Landscaping Party
Recently, personnel from the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District spent their Saturday planting Florida native plants at the new Administration Building. Master Gardener Christine Callahan developed the landscaping plan and native plant list, which totaled nearly 350 plants. Fellow Master Gardeners contributed to the planting as well.
The project consisted of removing invasive species and preparing the ground for planting. The Manatee County Extension Service lent expertise on locating grants and provided several rain barrels. Additional rain barrels where received from the Manatee County Utilities – Water Conservation office. A total of 12 rain barrels will be used to collect rain water from the gutters to aid in watering the plants. King Middle School art students will be painting barrels with fire department themes.
The Florida Native Plant Society – Serenoa Chapter provided a $500 grant for the native plants and several other grant applications have been submitted to complete the project. Sweet Bay Nursery, a Florida native plant nursery provided the plants, while The Waterworks, an irrigation company, along with General Manager Carey Green worked with Volunteer Manatee Members to install low flow sprinklers and dip lines.
In all, this was a great community project which brought people together to create a better Florida.
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