Water-wise teachers can apply for Splash! grants

BROOKSVILLE — The Southwest Florida Water Management District is offering teachers its Splash! grants. The deadline to apply is Sept. 11.

The program promotes hands-on lessons about local watersheds and the freshwater resources within them.

The grants provide up to $5,000 per school on a reimbursement basis only and are available to public, private and homeschool teachers.

Grants are for classroom projects that focus on water quality, natural systems, water conservation, alternative water sources, flood protection or watersheds. Projects must be completed between Oct. 16 and April 30.

Visit WaterMatters.org/mini-grants to fill out the online application. Applicants may save the application, then go back and review or change portions before submitting it.

Last year, 209 grants were awarded. Projects have included water quality monitoring of local lakes and rivers, campaigns to promote awareness of water-conserving practices, and environmental field trips.

For additional ideas, see "featured grant projects" on the Web page.

In addition to the grants, the district offers educators free training workshops, educational materials and online watershed excursions. The publications are correlated to Florida's Sunshine State Standards and can also be ordered at WaterMatters.org/publications.

For questions about the Splash! grant application process or educational materials, call lead communications coordinator Mary Margaret Hull at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4774.