DATE: March 27, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Rudy Rudolph
Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division
PHONE: 954-519-0328
EMAIL: rrudolph@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - A record number of exhibitors participated at the "13th Annual Water Matters Day - Celebrating Our Centennial" on Saturday, March 14th. Some 3,794 residents, volunteers, and 57 exhibitors participated in this year's Water Matters Day, the County's signature environmental event promoting water conservation and environmental stewardship. This year's event included demonstrations on how to enhance water quality while creating attractive landscapes that are beneficial for native wildlife.
Attendees were welcomed by Broward County Vice-Mayor Martin Kiar and Commissioner Beam Furr, who opened the celebration acknowledging the large turnout and the support of the community and the success the County has realized reducing water demands. Remarks were also provided by Jeff Kivett, Director of Operations, Engineering, and Construction Division at the South Florida Water Management District. Broward School Board's Guy Barmoha, recognized student finalists and their teachers in the annual Water Matters Day Literary Contest. Commissioners Kiar and Furr presented Emerald Awards in four NatureScape categories. Winners included the Driftwood Middle School Green Team (Schools), Sample McDougald House/Centennial Park in Pompano Beach (Government), and the Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and the Youth Environmental Alliance (Special achievement) for their dune planting project, and two homeowners.
Attendees were required to visit at least twelve booths in order to "earn" free native and drought tolerant plants which are available as part of the event's Native Tree and Plant Giveaway. The giveaway is a Water Matters Day highlight and approximately 3,245 trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and tree seedlings, provided through a grant from the National Wildlife Federation "Trees for People" program, were distributed to residents by the end of the day.
Workshops held throughout the day provided attendees with hands-on lessons in native plant selection and rain barrel construction and two lucky attendees won rain barrels to take home. Other raffle prizes included four irrigation system controllers, two each provided by Hunter Industries and Rain Bird. Kids enjoyed face painting, many interactive activities, and posing with mascots including the National Wildlife Federation's Ranger Rick and the Broward Water Partnership's Sammy-Save-a-Lot.
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Director of Broward County's Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division remarked that "over the past many years that I have been a part of this event, I continue to be grateful for the strong enthusiasm of the community which clearly indicates that the message of Water Matters Day continues to be important to Broward's residents and demonstrates the importance of the messages promoted at Water Matters Day that become more relevant every day."
About Environmental Planning and Community Resilience
Broward County's Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division protects, restores and enhances the quality, abundance and diversity of the County's natural resources through coordinated management efforts in five areas: water resource policy and planning, urban and natural lands management, beach and marine resources, energy and sustainability, and environmental monitoring. For more information call 954-519-1270, visit Broward.org/NaturalResources or follow us on Twitter @BrowardEnv.