District Accepting Applications for Community Education Grants
Community members who want to make a positive impact on the water resources in their area may apply online for a District Community Education Grant.
Funded by the District’s Basin Boards, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in watershed protection through various educational activities. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources. Individuals interested in organizing an education project for their neighborhood, community group or members of the general public may apply.
Visit the District’s web site at WaterMatters.org/CommunityGrants to find out more about the grants and to apply. The electronic application allows applicants to save, review and change portions of their proposal before submitting. Grant applications are due Aug. 20, 2010. The projects must take place between March 1 and July 31, 2011.
To discuss project ideas, please call Robin Grantham at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4779.
Miller Graduates From Statewide Leadership Program
Will Miller, District land use and protection manager, graduated from the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute March 19.
Miller and 14 other members of his class completed the professional leadership development program, which is part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Service and the Food and Resource Economics Department.
Through a combination of field trips, expert presentations, panel discussions and interactive classroom instruction, the program exposes class members to diverse viewpoints, allowing them to enhance their leadership skills while expanding a statewide perspective on natural resource issues.
Over the course of eight months, each graduate completes a course practicum, which is presented at graduation. Miller developed and implemented his practicum, titled “Invasive Species Management and Cost Control by State Agencies,” in collaboration with Dr. Jeff Hill, a University of Florida faculty member.
Central High Wins Groundwater Event at Envirothon
The Humpback Whales team from Hernando County’s Central High School won the Groundwater Use and Protection event at the annual Nature Coast Regional Envirothon competition on Feb. 24 at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
The Brooksville Regulation Department has provided support for the competition for the past 13 years. This year 108 teams from high schools in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Sumter counties competed in the Envirothon, with $2,500 in scholarship money at stake.
The Cation Crew team from the Villages Charter School in Sumter County was the overall Envirothon winner.
The Nature Coast Envirothon is organized by volunteers from local government agencies, school districts and the private sector. The competition is held in each county on a rotating basis.