Lehigh Acres’ East County Water Control District (ECWCD) has been awarded a Meritorious Water

Conservation Award for Excellence in Public Education/Community Relations by the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association for the grand opening of the Jim Fleming Ecological Park.

The Conservation Awards program recognizes outstanding achievements in

water efficiency throughout Florida for programs implemented within the last three years. Three levels of awards are presented each year by the water use efficiency in categories of public education/ community relations; water

supply management, and demand management.

The grand opening of the Fleming Park gave ECWCD the ability educate community members about the role wetlands play in water efficiency, quality, and storage, said David Lindsay, ECWCD’s executive director.

He said the grand opening established a link between nature and local residents through education on water management practices.

Fleming had been a long-time member of the ECWCD board of commissioners before his death a few years ago.