Approximately 200 people will have the opportunity to learn about karst features such as sinkholes, caves and springs, and their relationship to ground water through a Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Hernando County Utilities was awarded the $4,900 grant for a one-day workshop that will teach Hernando County citizens, developers and leaders about the best management practices for living near karst features. Participants can then encourage others to understand and protect their own environments.
The workshop is May 14 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, located at 6131 Commercial Way in Spring Hill.
The project is funded by the District’s Coastal Rivers and the Withlacoochee River Basin Boards. The Coastal Rivers Basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. The Withlacoochee River basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter counties.
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.
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.