The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Chris Dewey for his work as the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Builders/Developers Outreach coordinator in Pasco County at a ceremony that recognized outstanding water resources education programs and projects. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.
Dewey has created a unique and beneficial working relationship with builders and developers, focusing on the water conservation benefits of soil moisture sensor systems. He was instrumental in promoting ordinance-variance incentives for developers who install moisture sensor systems in their new communities.
To select the awardees, District staff reviewed school projects funded through the Splash! mini-grant program and grants applied for by community members, local governments and non-profit groups through the community education grant program. District-sponsored programs that use volunteers to educate others about water conservation were also considered.
Many of the District’s grant projects focus on various aspects of all four of the District’s areas of responsibility water supply, water quality, natural systems protection and flood protection.
Portions of Pasco County are represented by each of these District Basin Boards: Coastal Rivers, Hillsborough River, Pinellas-Anclote River and Withlacoochee River.