On Tuesday, August 8, 2006, three Pasco County residents received Community Steward Awards for their leadership on growth management and environmental issues. The awards were presented at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City at a meeting of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners. 1000 Friends of Florida, the smart growth advocacy group, presents its Community Steward Awards annually to "individuals, organizations, local governments, agencies, and public/private partnerships that have brought about positive change in the way their community manages growth."

Jennifer L. Seney, Director of Pascowildlife, Inc., received a Community Steward Award for her leadership in the successful passage of "Penny for Pasco," a local sales tax referendum for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands. More than 53 percent of Pasco voters supported the referendum when it came up for a vote in March of 2004. Seney now chairs the Environmental Lands Acquisition Selection Committee, which evaluates land for possible county acquisition.

Seney also was honored for her active participation in the local planning process. Her many activities have included leading efforts to establish rural character areas to limit development in the county. She served for five years on the citizen advisory committee that shaped the county's comprehensive plan amendments that were recently transmitted to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for final review.

"I am proud of Pasco County staff, County Commissioners and the people of Pasco for making bold moves to do things differently here," said Seney. She noted that it isn't easy to affect the behavior of a behemoth like county government. But, the Environmental Lands program coupled with the comprehensive plan changes will result in a completely different Pasco County in twenty years. "I'm grateful to have been a part of it."

Nominating Seney for the award were Sue Mullins of The Nature Conservancy, and Pasco County resident Alison Berke-Morano. Wrote Mullins, "The changes Seney has wrought in one Florida county will last forever."

Also receiving a Community Steward award at the August 8 meeting were Pasco County residents Bob and Sharon Blanchard. They were recognized for their environmentally sensitive stewardship of the 1,798-acre Little Everglades Ranch in Green Swamp. The Blanchards have reforested the ranch and put their property under conservation easement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, protecting it from development in perpetuity.

With Sharon as president and Bob serving on the Board of Directors of the Coalition to Protect Our Water Resources (CoPOWR), the Blanchards also have been leaders in protecting the region's water resources. They played a key role in convincing the Board of Tampa Bay Water to reduce groundwater pumping through 2012. Serving as watchdogs, they continue to monitor decisions and make sure agreements regarding water pumping are upheld. Reaching out to conservation groups and landowners, they have helped to create a powerful coalition of advocates for water protection.

The Blanchards credited the Board of County Commissioners, CoPOWR Directors and its membership for their efforts in reducing groundwater pumping, while simultaneously pushing for the development of alternative sources of water. They added, "We also hope that placing our ranch under a Conservation Easement with Southwest Florida Water Management District will encourage other land owners to consider doing an easement for their property."

In nominating the Blanchards, Downtown Dade City Main Street Director Amy Ellis noted that they are preserving their own land and working to protect water resources for the entire region, calling them "role models for citizens and landowners."

Applauding these efforts in Pasco County, Pattison explained that "as a result of effective collaboration between citizens and their local government, positive change is coming to Pasco County."

A statewide nonprofit organization, 1000 Friends was founded in 1986 to serve as Florida's growth management watchdog. It has been presenting awards for innovative growth management efforts since 1990.