The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored two outstanding Sumter County projects that focused on water resources education. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.
The Sumter County recipients are listed below. Part of Sumter County is within the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin, which also includes portions of Citrus Hernando, Marion, Pasco and Levy counties.
Benachoice Caruthers, a teacher at North Sumter Primary School, was honroed for her “Splish! Splash! Save That Water!” project. This Splash! Mini-grant project, directly involving 125 third-grade students, helped students develop a better understanding of the importance of water and water conservation. Students conducted water surveys in their homes and documented ways their families could save water. They also learned about animals dependence on water by visiting the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park and researching those animals living in or near water. From their investigations during the field trip, and participation in other activities, including Project WET and the Great Water Odyssey, the students were able to create brochures highlighting water conservation tips.
Marylou Watson, a teacher at North Sumter Intermediate School, was honored for her “Water, Water, Water . . . Going, Going, Gone” project. As part of the project, students studied the concept of water and how it contributes to the sustainability of life on earth. The students visited Silver Springs and conducted water quality testing. They also participated in many classroom investigations, including creating a water cycle model, making salt water usable, studying a water filtration system, creating edible aquifers and studying the process of transpiration. The students utilized several Project WET activities, as well as publications and materials acquired from the District. The students documented their learning in their own water logs.
To select the awardees, District staff reviewed school projects funded 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.