around seal and sea lion colonies to feed and also occasionally scavenge dead whales.
Florida is once again tops in the world for the number of unprovoked shark bites, even as the overall number of attacks declined in 2024.
An annual report by the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) shows 47 confirmed unprovoked shark bites globally, significantly lower than the average 64 annually over the previous five years.
The U.S. had the most bites at 28 compared to 36 bites in 2023, for 60% of the world's cases.
The Sunshine State racked up 14 confirmed bites, versus 19 in 2023, along its coastline, none of which were fatal. That's 30% of worldwide attacks.
Volusia County had the most shark bites with eight, more than half of the state total, and in line with the county's five-year annual average of nine.
Published April 10|Updated April 11Pinellas County has bought a 14-acre preserve near Tarpon Springs following a conservation campaign led by neighbors who fought to save it from development.West Klosterman Preserve is home to Florida scrub habitat, one of the rarest ecosystems in the country, and supports more than 60 endangered plants and animals native to the state....
Published April 10|Updated April 11
Pinellas County has bought a 14-acre preserve near Tarpon Springs following a conservation campaign led by neighbors who fought to save it from development.
West Klosterman Preserve is home to Florida scrub habitat, one of the rarest ecosystems in the country, and supports more than 60 endangered plants and animals native to the state.
It will be incorporated into Mariner Point Management Area, a 76-acre environmental restoration area owned by the county. The purchase conserves contiguous habitat that is increasingly rare in a state being carved up by development. Combining the properties is important to wildlife — including dozens of threatened gopher tortoises — that roam both parcels.
WK Preservation Group, a nonprofit that has fought to purchase the slice of wild Florida threatened by developers, raised the final $1.5 million needed to assure the land would be protected.
Tex Carter, their president, said several anonymous large donors pushed them to the finish line.
“I think the success is really due to a lot of people recognizing how natural habitat is threatened and going away in Pinellas County and latching on to the idea that here’s one (property) that we can do,” he said. “They could see we were on a path to success, and so a number of people stepped up with five- and six-figure numbers.”
After the group met its fundraising goal in December, the county entered into a contract to acquire the preserve from the Pinellas County school board for $3 million. The school district has owned the empty West Klosterman land since the 1990s and will put all the money from the sale toward school infrastructure and facility projects.
Closing the deal, which had been negotiated over five years, was not without hiccups.
In 2020, Carter’s group stepped in to stop the sale of the land to condo developers.
Responding to concerned neighbors, the school district sat on its offer from developers, giving Carter’s group time to gather private donations and seek help from Florida lawmakers. In 2022, the state Legislature approved all $3 million for the purchase, but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it.
Residents then secured $2.5 million from a legislative budget commission, which gave money to hundreds of projects sponsored by lawmakers following the governor’s vetoes.
When DeSantis didn’t distribute those funds to state agencies by the deadline, the West Klosterman grant disappeared, Carter said.
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The nonprofit’s luck turned around in August 2023, when county officials pledged $1.5 million through Penny for Pinellas funds, halving the amount the group needed to raise. Racing against a September fundraising goal and with neighbors short of their own $1.5 million needed for the sale, the district allowed them more time.
Carter said he was grateful to the school district for its patience.
“They could have gone to a developer. They could have made this deal the first year and instead, they recognized the value of the preservation property,” he added.
Pinellas County celebrated the purchase in a news release Thursday and thanked Carter’s group for “exemplifying the power of community collaboration in achieving environmental goals.?"
“This is yet another example of Pinellas County collaborating with its residents to set aside vital land for future generations,” said Paul Cozzie, Pinellas County’s parks and conservation resources director, in the release.
Like neighboring Mariner Point, West Klosterman Preserve will be closed to the public for now and strictly set aside for habitat preservation.
“This status ensures the protection of its diverse ecosystems and the species that inhabit them,” the release states.
Carter, who sits on the county’s parks and conservation resources advisory board, has big plans for the site.
Once the county has removed invasive species and begun controlled burns to return the overgrown lot to its natural state, he’d like to see a trail snaking through the preserve that highlights flora and fauna that are endemic to the state, such as Florida rosemary, should the site become a park in the future. The rare plant is tucked at the end of the preserve’s overgrown path and would be the centerpiece of a future park.
“Development is making all of the good natural habitat that’s worth preserving disappear,” Carter said. “So many people who maybe would not have gone out of their way for an environmental preservation project adopted this one because it was such an obvious good idea.”
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