Lecanto Primary School will educate community members regarding efficient ways to conserve water in gardens or plantings around the home through a Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Through a workshop, residents will learn about water conservation and techniques for rain barrel installation and care.

The workshop will be held 5:30 p.m. March 25 in the school’s cafeteria. Registration is not required, and participants will be entered into a drawing to win a free rain barrel. Residents will also learn about micro-irrigation systems by participating in a system installation at the school’s community garden. The installation date has not been scheduled.

The $2,300 project is funded by the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board. The Withlacoochee River basin includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter counties.

The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the District's Basin Boards, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in watershed protection through various educational activities.

These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.

This year the District awarded 35 grants Districtwide for a total of $144,052. This is the 13th year Community Education Grants have been available.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's 2011 Community Education Grant program will begin its application process in June. For more information, call the District's Communications Department at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, Ext. 4757.