Wanted: Water-Wise Yard Nominees

Does your garden require minimal watering? Are you adept at incorporating Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles with attractive design? Your yard, then, should be nominated for Tampa Bay Water's 15^th annual Community Water-Wise Awards program.

The program is open to residents, builders and organizations in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties or the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey.

Applications are available online at tampabaywaterwise.org and must be received by June 30.

Applicants are asked to provide a brief description and photos of their water-efficient landscape to be considered for an award. Each landscape entry will be evaluated and scored on-site by a local Florida-Friendly Landscaping representative during regular business hours in July; applicants need not be present for this evaluation.

Sought are landscapes that balance attractive design with Florida-friendly plants and landscape elements, as well as water-efficient irrigation techniques that have a positive impact on the environment.

“It’s part of the station’s mission to minimize our impact on the environment,” said Paul Carroll, WMNF Radio and 2012 Water-Wise Award Winner. “It’s kind of in our DNA.”

Winners receive a custom 2013 water-wise landscape stepping stone for their efforts during an award ceremony presented by county commissioners, city council members and mayors within their local governments.

“When I switched to rainwater and native, Florida-friendly landscaping, my water bill was reduced 80 percent,” said Tom Ungaro, 2011 Water-Wise Award Winner.

The money savings are just an added benefit with having a Water-Wise landscape. To hear why some of the past Community Water-Wise Award winners implemented their water-wise landscapes, visit Tampa Bay Water’s new Water-Wise video series on YouTube at www.youtube.com/tampabaywater.

The series showcases past winner’s experiences with the Water-Wise program, including information about their personal landscaping practices, irrigation techniques and what it means to be Water-Wise.

For more details, click here.

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