Eight Pinellas County projects 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 projects comes from the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board, which includes Pinellas County and a portion of Pasco County.
The Pinellas County Parks & Recreation Department will receive $4,571 for the Taylor Park Lake Enhancement project. This project has the potential to reach more than 681,000 annual visitors to Taylor Park through educational signs and a volunteer community-based lake shoreline planting. The project goals include teaching the community about wetland native plants and natural systems, and the impacts individuals have on water quality in lakes and stormwater systems. In addition, the project will also improve water quality in the area.
The Town of Indian Shores will receive $1,250 for a Florida-friendly landscaping and micro-irrigation education program, which will be conducted by the Pinellas County Extension. Indian Shores residents will learn about Florida-friendly landscaping techniques and will receive a micro-irrigation starter kit for their participation. Approximately 170 people are expected to participate in the program.
The Riviera Bay Civic Association will receive $2,341 for a project aimed at removing Brazilian pepper trees and cleaning up debris from a nearby canal that leads to Riviera and Tampa Bays. In addition to removing the invasive plants at a designated area, residents plan to post signs at storm drains and a nearby boat ramp about how residents can protect the water resources. The project will also improve water quality in the canal and adjacent bays. Approximately 3,000 residents will be reached by this project.
Kayak Nature Adventures will receive $5,000 for a series of “Bring Back the Bayou” cleanups at the Clam Bayou Nature Preserve. Volunteers will have free access to kayaks, trash bags and equipment needed to collect the trash. This project will educate the public about the damage that household waste does to an estuary and the importance of preserving the area. The project will reach at least 3,500 people.
Nature Matters, Inc. will receive $5,000 for a series of cleanups in the area affected by waste and stormwater pollution, including Clam Bayou, Maggiore Creek, Boca Ceiga Bay, Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, South Pasadena, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Cleanups will focus on areas that can be rearched by canoes and kayaks. This project will educate the public about the impact of water pollution and the environment. The project will reach at least 5,000 people.
The City of Safety Harbor will receive $2,500 for the Marshall Street Park “Keep Our Creek Clean” event. The event will include interpretive sessions, learning stations and an education mural showing natural habitats affected by our behaviors. The focus is on watershed issues, water conservation and the protection of wetland habitats. The goal of the event is to educate residents about the importance of our water resources and the simple ways they can make positive changes in protecting the environment. The event will potentially reach 1,000 participants.
The Bartlett Park Neighborhood Association will receive $2,000 for a project aimed at removing invasive plants and cleaning up debris from the nearby Salt Creek. In addition to cleaning up the creek, residents plan to post signs about the mangrove environment and to discourage littering. Approximately 4,000 residents will be reached by this project.
Pinellas Living Green, Inc, will receive $5,000 for the Pinellas Living Green Expo. The environmental education event provides attendees with ideas, resources and information that promote sustainable living through energy and water efficiency. The goal is to motivate attendees to implement water and energy conservation, environmentally friendly landscaping practices and alternative energy sources and green building products. Approximately 7,000 people are expected to attend.
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.