Five Polk County projects that are expected to reach approximately 27,100 residents were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. 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 32 grants Districtwide. This is the 12th 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.
The following four projects are funded by the District’sAlafia River Basin Board, the Hillsborough River Basin Board and the Peace River Basin Board. The Alafia River Basin includes the southern half of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County. The Hillsborough River Basin includes portions of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. The Peace River Basin includes portions of Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties.
TheFlorida Yards & Neighborhoods/Polk County Extension will receive $4,785 for a Florida-friendly demonstration garden at the UF/IFAS Polk County Extension office in Bartow. The garden will feature a pond/bog garden that will demonstrate how to properly landscape stormwater ponds to filter pollutants and improve wildlife habitat. A pervious patio and walkway will demonstrate how to help prevent runoff pollution. Florida-friendly plants and a rain garden will show how low-lying areas can filter pollutants and create appealing gardens. The garden will be maintained by master gardeners. A survey will be available on-site and online where visitors will indicate what changes they will make in their home landscapes as a result of visiting the gardens. An estimated 15,000 visitors will be reached through this project during the first four months.
The Health Chic, Inc. will receive $3,445 for The Health Chic House Water Conservation Initiative, which includes a series of educational events. The events will take place once a month in March, April and May and will feature interactive demonstrations and water conservation displays. Local residents will learn about water conservation, rain barrels, micro-irrigation, earth worms, low-flow devices, organic gardening, composting and Florida-friendly landscaping. An estimated 1,500 attendees are expected to participate.
TheLakes Education/Action Drive will receive $5,000 to create four lakeside signs to be displayed at Martin Luther King Park located on Lake Silver in Winter Haven. The displays will focus on aquatic vegetation, wildlife, stormwater runoff and watershed education in the upper Peace River watershed. The goal is to inform residents and visitors how their actions directly impact the quality of the lake and watershed. The Lakes Education/Action Drive will also provide information about the project on its web site and in its newsletter. This project is expected to reach more than 5,000 people annually. This number is based on attendance at events held at Lake Silver throughout the year.
ThePolk County Master Gardeners will receive $2,500 for a vegetable demonstration garden and workshops focusing on using hydroponic and container gardening systems. Home vegetable gardening is growing in popularity due to higher food costs and food safety issues. The demonstration garden and workshops will show residents how they can save money and conserve water by using vertical hydroponic and/or container vegetable gardening techniques. The project is expected to reach approximately 5,000 people during the first four months through workshops, the web site, newsletters and visits to the Extension office.
Funding for the following project comes from the District’sPeace River Basin Board.
TheCity of Winter Haven will receive $2,280 for its “Winter Haven Lifestyle Water Conservation Public Education” workshop series. The six-part series, which is open to Winter Haven utility customers, will focus on water conservation ideas for lawn and irrigation systems. Participants will receive free conservation kits to coincide with each workshop topic. Behavior change will be measured by tracking the participants’ water consumption through their utility bills. The workshops are expected to reach approximately 600 people.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2010 Community Education Grant program will begin its application process in June 2009. For more information, please call the District’s Communications Department at 1-800-423-1476 or 352-796-7211, ext. 4757.