Eight Hillsborough County projects expected to reach more than 175,000 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org. 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 "35 grants Districtwide(2010 Community Education Grant Projects)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants/projects.php for a total of $144,052. This is the 13th year Community Education Grants have been available.
The overall goal of the "Community Education Grant Program(Community Education Grant Program)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants 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 educational activities. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.
The following project received funding from the District's "Alafia River(Alafia River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/alafia.php Basin Board. The Alafia River Basin includes the southern half of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County.
The *FishHawk Ranch Homeowners Association* received a $4,400 grant to educate residents on lowering their water use and how it benefits the environment. The association will hold workshops on water-efficient landscaping, water conservation, protecting the environment and building rain barrels. The first workshop will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. April 11 at the FishHawk Ranch Palmetto Club. Attendees will receive free water-saving devices, while supplies last. The community newsletter web site will also carry educational articles.
The following two projects received funding from the District's "Hillsborough River(Hillsborough River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/hillsborough.php Basin Board. The Hillsborough River Basin includes portions of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.
The *Hillsborough County Extension office* received a $5,000 grant to provide examples of sustainable landscape design, resource-efficient plant choices, and water and energy conservation measures. Three fire stations will serve as pilots for Mayor Pam Iorio's "green" initiative. Each site will showcase drought-tolerant plants, a sustainable landscape and irrigation techniques. The fire stations will provide learning opportunities for home gardeners, landscape professionals, and local and regional leaders on design, planting and maintenance practices.
The *Sustany Foundation* received a $4,700 grant to help support Tampa Clean City Day on March 20 by organizing and sponsoring multiple educational activities. Attendees participated in information sharing, seminars and demonstrations by experts on the relationships between the river, the environment and the effects of pollution on natural systems and water quality in the city of Tampa.
The following three projects received funding from the District's "Alafia River(Alafia River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/alafia.php and "Hillsborough River(Hillsborough River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/hillsborough.php basin boards.
The *Hillsborough County Extension office* received a $2,100 grant to educate the local public and commercial tree and landscape professionals on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ practices, low-volume irrigation, reclaimed water, plant selection, water availability and restrictions, and impacts of landscape practices on pollution in local water bodies.
The *Cockroach Bay Users Group* received a $4,400 grant to educate the public about the negative impacts of discarding fishing materials into surrounding waters. Posters will be displayed at boat launch ramps and will focus on using recycled containers (potato chip tubes, butter tubs, etc.) for collection of fishing line, soda cans, and similar discarded materials used in boats, on piers and shore areas. Schools, Scouts, and organizations who would like to donate containers or assist with the project should contact the users group at c.bug09@tampabay.rr.com.
The *Manatee Viewing Center* received a $5,000 grant to educate visitors on the importance of mangrove habitats. Through an interpretive display, visitors will learn about mangroves' role in storm protection, animal habitats and the food chain, as well as ways to protect these coastline habitats. The exhibit is a fabricated red mangrove that will incorporate composite marine and terrestrial creatures, plants and birds. Video games will teach mangrove habitat facts.
The following project received funding from the District's "Alafia River(Alafia River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/alafia.php, "Manasota(Manasota Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/manasota.php, and "Peace River(Peace River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/peace.php basin boards. The Manasota Basin includes Manatee and Sarasota counties. The Peace River Basin includes Hardee, DeSoto, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Polk counties.
The *Range Cattle Research and Education Center* received a $5,000 grant to offer free soil and tissue testing and educational materials to regional beef and forage producers. Reductions in the amount of fertilizer applied to pastures could decrease pollution of surface and groundwater resources in ecologically sensitive areas in west-central Florida. If you are a rancher who would like to participate in the project, please contact Reyna Speckman, range cattle station Extension specialist, at (863) 735-1314.
The following project received funding from the District's "Coastal Rivers(Coastal Rivers Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/coastal.php, "Hillsborough River(Hillsborough River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/hillsborough.php, "Manasota(Manasota Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/manasota.php and "Pinellas-Anclote River(Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/pinellas-anclote.php basin boards. The Coastal Rivers Basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. The Pinellas-Anclote River Basin includes Pinellas County and a portion of Pasco County.
*Kayak Nature Adventures* received a $5,000 grant to organize manatee habitat "spring cleaning" at six locations: two at Weeki Wachee in Hernando County, two at Terra Ceia in Manatee County, and one each at Clam Bayou and Bear Creek in Pinellas County. Volunteers will be provided free access to kayaks, a guide, trash bags and equipment needed to collect the trash. This project will educate the public about the damage household waste and polluted runoff have on their quality of life and manatee habitat. For more information and participant registration, please visit http://kayaknature.com.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's 2011 Community Education Grant program will "begin its application process in June 2010(2011 Grant Dates)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants/dates.php. For more information, please call the District's Communications Department at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4757.
