News Releases

News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brandon Moore
bmoore@tampabaywater.org
(727) 791-2304 | (727) 470-0702

LARGO, Fla. (July 12, 2023) – New signs along the Florida Botanical Gardens Elevated Wetland Walkway were installed Wednesday morning. The brightly colored signs are designed to help educate visitors about the importance of protecting and conserving our water resources. The new markers provide guests with an inspiring learning experience as they enjoy the beauty of the Gardens. The signs were paid for through a grant from Tampa Bay Water.

“This project is a big deal for us! Guests of the Gardens will read these signs about protecting and conserving our drinking water resources every day,” said Chuck Carden, General Manager of Tampa Bay Water. “Educational opportunities like these are one of our guiding values at Tampa Bay Water and we are proud to continue our ongoing partnership with the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation to make a positive impact in our community and our future.”

“We are thrilled to see these beautiful signs be placed in their permanent home along our gorgeous Wetland Walkway, said Vice President of the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation Alison Nourse-Miller. “Thanks to the generous grant from Tampa Bay Water, we are able to enhance the experience for our guests and further our mission to come together for education, inspiration, and enjoyment.”

The new walkway signs are part of Tampa Bay Water’s Source Water Protection Mini-grant program. The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation applied for and was awarded a $3,000 grant to place the signage panels along the elevated wetlands walkways. Through the mini-grant program, Tampa Bay Water is able to directly reach a portion of the 2.5 million residents served through its member governments in an effort to actively engage them in protecting and conserving our drinking water sources.

Tampa Bay Water is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The regional water utility has made great strides to diversify the drinking water sources used to keep the taps flowing while being conscious of the environmental impact. Tampa Bay Water uses a combination of groundwater, river water and seawater.

About Tampa Bay Water’s Source Water Protection Grant Program:

The program is offered by Tampa Bay Water, the region’s wholesale drinking water provider, to help keep drinking water sources free from pollution, cleaning waterways, and protecting watersheds. Community groups, non-profit organizations, schools and service organizations can receive a share of $30,000 for helping to protect the Tampa Bay area’s drinking water sources. The grants range between $2,000-$10,000 per organization. More information is at tampabaywater.org/grant.

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 2.5 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more, visit tampabaywater.org.

About the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation

The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation (FBGF) is a fundraising entity (501c3) created to provide leadership and financial support for the Florida Botanical Gardens. The FBGF began as the Friends of the Gardens in 1993 for the purposes of encouraging interest in and support for a botanical garden in Pinellas County.