The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized two Sumter County projects as outstanding school, community grant or volunteer programs that focus on water resources education. A total of 52 projects were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.
To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by teachers 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.
Here are the Sumter County recipients. Sumter County is part of the Withlacoochee River Basin, which also includes portions of Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Marion, and Levy counties.
Sumter County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program
The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program (FYN) in Sumter County educates homeowners and students on Florida-friendly landscaping and how by following the nin – principles, residents can act in ways that protect the watershed in which they live.
Webster Elementary, Water World
Students visited the Florida Aquarium as part of a year-long study of aquatic habitats. The study resulted in the class transforming their classroom into a freshwater pond.