The Southwest Florida Water Management District is announcing the recipients of the 2005 Community Education Grant Program. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.
This year the District awarded 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $107,667.
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 water protection through various activities and educational formats.
This is the ninth year community education grants have been available.
Here are the Sarasota County recipients in the Manasota Basin:
The Friends of the Myakka River, Inc. will receive $5,000 for the Myakka Wild and Scenic Trails Map. The Friends of the Myakka River are partnering with Myakka River State Park, Audubon Society, National Resources Conservation Service and Sarasota County to develop a detailed map of the Myakka River that will inspire an understanding and appreciation for natural areas in the Myakka River watershed. Approximately 20,000 maps will be made and used by hikers, bicyclists, canoeists, kayakers and birders. Map users will learn about the watershed approach to land management and the variety of natural communities within the watershed.
The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. will receive $4,200 for the Wetlands Youth Leadership Program. This program will train 25 girls, ages 13 to 16, about water quality, non-point source pollution prevention, wetland function, wetland ecosystems and watershed protection. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency and the District will provide the program materials. The Enviroscape model will also be used. The girl scouts will then use what they’ve learned to give presentations to approximately 300 community members.
This project’s funding comes from the District’s Manasota Basin Board. The Manasota Basin includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2006 Community Education Grant Program will begin its application process in August of this year if funding is approved by the Basin Boards. The deadline for applications is tentatively scheduled for October. To be added to the mailing list to receive the 2006 application, call the District’s Communications Department at 800-423-1476 or 352-796-7211, ext. 4757.