Three Manatee County projects expected to reach nearly 5,000 residents were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. 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 38 grants Districtwide for a total of $136,598. This is the 11th year Community Education Grants have been available.
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.
Funding for the following three projects is provided by the Manasota Basin Board. The Manasota Basin includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The Country Creek Homeowners Association will receive $2,500 for a project that involves planting aquatic plants along the shorelines and littoral shelves of the 14 ponds within the neighborhood. The plants will minimize erosion, improve water quality entering and exiting the site and enhance flood protection. Neighborhood volunteers will participate in the plantings and educational seminars. The other residents will learn about the project through the association’s newsletter and web site. This project is expected to reach 650 people.
The Greyhawk Landing CDD will receive $2,500 for a project that involves planting aquatic plants along the shorelines and littoral shelves of neighborhood lakes. The plants will minimize erosion, improve water quality and provide beneficial habitat for wildlife. Residents will participate in the plantings and learn about how they can improve the ecosystem by creating buffer zones and following proper fertilizer practices. This project is expected to reach approximately 2,000 people.
The River Club Homeowners Association will receive $2,500 for a volunteer project that involves planting aquatic plants along the shorelines and littoral shelves of neighborhood lakes. The plants will minimize erosion, improve water quality, enhance flood protection and provide beneficial habitat for wildlife. This project is expected to reach approximately 2,000 people.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2009 Community Education Grant Program will begin its application process in June 2008. For more information, please call the District’s Communications Department at 1-800-423-1476 or 352-796-7211, ext. 4757.