GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Residents who want to know about water quality, conservation and pollution may dive in to the Water Quality Tours offered by the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office. The tours will be July 22 to 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Freedom Community Center, 7340 SW 41 Place, Gainesville, Florida 32608.

The tour will provide research-based information about water resources, conservation and best use practices. The tour stops will include urban and springs watersheds, and agricultural operations.

“One of IFAS’s main initiative is to educate people on water quality. We want to educate citizens on water issues, such as urban flow and agricultural flow,” said Cindy Sanders, center director for Extension Alachua County. “We will share best management practices for farmers and city residents. We want to come up with a happy medium where we all work together, urban and rural, to use water wisely.”

The bus will leave each day from the Freedom Community Center at 9 a.m. (Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. for check-in.) Registration fee is $40 for the three-day tour and includes lunches and bus fee.

Registration will be limited to the first 50 pre-paid registrants. To reserve your seat, please pay in advance to the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office, 2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville, Florida.

For more information about this program, please call 352-955-2402.

By: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu

Source: Cindy Sanders, 352-955-2402, sanders1@ufl.edu

0