Florida Yards and Neighborhoods wins FWEA education award
Teresa Watkins, multi-county coordinator of the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program in Orange, Lake, and Seminole counties, has been awarded a 2007 public education award by the Florida Water Environmental Association (FWEA).
Watkins won the award in the "campaign catergory" for homeowner education of water conservation and non-source pollution education at the Spring Water Wise event. The showcase was held during Water Conservation Month at the Lowe’s and Ace Hardware stores in the city of Sanford in Seminole County.
The awards, the highest given by the FWEA, recognize outstanding contributions in water conservation throughout the state of Florida.
Bill Marcous, city of Sanford’s utility manager said the award is intended to encourage utilities and other water quality organizations to incorporate public education and outreach into their operating plans, as well as to provide examples of successful public education programs and best practices.
Watkins has received numerous gold, silver and bronze UF/IFAS Institute Marketing Awards for Gaining Excellence (IMAGE) awards for her Central Florida Yards & Neighborhoods environmental and gardening website, brochures, and radio show.
She currently hosts her weekly call-in radio show; "In Your Backyard" on WLBE 790 AM, Leesburg, Tuesdays at 11am. The Show is sponsored by the Lake County Water Authority, showcasing environmental issues and landscaping advice coast to coast.
Watkins received a plaque commemorating the award at a luncheon ceremony in Orlando, Florida on April 17th at the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association Conference.
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Teresa Watkins, right, helps a customer select the appropriate plants for her landscape during one of Sanford's Spring Water Wise events.
