The county and city have scheduled an informational session on stormwater ponds. The registration deadline is Tuesday (April 26).

PINELLAS COUNTY – Educating residents about properly managing and maintaining green spaces near water is important in Pinellas County.

The county’s Division of Environmental Management is partnering with the city of Largo for the 2016 Lakes and Ponds Education and Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday (April 30). This year’s event will focus on maintaining and managing stormwater ponds. The event will feature educational displays and presentations, free raffles as well as a free plant giveaway at the end for guests.

Government, environmental and private organizations will provide tips and exhibits about best management practices in and around lakes and ponds. Attendees will learn about stormwater pond management. Anyone needing a plant species identified can bring in a high quality photo or a plastic bag with a zipper containing a specimen in water from the pond. Those interested in taking home native aquatic plants, wildflowers and trees should bring grocery bags to transport plants they receive.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday (April 30) at the Florida Botanical Gardens Welcome Center, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The event is free. The registration deadline is Tuesday (April 26). Space is limited.

Learning proper management of spaces near water is imprortant because Pinellas County is a watershed. Watersheds are areas of land that drain to a body of water. Water from rainfall is channeled into soils, creeks and streams, eventually making its way to Tampa Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. When land drains to water, residents have an impact on water quality – items like trash, grass clippings, pet waste and fertilizers pollute water sources.

This year Arbor Day falls on Friday (April 29). It is the yearly celebration dedicated to planting and caring for trees.

To sign up for the session, go to eventbrite.com. For information about Pinellas County, go to pinellascounty.org. For information about Largo, go to largo.com.

Arbor Day | Pinellas County | Largo | Florida Botanical Gardens | TB Reporter

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