Rocky Brushy Creek Watershed Mgmt. Plan (2007) -- Part 2

CHAPTER 84. Hillsborough County Stream Waterwatch - The Stream Waterwatch program is acooperative effort between Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Community College,FWC, and the SWFWMD. The goal of this program is to ensure clean and healthy streams.Volunteers are trained to collect water quality samples, to take field measurements ofphysical parameters, and to collect, sort, and identify macroinvertebrates. Volunteerscollect monthly stream samples and measurements. They also participate in stream cleanups,restoration projects, and related activities.5. Hillsborough County Lake Management Program - The Lake Management Program(LaMP) is a cooperative program involving Hillsborough County, University of FloridaLAKEWATCH, and the University of Florida. Volunteers take monthly samples and learnabout aquatic plants, water quality, and the wildlife that utilize their lakes. Citizens learnwhat they can do in their households and yards to improve the health of their lakes.Collected data is entered in a web-based database maintained by the University of SouthFlorida (http://www.hillsborough.wateratlas.usf.edu/).6. Nature’s Classroom at the Wilderness Park - The Nature’s Classroom is located withinthe Wilderness Park, an award winning outdoor educational facility for sixth graders inHillsborough County. Nearly 10,000 students and faculty have experienced theHillsborough River first hand by viewing animals and plants in their natural habitats. TheSWFWMD’s Hillsborough River Basin Board for flood control and water quality protectionoriginally purchased the Wilderness Park.University of Florida/Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension ServiceThe Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is an educational service of the University of Florida andHillsborough County that provides research-based information to the public through workshops,publications, and mass media. The CES offers assistance on creating and maintaining a Floridayard, composting, creating wildlife habitat, xeriscaping, water conservation with micro-irrigation,butterfly gardening, and landscaping for beginners. Several programs are implemented inHillsborough County:1. Master Gardener Program - The CES offers the Master Gardener Program that providesgardeners with training and the opportunity to improve their horticultural knowledge andskills. Through organized volunteer activities, gardeners then share their experience withthe public. Master gardeners help to educate the community by helping gardeners solvetheir plant problems, promoting environmental responsibility through water conservationand pest control, beautifying Hillsborough County by teaching about appropriate plants forits climate, and working with school and community gardens.2. Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program - The CES offers the Backyard Wildlife HabitatProgram, which promotes the use of native plants. The program teaches that the rightselection of native plants can provide a natural food source year-round. When usedcorrectly the plants will require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.8-51Rocky/Brushy Creek Watershed Management Plan