TheDeSoto County Parks and Recreation Department will receive a $5,000 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for a three-part environmental education event at Morgan Park in Arcadia.
The event consists of a one-hour educational program, a guided canoe cleanup of the Peace River and the installation of interpretive signs. The event will reduce pollution in the Peace River, as well as teach park visitors about the proper way to dispose of trash so it does not impact the water resources. The event is expected to reach nearly 200 people over the two-day event and has the potential to reach approximately 13,000 people who visit the park each year.
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.
The DeSoto County project is funded by the District’sPeace River Basin Board, which includes portions of Charlotte, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands, and Polk counties.
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 32 grants Districtwide. This is the 12th year Community Education Grants have been available.
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 800-423-1476 or 352-796-7211, ext. 4757.