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Highlands Today

First 'Conservation Connection' Day Scheduled

ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION GIVEAWAYS HIGHLIGHT OF EVENT

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By Jim  Konkoly | Highlands Today

Published: June 19, 2008

SEBRING — If you have any question about just about anything related to conservation, farming, natural resources and local outdoor recreation, circle June 25 on your calendar.

Environmental agencies from Highlands County and the state will be there with personnel and exhibits for the first-ever Highlands County Conservation Connection Day.

Set for 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 25, at the Highlands County Agri-Civic Center, this event is designed for both children and adults.

Representatives from 17 local, regional and statewide environmental, agricultural, youth and recreation agencies will be on hand to answers questions and pass out information.

Displays will run the gamut from airboats to hydrilla tanks, composters and rain barrels.
Representatives of local 4-Clubs will be on hand, as will the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, which will provide free orange juice.

Corine Burgess, the natural resources specialist with the Highlands County Soil & Water Conservation District, said there will be plenty of refreshments, experts to answer questions, and free caladium bulbs, courtesy of Bates Sons & Daughters Caladiums of Lake Placid.

"Conservation Connection Day" is the brain child of Burgess, who will use it as the fourth and final event at which Soil & Water will give out free low-flow shower heads.

With a state grant, the agency purchased shower heads that use half the water, to give out free to the public. This give-away program promotes water conservation, which is important even when there isn't a drought.

Demand for the free low-show shower heads was greater than Burgess expected when this program was announced at a Highlands County Homeowners Meeting and reported the next day in Highlands Today.

"When that story came out, we had about 400 people coming in to get them," Burgess said.
"We originally bought about 1,000 to give away, but we've had to buy more due to the demand, and now we're down to our last 100," Burgess said. After the homeowners meeting, Soil & Water also gave the save-water shower heads out at Earth Day in Lake Placid and at a composting workshop put on by Soil & Water.

The last 100 of the free low-flow shower heads will be given away, first-come-first-served, at Conservation Connection Day.

In addition to Soil and Water Conservation, the Highlands County agencies participating in the first Conservation Connection Day are: parks and recreation department, Keep Highlands County Beautiful; the recycling and landfill departments, and the cooperative extension service.

Other groups participating include the state forestry department, both the South Florida and the Southwest Florida water management districts, the state Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Highlands County Lakes Association, the Okeechobee and South Dade soil and water conservation districts, Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, and Highlands Hammock State Park.

Burgess said this event was designed to get information and answers to questions from people. She said it also will be "an excellent occasion for people to find out what they can do to help the environment."

If the event is successful, it probably will become an annual community event, Burgess said.
"This is the first time we've tried something like this," Burgess said. "We're hoping that if we can get the word out about this we will get a good turnout."

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