WARE East Tampa is a pilot collaboration involving USF, Young Magnet Middle School and the East Tampa Community.

Stormwater retention ponds play a vital role in flood and pollution control in communities throughout Florida and volunteer community programs have been successful at reducing local pollutant loads and maintaining pond health. This P3 award will establish a collaborative mechanism involving the University of South Florida, Young Middle Magnet School and East Tampa community members that effectively raises environmental awareness in East Tampa using stormwater ponds as an initial focal point.

Outputs from this project are:

• a) curriculum developed for students at Young Middle Magnet
• b) stormwater retention pond demonstration modules and tour
• c) baseline water quality data collection for three retention ponds in East Tampa and establishment of a sustainable water monitoring program
• d) preliminary assessment of sediment heavy metal concentrations;
• e) a report with proposed activities needed to advance this project. Participant surveys will be conducted at various times over the course of the project to evaluate its effectiveness.

For pictures click here.

Updates on activities related to this project:

• November 21st 2008: ESW-USF will participate in the Great American Teach In at Young Middle Magnet.
• August 16th, 2008: ESW participated in the East Tampa Community Survival Day which attracted over 1,000 community members. The ESW booth provided brochures and information on energy tips, water conservation measures, chemicals in the home etc.. Many ofthe handouts were obtained from watermatters.org. The booth also had hands on activities related to stormwater ponds and water treatment processes which proved to be attractive activities for the kids and young adults.
• April 2008: ESW-USF participated in the career fai held at Young Middle Magnet.