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

EXISTING NATURAL SYSTEMS CONDITIONS3. Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program - The CES offers the Florida Yards andNeighborhoods Program (FYNP). The FYNP is a partnership of concerned citizens,members of the landscape industry, the University of Florida’s Cooperative ExtensionService, the National Estuary Program, Florida Sea Grant College Program, and numerousenvironmental agencies. The program was developed to address serious problems ofpollution and disappearing habitats by enlisting homeowners to help save our waterways.The program provides special education and outreach activities in the community byassisting residents to reduce pollution and enhance their environment by improving homeand landscape management.SWFWMD Environmental Education ProgramsSWFWMD implements several programs throughout it 16-county service area that includesHillsborough County:1. Xeriscape - The xeriscape program promotes water conservation through creativelandscaping. Landscapes that conserve water will save the homeowner money on water,energy, and maintenance bills, and will help preserve valuable fresh water resources andprovide wildlife habitat. The program guides homeowners through a seven-step processincluding 1) design, 2) plant selection, 3) improving the soil, 4) wise utilization of turf, 5)efficient irrigation, 6) using mulch, and 7) maintenance.2. SWFWMD In-School Education Programs - The In-School Education Program helpsachieve the SWFWMD’s goal of preserving and protecting water resources and relatedecosystems through educational materials for teachers and students from Kindergartenthrough grade 12.3. SWFWMD Mini-Grants is a program that offers teachers funding to do classroom projectson water quality, water supply, water conservation, or watersheds. Applications areavailable through the SWFWMD athttp://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/infoed/educators/minigrants/hillsboroughmg.pdf.4. SWFWMD Teacher workshops provide teachers information on water resources in theRocky Creek - Brushy Creek watershed, as well as hands-on activities and strategies forthe best instructional methods on water issues.5. Project WET is an inter-disciplinary water education program for teachers and othereducators working with young people in Kindergarten through grade 12. The program canbe integrated into existing curricula of a school, museum, or community organization. Thegoal of the project is to facilitate and promote appreciation, awareness, knowledge, andstewardship of water resources though the development of classroom-ready teaching aidsand the through the establishment of internationally and state-sponsored Project WETprograms. The Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide is a collection of over 908-52Rocky/Brushy Creek Watershed Management Plan