Five Polk County projects expected to reach up to 250,000 people were recently awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.
The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the "District's Basin Boards(Basin Boards)":/about/basinboards/, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in protecting their water resources through various educational activities.
*The City of Winter Haven received a $3,460 grant* to educate the public about Florida-friendly landscapes and promote their installation in neighborhoods. The city will install a demonstration rain garden at its administration office and host educational workshops at the rain garden site. The project received funding from the District's Peace River Basin Board.
*West Bartow Front Porch Revitalization Council, Inc. received a $4,120 grant* to educate East Polk County residents about Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles, water supply and water conservation. Polk County Extension staff will teach the principles at four workshops and Front Porch's annual community celebration. The project received funding from the District's Peace River Basin Board.
*Polk County Extension received a $4,680 grant* to educate homeowners on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles and Polk County FFL programs. The Extension will use workshops and utility bill inserts to educate residents about FFL principles. The project shared funding from the District's Peace River, Hillsborough River and Alafia River basin boards.
*The City of Mulberry Revitalization Task Force received a $4,500 grant* to educate members of the community about how their behaviors affect the watershed. Through educational signs at the Ellis Branch of the Alafia River, visitors will learn about human impacts to water quality and watersheds, how wildlife and organisms depend on clean water and habitat diversity, and how aquatic vegetation cleans water, prevents flooding and provides habitat. The project received funding from the District's Alafia River Basin Board.
*The Winter Haven Heights Neighborhood Association received a $692 grant* to educate local residents about water conservation and rain barrel installation. Association volunteers will conduct a workshop where participants will paint a community rain barrel, which will be installed at the neighborhood park. The project received funding from the District's Peace River Basin Board.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's 2012 Community Education Grant program will begin its application process in June 2011. For more information, visit "WaterMatters.org/communitygrants/":/business/communitygrants.
This year the District approved 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $120,471. This is the 14th year "Community Education Grants(Community Education Grant program)":/business/communitygrants have been available. These grants offer reimbursement up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.
The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the "District's Basin Boards(Basin Boards)":/about/basinboards/, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in protecting their water resources through various educational activities.
*The City of Winter Haven received a $3,460 grant* to educate the public about Florida-friendly landscapes and promote their installation in neighborhoods. The city will install a demonstration rain garden at its administration office and host educational workshops at the rain garden site. The project received funding from the District's Peace River Basin Board.
*West Bartow Front Porch Revitalization Council, Inc. received a $4,120 grant* to educate East Polk County residents about Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles, water supply and water conservation. Polk County Extension staff will teach the principles at four workshops and Front Porch's annual community celebration. The project received funding from the District's Peace River Basin Board.
*Polk County Extension received a $4,680 grant* to educate homeowners on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles and Polk County FFL programs. The Extension will use workshops and utility bill inserts to educate residents about FFL principles. The project shared funding from the District's Peace River, Hillsborough River and Alafia River basin boards.
*The City of Mulberry Revitalization Task Force received a $4,500 grant* to educate members of the community about how their behaviors affect the watershed. Through educational signs at the Ellis Branch of the Alafia River, visitors will learn about human impacts to water quality and watersheds, how wildlife and organisms depend on clean water and habitat diversity, and how aquatic vegetation cleans water, prevents flooding and provides habitat. The project received funding from the District's Alafia River Basin Board.
*The Winter Haven Heights Neighborhood Association received a $692 grant* to educate local residents about water conservation and rain barrel installation. Association volunteers will conduct a workshop where participants will paint a community rain barrel, which will be installed at the neighborhood park. The project received funding from the District's Peace River Basin Board.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's 2012 Community Education Grant program will begin its application process in June 2011. For more information, visit "WaterMatters.org/communitygrants/":/business/communitygrants.
This year the District approved 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $120,471. This is the 14th year "Community Education Grants(Community Education Grant program)":/business/communitygrants have been available. These grants offer reimbursement up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.