MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

SI99
Environmental Education Centers
Project Type SOR
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Withlacoochee River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager MILLER, WILL
Task Manager(s)
Status Proposed
Description
On July 12 2007, at a joint meeting of the Basin Board Land Resources and Education Committees, staff presented an
analysis of existing education efforts and population density to determine the geographic regions that would most likely
support environmental education centers similar to that of Nature's Classroom. The results demonstrated that the
Manasota and Withlacoochee River Basins were the basins that most warrant further efforts to establish
environmental education centers. Additionally, promoting education opportunities is a strategy identified in the District's
Strategic Plan. Recognizing the value of nature-based experiences for children, the District has a history of supporting
field trip programs and other hands-on experiences with nature. These programs not only offer immediate learning
experiences for students, but also create lasting impressions. Without these programs, many students would not have
the opportunity to experience the natural environment. Because of the District's mission related to natural systems and
in recognition of increasing pressures on schools to streamline and meet core education standards, staff believes that
it is prudent to take a comprehensive look at currently available programs and centers. One of the more successful
efforts has been the Nature's Classroom partnership. Natures Classroom is located on 365 acres in northeast
Hillsborough County along the Hillsborough River. The property is owned by the District and managed by the School
Board of Hillsborough County as an environmental education facility. Since 1994, the Southwest Florida Water
Management District has supported a unique three-day environmental education program in partnership with the
Hillsborough County School Board and the Hillsborough County Education Foundation. This program makes it
possible for all public school sixth-grade students in Hillsborough County to attend a three-day, hands-on field-study
focusing on the hydrology and ecosystem management of the Hillsborough River. Annually, approximately 13,000
students and 1,000 teachers participate in Nature's Classroom studies. Other similar efforts and District contributions
to education centers include those at Starkey Wilderness Park, Weekiwachee Preserve and Circle B Bar Reserve.
Although programs at education centers like these can be successful, the centers themselves are not the core reason
for the successes. There are a number of other ways to achieve youth-based environmental education goals through
productive partnerships.
Benefits
Building an education center can be a valuable catalyst to achieve environmental education goals, but only if there are
partnership commitments, particularly with the school boards, to assure the long-term viability and effective education.
In cases where this commitment is not as strong, the District has sought other methods and programs to educate the
youth on the value of ecosystems, watersheds and conservation in general. In addition, there are a number of other
environmental education programs and centers throughout the 16-county region that the District is not responsible for
developing and supporting. This is important to consider in assessing needs for future District efforts in order to assure
the prudent expenditure of resources and effort.
Costs
Staff will initiate discussions with the potential partners within the recommended regions to determine if other entities,
such as school boards, would provide the necessary long term support for the education centers. District costs are
100% reimbursible from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund.
Status As Of: May 28, 2009
FY 2009 FY2010
Funding Funding
The Boards approved transfer of budgeted funds to SWIM at the April Basin Board meeetings.
021 - Manasota Basin 29