{"id":14874,"date":"2026-01-26T15:55:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T20:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/?post_type=news&p=14874"},"modified":"2026-01-26T15:56:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T20:56:29","slug":"from-kayaks-to-classrooms-tampa-bay-water-invests-in-seven-water-education-projects","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/news\/from-kayaks-to-classrooms-tampa-bay-water-invests-in-seven-water-education-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"From Kayaks to Classrooms, Tampa Bay Water Invests in Seven Water Education Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

News Release<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For Immediate Release<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Contact: Brandon Moore
bmoore@tampabaywater.org<\/a>
(727) 791-2304<\/a>\n\n\n

CLEARWATER, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2026)<\/strong> \u2013 Tampa Bay Water announced funding for seven projects through its 2026 Water Conservation and Protection Mini Grant Program\u2014each bringing creative, community-driven solutions to protect and conserve the region\u2019s most precious resource: water. Grants ranging from $4,000 to $10,000<\/strong> will help launch educational programs, art festivals, mobile aquariums, native landscaping projects and more across the Tampa Bay area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis program is about education through collaboration,\u201d said Brandon Moore, public communications manager at Tampa Bay Water. \u201cBy partnering with community organizations, we can amplify education and outreach efforts that inspire our community to conserve and protect water every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2008, Tampa Bay Water\u2019s grant program has invested more than $450,000 into community initiatives. Funding supports a wide spectrum of projects that strengthen a culture of sustainability throughout the region.<\/p>\n

The 2026 grants were awarded by Tampa Bay Water\u2019s board of directors at its January meeting where organizations were recognized and presented their award checks. Organizations receiving funding are:<\/p>\n

1. Florida Polytechnic University \u2014 $5,000<\/strong>
The We-Go program delivers STEM-based water education through classroom lessons, hands-on experiments and facility tours. Students learn about Tampa Bay\u2019s water sources, treatment and conservation using real-world equipment. The project will reach hundreds of students directly and tens of thousands indirectly, promoting long-term water stewardship.<\/p>\n

2. Girl Scouts of West Central Florida \u2014 $10,000<\/strong>
This project expands the Water Conservation Academy with interactive labs, leadership training and community events like Earth Day. Activities teach practical water-saving strategies through DIY filters, runoff simulations and drought-tolerant gardening. Thousands of Girl Scouts and families will be engaged, fostering sustainable habits and advocacy for clean water.<\/p>\n

3. Marine Exploration Center \u2014 $7,200<\/strong>
The mobile aquarium brings marine science and water conservation education to schools and public events across Tampa Bay. New features include a digital quiz station and pet waste awareness campaign, alongside hands-on exhibits. The program will reach tens of thousands, including underserved students, to promote watershed protection and personal responsibility.<\/p>\n

4. Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project \u2014 $8,000<\/strong>
The Tampa Bay Chalk Festival will use public art to highlight water conservation, climate resilience and estuary health. Activities include live murals, youth art zones and an environmental education panel. With more than 700 attendees expected, the event combines art and science to inspire community stewardship of local waterways.<\/p>\n

5. Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education \u2014 $10,000<\/strong>
This project creates a curriculum supplement using Tampa Bay Times reporting to teach water conservation and source protection. Distributed to 100 high schools with 34,000 copies, it includes citizen science activities and teacher training. The effort connects classroom learning to real-world issues, increasing student understanding of drinking water resources.<\/p>\n

6. Tampa Bay Waterkeeper \u2014 $8,800<\/strong>
Colors of The Bay offers kayak tours for students, blending art and environmental education to build connections to local waterways. Participants learn about watershed health, pollution prevention and conservation while creating watercolor sketches. The program fosters stewardship and advocacy for clean water through experiential learning.<\/p>\n

7. Wellswood Civic Association \u2014 $4,000<\/strong>
This project restores native landscaping and installs a drip irrigation system with rain barrel at the Wellswood Community Center. It includes a community planting day and workshop on sustainable practices. Outreach to 1,500 households will promote water savings and environmental stewardship while reducing potable water use.<\/p>\n

For more information about Tampa Bay Water\u2019s Source Water Mini Grant Program visit tampabaywater.org\/grant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About Tampa Bay Water<\/strong>
Tampa Bay Water is the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.6 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more, visit tampabaywater.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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