Three Marion County projects expected to reach up to 11,000 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.
Funding for the following three projects is provided by the District's "Withlacoochee River Basin Board(Withlacoochee River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/withlacoochee.php. The Withlacoochee River basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter counties.
The *Marion Soil and Water Conservation District* received a $5,000 grant to educate equine enthusiasts on manure management, fertilization techniques and water conservation practices. Participants will learn how good management will benefit wetlands, watersheds, springs and the aquifer.
The *Marion County Extension office* received a $5,000 grant for Plant-It Earth Week April 19–24 at the Extension and other locations throughout the county. A registered landscape architect will give Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, rain barrel and micro-irrigation classes during this weeklong event. Other activities include native plant walks, green programs, workshops for indoor water and energy conservation, and tours of Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program recognized yards.
*Rainbow River Conservation* received a $2,700 grant to teach the public the value of submerged and emergent vegetation. This project will develop materials to teach the public the value of this vegetation and guidelines that will allow river recreation without destroying vegetation. Brochures will be placed in display cases at state, county and city river access points, the public library and outfitter locations that service the Rainbow River. A DVD will be distributed to booth visitors at two events. Posters will be placed at river access points.
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.
Funding for the following three projects is provided by the District's "Withlacoochee River Basin Board(Withlacoochee River Basin Board)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/basinboards/withlacoochee.php. The Withlacoochee River basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter counties.
The *Marion Soil and Water Conservation District* received a $5,000 grant to educate equine enthusiasts on manure management, fertilization techniques and water conservation practices. Participants will learn how good management will benefit wetlands, watersheds, springs and the aquifer.
The *Marion County Extension office* received a $5,000 grant for Plant-It Earth Week April 19–24 at the Extension and other locations throughout the county. A registered landscape architect will give Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, rain barrel and micro-irrigation classes during this weeklong event. Other activities include native plant walks, green programs, workshops for indoor water and energy conservation, and tours of Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program recognized yards.
*Rainbow River Conservation* received a $2,700 grant to teach the public the value of submerged and emergent vegetation. This project will develop materials to teach the public the value of this vegetation and guidelines that will allow river recreation without destroying vegetation. Brochures will be placed in display cases at state, county and city river access points, the public library and outfitter locations that service the Rainbow River. A DVD will be distributed to booth visitors at two events. Posters will be placed at river access points.
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.