Two Citrus County projects that are expected to reach approximately 31,000 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants provide up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.
This year the District awarded 38 grants Districtwide for a total of $136,598. This is the 11th year Community Education Grants have been available.
The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the District’s Basin Boards, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in watershed protection through various activities and educational formats.
These Citrus County projects are funded by the District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board and Withlacoochee River Basin Board. The Coastal Rivers Basin Board includes portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. The Withlacoochee River Basin Board includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Marion, Levy, Pasco and Sumter counties.
The Citrus County Department of Water Resources will receive $5,000 for the Water Conservation Metrics project, which will involve mailing data sheets/surveys to measure household water use. The mailing will be sent to 23,000 Citrus County customers. Responses will be used to set base lines and establish goals to reduce water usage in the community. The results will be published in the local newspaper to show the area’s greatest water loss. In addition, specific literature, tools and workshops will be provided based on the responses. The project has the potential to reach 23,000 residents.
The Amy H. Remley Foundation, Inc. will receive $5,000 for the Caves, Sinks and the Floridan Aquifer program. The goal of this program is to teach adult students about the development function and environmental impact of karst landscape features. Students from the Withlacoochee Technical Institute will visit the Withlacoochee River State Forest’s area caves to learn about flora, fauna, geology, hydrology and the purpose of caves. Students will then create signage to educate visitors of Dames Cave. The signs are meant to discourage vandalism and promote water resources stewardship. This progam has the potential to reach 8,000 people.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2009 Community Education Grant Program will begin its application process in June 2008. For more information, please call the District’s Communications Department at 800-423-1476 or 352-796-7211, ext. 4757.