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On October 8th, 6-8:30 PM at the Cade Museum, Wes Skiles’ memory will be honored at the 12th annual Wine to Water/Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Awards. The event includes recognition of this year’s award winners and a keynote presentation Allen Skinner is the owner of Soil Life Organics, LLCAllen’s company is dedicated to helping customers optimize their soil conditions to get the best results of what they are growing whether it be food crops, turf, landscaping or horticulture. He has over 14 years of soil fertility analysis experience with a focus on soil biology. He is a certified Soil Food Web Consultant through Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Certification Program (www.soilfoodweb.com). He completed a three-year Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) studying soil biology at White Harvest Farms in Jacksonville, Florida that uses the methods taught in Dr. Ingham’s program. He is a National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Soil Health Champion. He recently received the “Service to Agriculture Award” for Duval County, FL for 2022. When not working in his consulting business, he manages the soil health and organic nutrient management program at White Harvest Farms which is a no-till, urban vegetable farm.
Florida has the largest convergence of freshwater springs on the planet and one of the most impressive natural wonders are the underwater caves. Alachua County’s own Wes C. Skiles began diving at age 8 and quickly became internationally recognized for his accomplishments in underwater filming and springs conservation awareness.
Tragically, Skiles died while on a dive off Boynton Beach in 2010. He was posthumously awarded “Explorer of the Year” in 2011 by National Geographic. Wes had multiple photos published in multiple issues of National Geographic including the Award winning cover shot in August 2010. Wes was a frequent and entertaining speaker at the Downtown Gainesville Club which led the club to focus on Clean Water as one of their main focus points.
For the past 11 years, The Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Awards recognizes exceptional efforts in improving water quality and conservation in the North Florida area. Nominations from Rotarians and former award winners are accepted in the categories of an individual, a non-profit organization, and a for profit business that demonstrates exceptional achievements in water stewardship. The winners are presented with a plaque and cash prize for their extraordinary work and accomplishments at the event.
Wes Skiles’ family continues to live in High Springs, Florida and Skiles’ brother Jim is an active member of the Rotary Club - Downtown Gainesville. Water & Sanitation and Supporting the Environment are two of Rotary International's seven areas of focus and since 2012, the Downtown Gainesville club has promoted good water stewardship through hosting this event and supporting other water related projects.
Ticket are on sale! Just visit https://rotary-club-of-downtown-gainesville.square.site
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601-7928, United States,Gainesville, Florida
Tickets
