A series of workshops aimed at familiarizing seasonal residents of Crystal Springs and Zephyrhills with Florida habitat and Florida-friendly landscape practices will begin March 6 at the Crystal Springs Preserve.
The series of “Welcome to Our Watershed” workshops will encourage residents to take an active role in protecting the portion of the Hillsborough River watershed that travels through their neighborhoods. Participants who complete the workshop series will be invited to join the Crystal Springs Preserve Watershed Watch Club and post a “Watershed Watch Area” sign on their property.
Workshop participants will learn about Florida’s natural systems, the Floridan Aquifer and Crystal Springs. In addition, participants will tour Crystal Springs Preserve, participate in volunteer cleanups and receive an information packet containing watershed awareness and water conservation handouts.
The Crystal Springs Foundation was awarded an $1,800 grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2006 Community Education Grant Program to help fund the workshops. The grant funding comes from the District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board, which includes portions of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. This project expands upon the cooperator’s previous efforts.
For more information about how you can attend the workshops, please contact Karen Pate at (813) 715-9707 or visit the Crystal Springs Preserve web site, crystalspringspreserve.com.