The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized the Hardee Jr. High Water Study as an outstanding water resources education program.
This project taught students about the importance of the Peace River. The project focused on water quality and factors that affect it. The primary water quality studies were turbidity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and nitrate levels and pH. Geographical and geologic topics were also discussed.
The project was one of 52 projects throughout the District that were recognized as an outstanding school, community grant or volunteer program focusing on water resources education. The awardees were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.
To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by teachers 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.
Hardee County is part of the Peace River Basin, which also includes portions of Charlotte, Hardee, Desoto, Highlands, and Polk counties.