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20Apr
Pinellas County Residents Receive First‑Ever Regional Tampa Bay Community Water‑Wise Award
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News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Malique Rankin
mrankin@tampabaywater.org
(727) 791-2315

CLEARWATER, Fla. (April 20, 2026) – Michele Burt and David Kulp of Pinellas County are the inaugural recipients of Tampa Bay Water’s Best of the Region Award as part of the Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards, recognizing landscapes that conserve water while remaining attractive and functional.

Tampa Bay Water board member's with Community Water Wise Award winners and the stone prize artist stand with the Best of the Region stone mosaic.

This marks the first time Tampa Bay Water has presented a regional award under the program, elevating the top water‑wise landscape among recent local award winners across Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Burt and Kulp’s landscape stood out for its efficient irrigation, thoughtful design and use of Florida‑Friendly Landscaping™ principles—demonstrating how homeowners can significantly reduce outdoor water use while maintaining strong curb appeal.

“With our region currently in a Stage 3 Regional Supply Shortage, landscapes like this are more than beautiful—they’re essential,” said Amelia Brown, demand management program manager for Tampa Bay Water. “Michele and David are showing what’s possible when residents choose the right plants in the right places and use water efficiently. As we celebrate Water Conservation Month this April, their landscape sets an example our entire community can learn from.”

The Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards program is offered in partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and Florida‑Friendly Landscaping™ Program. Landscapes are evaluated by UF/IFAS Extension staff based on criteria including:

  • Retention of existing trees and vegetation
  • Landscape design and plant selection
  • Stormwater runoff prevention
  • Efficient irrigation
  • Overall aesthetic appeal

Applications for the 2026 Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards are open now through July 31, with homeowners and businesses in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties encouraged to apply. Residents can find full details and apply at awards.tampabaywaterwise.org.

Award recipients receive a custom mosaic stepping stone created by a local artist and are recognized at local city council or county commission meetings. The Best of the Region Award is a special stone and is presented at a Tampa Bay Water Board meeting.

About Tampa Bay Water

Tampa Bay Water is the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.6 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa, and the counties of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas. To learn more, visit tampabaywater.org.

About the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. To learn more, visit ifas.ufl.edu.

About the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Program was designed to help residents and business owners create and maintain beautiful yards using research-based, environmentally sustainable landscaping practices. This program provides training opportunities and educational services that teach homeowners, landscaping professionals, and green industries how to water efficiently, fertilize appropriately, manage yard pests responsibly, and more. To learn more, visit ffl.ifas.ufl.edu.