<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p><p>Contact: Dan Willis (352) 273-3641/1-800-525-3928 Florida LAKEWATCH Seeks Highlands County Volunteers!</p><p>Gainesville--Florida LAKEWATCH is looking for Highlands County residents who are ready to roll up their sleeves, get their elbows wet, and make a valuable contribution to the future of Florida lakes. If you have a boat (almost any kind) and a couple of free hours every month you may be a candidate for the Florida LAKEWATCH volunteer lake monitoring program. </p><p>Dan Willis, Florida LAKEWATCH Regional Coordinator for Highlands County, describes how the program works. "Florida LAKEWATCH trains volunteers across the state to collect water and algae samples, and water clarity information that can be used to document a lake's nutrient levels. Over time, baseline data are established, providing citizens and water managers with a useful tool for managing lakes." </p><p>There are over 65 lakes, rivers and creeks in Highlands County that have historically participated in the LAKEWATCH program and many more lakes that are used for fishing, water skiing, boating, and other types of recreation. Becoming a LAKEWATCH volunteer is one more way to enjoy your lake and learn more about it at the same time. </p><p>In return for their participation, volunteers receive individualized training in monitoring procedures, supplies and use of sampling materials, periodic reports of their monthly data--including an annual report concerning their waterbody, quarterly educational newsletters, access to aquatic sciences experts at the University of Florida, and invitations to regularly scheduled LAKEWATCH activities and annual county meetings.</p><p>Florida LAKEWATCH is coordinated through the Program of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Florida. Anyone interested in monitoring a lake in the Highlands County area should call Dan Willis at 1-800-525-3928. Volunteers will be trained on a first come, first serve basis.</p><p>Florida LAKEWATCH Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences/School of Forest Resources and Conservation 7922 NW 71ST Street Gainesville, FL 32653-3071 (352) 392-4817 Fax (352) 392-4902 Citizen Message Line: 1-800-LAKEWATCH (1-800 -525-3928) E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu</p>