FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brandon Moorebmoore@tampabaywater.org727-796-2355 | 813-996-7009
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Tampa Bay Water, the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program are accepting final entries for the 2016 Tampa Bay Community Water-Wise Awards. The deadline is quickly approaching and Tampa Bay Water urges all applicants to apply today! The application is online at tampabaywaterwise.org and must be received by June 30, 2016.
Residents, businesses, and community organizations in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties are eligible to apply.
Applicants must provide a brief description and photos of their water-efficient landscape to be considered for an award. Each landscape entry is evaluated and scored on-site by a University of Florida IFAS County Extension representative during regular business hours; applicants are not required to be present for this evaluation.
Winning landscapes balance attractive design with Florida-friendly plants and landscape elements, as well as water-efficient irrigation techniques that have a positive impact on our environment. Winning landscapes represent the beauty and resiliency of our natural environment, and awards are given to those that are committed to conserving our water resources.
Winners receive a custom 2016 Water-Wise landscape stepping stone during an award ceremony presented by county commissioners, city council members or even mayors within their local governments.
To hear why some of the past award winners implemented their water-wise landscapes, visit the Community Water-Wise Awards online video series. The series showcases past winner’s experiences with the Tampa Bay Community Water-Wise Awards program, including information about their personal landscaping practices, irrigation techniques and what it means to be Water-Wise.
The Water-Wise Awards program is designed to recognize attractive, water-conserving landscapes in various water-use sectors (e.g., homes, businesses, industry and government). Moreover, the program seeks to identify actual examples of outstanding Florida-friendly, water-wise landscaping and to promote those principles within the community. tampabaywaterwise.org
Tampa Bay Water provides wholesale water to the public utility systems of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more about Tampa Bay Water, please visit www.tampabaywater.org.
For news media requests, please contact: Michelle Stom, MPA, APR Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer O: (727) 791-2305 | M: (727) 418-4652 Brandon Moore, APR Public Communications Manager O: (727) 791-2304 | M: (727) 470-0702
