Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Award

ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Alachua County Environmental Protection Department’s (EPD) Water Resources Program received the Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Award from the Rotary of Downtown Gainesville. The award highlighted Program Manager Stacie Greco’s leadership in developing EPD’s water conservation program, which is a statewide leader for innovative water conservation. Skiles was a well-known cave diver, explorer, cinematographer and director, who died in 2010 while diving off Boynton Beach, Florida.

Chris Bird, former EPD Director, was also acknowledged for his accomplishments during his 27 years leading the Department. Under Chris’s leadership and guidance, Alachua County became recognized in the state and nationally for its strong wetland and natural resource protection standards and resource conservation accomplishments.

The award included a cash prize, which the Rotary Club used to purchase a display at the County Administration Building to continue communicating the importance of conserving water resources.

Regarding the award, Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Water Conservation Coordinator Stacie Greco said, “This award really belongs to the whole Water Resources Division because it takes an amazing team to protect our water.” She continued, “Chris Bird put EPD on the map and on a great trajectory with his incredible efforts and determination. We are lucky to have Stephen Hofstetter as our current director and our dedicated Commissioners as we take on new challenges like climate change.”

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