A Sarasota condominium association received statewide recognition for a project it completed with the help of a Southwest Florida Water Management District Community Education Grant.
The Pelican Cove Condominium Association was one of nine condominium and homeowners associations recognized at the Florida Community Association Journal’s Florida Communities of Excellence Awards. The associations were honored for their achievement in addressing the needs and concerns of residents and surrounding communities. This is the first year the awards were presented. The March awards ceremony was held in Tallahassee.
“These communities are making life better for their residents and their communities in spite of the many challenges they are facing today,” said Jim McMurry, publication director for the Florida Community Association Journal. “Other communities across the state can look to the award recipients for examples of best practices they can institute to strengthen their communities.”
In 2008, the Pelican Cove community used a $2,500 grant from the District’s Manasota River Basin Board to complete a project aimed at reducing stormwater pollution in Clower Creek, which drains into Sarasota Bay. The community organized a neighborhood planting, installing aquatic and upland plants along the shorelines of neighborhood ponds. In addition, storm drain skimmer boxes were installed to further reduce harmful runoff.
The Manasota Basin Board includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The Pelican Cove Condominium Association project also received funding from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
“We know this honor would not have happened without your support,” said Ann Spencer, who volunteers on the Pelican Cove Condominium Association Bay & Water Committee.
The Pelican Cove Condominium Association is building upon the success of last year’s grant project. This year the community has applied for and received a $5,000 grant for a water conservation program focusing on fixing leaking faucets and toilets. The condo association believes it can reduce water loss by at least 100,000 gallons a month by educating its residents about water loss through leaky faucets and toilets. Community workshops will be held to teach residents how to check for leaks and how to replace toilet flappers. Staff will also help residents with these tasks and will measure water changes by monitoring the master meter.
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 grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2010 Community Education Grant program will begin its application process in June 2009. For more information, please call the District’s Communications Department at 1-800-423-1476 or 352-796-7211, ext. 4757.