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

EXISTING NATURAL SYSTEMS CONDITIONS10. storm water;11. solid waste; and12. capital improvement projects.Elements that directly affect natural communities within the Rocky Creek - Brushy Creekwatershed are coastal management, recreation and open space, potable water, conservation andaquifer recharge, and capital improvement projects.8.8 Public EducationPublic education is one of the most important components of a watershed management plan.Public outreach programs and projects can promote the participation and involvement of localresidents, which contributes to the acceptance, approval, and successful implementation of thiswatershed management plan. The following is a summary of current public education and outreachprograms throughout the state that apply to the concerns and goals of the Rocky Creek - BrushyCreek watershed. More specific information pertaining to these programs can be found bycontacting the responsible agency by phone or through their web site.Hillsborough County implements several programs applicable county-wide, including the RockyCreek - Brushy Creek watershed:1. Officer Snook Program - The Officer Snook Program teaches children about waterpollution and its effect on our rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams. Officer Snook provides afun and educational coloring book for each student, as well as curriculum guides andactivity books for teachers who want to continue pollution prevention education in theirclassrooms.2. Stormwater Ecologist – This program is designed to give students and teachers thepower to make responsible decisions about stormwater pollution prevention and todemonstrate how our actions all play a role in the health of the world around us.Stormwater Ecologist not only talks about making a difference, we’ll actually help you makeone with our hands-on and community projects. This program incorporates aspects ofscience, politics, and economics, making it appropriate for a wide range of classes.3. Hillsborough County’s Adopt-A-Pond - The Adopt-A-Pond program is a public-privatepartnership helping neighborhoods improve their water quality, wildlife habitat value, andaesthetic value of stormwater ponds. The program is dedicated to improve pondenvironments. The program offers free education on stormwater runoff, storm drain markingkits, free native wetland plants, technical advice on pond management, and the opportunityto participate in a network of other members of the program. In the watershed, 61 pondsare included in the Program.8-50Rocky/Brushy Creek Watershed Management Plan