Coming Soon to a Neighborhood Near You:
Water Resource Programs Sponsored by SWFWMD

Pinellas Technical Education Centers won gold at Skills USA's "National Leadership and Skills Conference" in Kansas City for a distributing 675 water conservation kits and hosting 30 water conservation workshops.


Funding from the district's community education grants helped Tampa Bay Watch install oyster domes along Bayshore Boulevard.


Involving residents in coastal clean-ups benefits ecosystems immediately and over the long term when people learn about the problem caused by debris and become less likely to litter.


Previous commuinity education grants have supported workshops on Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles.

Nearly a dozen water conservation initiatives sponsored through community education grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District are scheduled this Spring across the Tampa Bay region.

"In 1998, the district began to reach out at the grass-root level to engage residents in hands-on activities that increase knowledge and produce changes in behavior to protect Florida's ecosystems," said Robin Grantham, communications coordinator.

Events must be scheduled between March 1 and July 31 – typically the hot, dry season before summer rains begin. They must be directly related to water resources, including conservation, watershed clean-ups, irrigation or invasive plants. "The overall goal of the grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation," she said.

They're open to nearly anyone from church and civic groups, homeowners associations and college or university staff to individuals who want to reach out to their neighbors about an important water-related issue. Funded by the district's basin boards, community education grants are designed to motivate communities to get involved in protecting their water resources through various educational activities.

The two key words are "water" and "adults," Grantham said. "Any project we fund must be directly related to water resources and provide education to adults. Kid's programs are funded through our Splash grants for teachers."

People with ideas are invited to call Grantham to brainstorm how they can be implemented. The 2012 grant application process will begin in June with a deadline of August 19. Grants of up to $5000 will be reimbursed once the project is complete.

Following are the projects funded this year by county:

Hillsborough

The East Lake Park Lake Management Committee received a $3,500 grant to educate volunteers, residents and businesses about human impacts to water quality. The committee will conduct workshops, organize aquatic plantings and produce newsletter articles. The project received funding from the district's Hillsborough River Basin Board.

The Hillsborough County Extension Services received a $4,999 grant to promote the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Green Industries Best Management Practices for the Protection of Water Resources program to horticulture professionals. The project shared funding from the district's Hillsborough River and Alafia River basin boards.

Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful received a $5,000 grant to educate residents about the effects of litter and the improper use of fertilizers and pesticides within the watershed. The organization will conduct presentations, perform site cleanups and staff event booths during the Great American Cleanup. The project shared funding from the district's Hillsborough River and Alafia River basin boards.

The Sustany Foundation received a $4,900 grant to educate volunteers and residents about invasive and native plants and actions that can be taken to promote conservation of aquatic environments. Volunteers will conduct invasive plant removals and staff booths at Earth Day festivals. The project received funding from the district's Hillsborough River Basin Board.

Manatee

The following projects in Manatee County received funding from the district's Manasota Basin Board:

The Mill Creek VII Homeowners Association received a $4,025 grant to educate participants about the function and ecological significance of stormwater ponds. Participants will take part in a seminar, a workshop and hands-on plantings at five stormwater ponds.

The River Club Homeowners Association received a $4,576 grant to teach residents about water quality. Resident volunteers will conduct water quality tests in 10 lakes and five of the surface water streams in the River Club neighborhood.

Kayak Nature Adventures received a $4,998 grant to organize a "spring cleaning" of manatee habitats at Terra Ceia in Manatee County, as well as Clam Bayou and Bear Creek in Pinellas County and Weeki Wachee in Hernando County. Funding for this project was shared among the Pinellas-Anclote River, Coastal Rivers and Manasota basin boards.

Pinellas

The following projects received funding from the district's Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board:

Nature's Academy received a $4,150 grant to educate Tampa Bay residents about invasive plants. Nature's Academy will remove invasive plants at Fort De Soto Park and post educational signs along nature trails.
The Seminole Vocational Education Center received a $4,962 grant to distribute 600 water conservation kits to Pinellas County residents. Kits include a hose nozzle, a rain gauge with an "Efficient Watering Guide," a soil moisture meter probe and a hose-end repair kit.

Tampa Bay Green, Inc. received a $4,992 grant to host the Tampa Bay Living Green Expo. This annual environmental education event promotes sustainable living through energy, water and environmental resource conservation.

Tampa Bay Beautification received a $4,427 grant to educate volunteers about watersheds, how our behaviors affect the watershed and the impact of invasive plants. The organization will remove litter and invasive plants from environmentally sensitive lands.

For more information, visit www.WaterMatters.org/communitygrants.