This year the District awarded "35 grants Districtwide(2010 Community Education Grant Projects)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants/projects.php for a total of $144,052. This is the 13th year Community Education Grants have been available.
The overall goal of the "Community Education Grant Program(Community Education Grant Program)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants 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 educational activities. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.
The following project received funding from the District's "Alafia River(Alafia River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/alafia.php Basin Board. The Alafia River Basin includes the southern half of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County.
The *FishHawk Ranch Homeowners Association* received a $4,400 grant to educate residents on lowering their water use and how it benefits the environment. The association will hold workshops on water-efficient landscaping, water conservation, protecting the environment and building rain barrels. The first workshop will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. April 11 at the FishHawk Ranch Palmetto Club. Attendees will receive free water-saving devices, while supplies last. The community newsletter web site will also carry educational articles.
The following two projects received funding from the District's "Hillsborough River(Hillsborough River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/hillsborough.php Basin Board. The Hillsborough River Basin includes portions of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.
The *Hillsborough County Extension office* received a $5,000 grant to provide examples of sustainable landscape design, resource-efficient plant choices, and water and energy conservation measures. Three fire stations will serve as pilots for Mayor Pam Iorio's "green" initiative. Each site will showcase drought-tolerant plants, a sustainable landscape and irrigation techniques. The fire stations will provide learning opportunities for home gardeners, landscape professionals, and local and regional leaders on design, planting and maintenance practices.
The *Sustany Foundation* received a $4,700 grant to help support Tampa Clean City Day on March 20 by organizing and sponsoring multiple educational activities. Attendees participated in information sharing, seminars and demonstrations by experts on the relationships between the river, the environment and the effects of pollution on natural systems and water quality in the city of Tampa.
The following three projects received funding from the District's "Alafia River(Alafia River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/alafia.php and "Hillsborough River(Hillsborough River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/hillsborough.php basin boards.
The *Hillsborough County Extension office* received a $2,100 grant to educate the local public and commercial tree and landscape professionals on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ practices, low-volume irrigation, reclaimed water, plant selection, water availability and restrictions, and impacts of landscape practices on pollution in local water bodies.
The *Cockroach Bay Users Group* received a $4,400 grant to educate the public about the negative impacts of discarding fishing materials into surrounding waters. Posters will be displayed at boat launch ramps and will focus on using recycled containers (potato chip tubes, butter tubs, etc.) for collection of fishing line, soda cans, and similar discarded materials used in boats, on piers and shore areas. Schools, Scouts, and organizations who would like to donate containers or assist with the project should contact the users group at c.bug09@tampabay.rr.com.
The *Manatee Viewing Center* received a $5,000 grant to educate visitors on the importance of mangrove habitats. Through an interpretive display, visitors will learn about mangroves' role in storm protection, animal habitats and the food chain, as well as ways to protect these coastline habitats. The exhibit is a fabricated red mangrove that will incorporate composite marine and terrestrial creatures, plants and birds. Video games will teach mangrove habitat facts.
The following project received funding from the District's "Alafia River(Alafia River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/alafia.php, "Manasota(Manasota Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/manasota.php, and "Peace River(Peace River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/peace.php basin boards. The Manasota Basin includes Manatee and Sarasota counties. The Peace River Basin includes Hardee, DeSoto, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Polk counties.
The *Range Cattle Research and Education Center* received a $5,000 grant to offer free soil and tissue testing and educational materials to regional beef and forage producers. Reductions in the amount of fertilizer applied to pastures could decrease pollution of surface and groundwater resources in ecologically sensitive areas in west-central Florida. If you are a rancher who would like to participate in the project, please contact Reyna Speckman, range cattle station Extension specialist, at (863) 735-1314.
The following project received funding from the District's "Coastal Rivers(Coastal Rivers Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/coastal.php, "Hillsborough River(Hillsborough River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/hillsborough.php, "Manasota(Manasota Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/manasota.php and "Pinellas-Anclote River(Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/pinellas-anclote.php basin boards. The Coastal Rivers Basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. The Pinellas-Anclote River Basin includes Pinellas County and a portion of Pasco County.
*Kayak Nature Adventures* received a $5,000 grant to organize manatee habitat "spring cleaning" at six locations: two at Weeki Wachee in Hernando County, two at Terra Ceia in Manatee County, and one each at Clam Bayou and Bear Creek in Pinellas County. Volunteers will be provided free access to kayaks, a guide, trash bags and equipment needed to collect the trash. This project will educate the public about the damage household waste and polluted runoff have on their quality of life and manatee habitat. For more information and participant registration, please visit http://kayaknature.com.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's 2011 Community Education Grant program will "begin its application process in June 2010(2011 Grant Dates)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants/dates.php. For more information, please call the District's Communications Department at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4757.