Visitors to west-central Florida can enjoy the area’s natural beauty and still make a difference in preserving the its natural resources, thanks to conservation programs developed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
 
National Travel and Tourism Week is May 8-16, and the District offers many ways to celebrate tourism without sacrificing the environment.
 
Visitors within the District’s 16-county region can save water for Florida’s future by staying at a Water CHAMP hotel or motel and dining at a Water PRO restaurant. They can also enjoy recreational activities on public conservation lands obtained by the District and its partners to protect Florida’s water resources.
 
Responsible Lodging
 
More than 450 hotels have joined with the District to save water. The free Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water CHAMP) helps hotels and motels save water and money while practicing more efficient housekeeping and landscaping. Part of the program involves a linen and towel reuse program that launders bed linens and towels every third day of a guest’s stay, unless requested otherwise by guests.
 
Restaurants Saving Water
 
More than 250 restaurants in the District are taking steps to conserve water. The free Water Program for Restaurant Outreach (Water PRO) helps restaurants lower operating costs and conserve water by making a few adjustments in service and appliances. Did you know that every glass of water brought to a table uses an additional two glasses of water during cleaning? Serving water only upon request is a great way to conserve water, save money and reduce staff time.

 
Explore the Outdoors
 
Join the 2.5 million people who visit the more than 50 District public conservation lands every year. You can find these sites in the Recreation At-A-Glance brochure available in many hotel and motel rooms and lobbies. The brochure allows the reader to identify where District-owned lands are located and what types of recreation are permitted. Or you can find the brochure on the District’s web site at www.WaterMatters.org/at-a-glance/.
 
You can find even more detail in the District’s 152-page Recreation Guide, with maps of District-owned lands and the recreational uses allowed on these properties. Download or order the Guide on the District’s web site at www.WaterMatters.org/rec_guide/.
 
Flip through the Florida Species Field Guides, available at www.WaterMatters.org/recreation/species/, and find out what kinds of plants and animals you may spot during your excursion.
 
You can celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week and make a difference at the same time. Look for a Water CHAMP hotel or motel when making reservations. Refresh yourself at a local Water PRO restaurant. And explore Florida’s natural beauty at one of the District’s public conservation lands.