The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday declared April “Water Conservation Month.”
By proclaiming April to be Water Conservation Month, the District joined the state Legislature, Tampa Bay Water and dozens of local governments in an effort to call attention to the need for water conservation.
Because April is part of Florida’s dry season, it is a good time to focus on water and how we can conserve more of what we have in the Sunshine State. Although Florida receives an average of 52 inches of rainfall per year, 60 percent of that annual rainfall is from June through September.
This year the District will celebrate water conservation month by participating in a variety of Earth Day events and educational events.
Earth Day celebrations include events at the Riverview Kids Community Center on April 19, McKitrick Elementary School in Tampa on April 21 and Crews Lake Park in Pasco County on April 29.
Staff will also participate in the 6th Annual Suncoast Earth Force Summit at Al Lopez Park in Tampa on April 12.
District staff will speak at two series of educational workshops aimed at helping elected community, county and municipal officials and decision-makers learn more about the issues that impact our water resources.
The water school workshops will take place in Manatee and Polk counties. Topics discussed may include the history of Florida water law and policy, hydrogeology, watershed management, watershed management policies and issues relating to water resources in Florida. Both water school series will kick off in April and run through May. In Manatee County, water school will consist of half-day classes and a one-day tour to Manatee County water management sites. In Polk County, water school will consist of six workshops with field trips.
In addition to staff participation, the water conservation restroom trailer will be at the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival and the Green Thumb Festival in St. Petersburg.
For more information on water conservation, please visit the District’s web site at www.WaterMatters.org.