The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Kristen Russell-Milford, an Inverness Primary School teacher, for her students’ outstanding water resources education project. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.
Through Russell-Milford’s project, “Water is Part of the Solution,” Inverness Primary School students learned about Florida-friendly landscaping and how it impacts water quality.
The students learned about the proper use and maintenance of native plants by incorporating Florida-friendly landscaping techniques and set up an organic composting center. They also took field trips to the Crystal River State Park, St. Martins Marsh and the Buffer Preserve to conduct water quality testing.
The students then communicated the importance of preserving and protecting water resources by creating brochures and fliers offering water conservation tips. These materials were distributed to local government officials, recreation agencies, community members and parents.
To select the awardees, District staff reviewed school projects funded through the Splash! mini-grant program and grants applied for by community members, local governments and non-profit groups through the community education grant program. District-sponsored programs that use volunteers to educate others about water conservation were also considered.
Many of the District’s grant projects focus on various aspects of all four of the District’s areas of responsibility water supply, water quality, natural systems protection and flood protection.
Inverness is located within the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin, which includes portions of Pasco, Sumter, Hernando, Citrus, Marion, and Levy counties.