TheHighlands Soil and Water Conservation District will receive a $4,950 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to talk to homeowner associations about water conservation and rain sensors.
During the presentations, homeowners will also be able to sign up for free rain sensors. The Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District and volunteers will then visit the sites where the rain sensors are installed to ensure that the devices were installed correctly. Follow-up surveys will be conducted to determine the water savings. This project is expected to reach 2,000 people.
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.