Rain showers didn’t stop a chili cook-off celebrating the beginning of Water Conservation Month at a O’Leno State Park this weekend.
Despite the weather, both chili and environment lovers gathered at the O’Leno Ole’ Chili Cook-Off and Springs Celebration on Saturday to ring in the month with music, booths and a chili competition.
The cook-off, now in its sixth year, was a fundraiser for upgrades to the nature center at the park, located at 410 SE O’Leno Park Road in High Springs, said Ed Bisch, president of Friends of O’Leno.
Judges awarded points to qualify members to attend an international chili championship in Texas, said Candi Arevalo, the “Great Pepper,” or president, of the Sunshine State Chili Pod.
Stacie Greco, water conservation coordinator at the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, said local government and state agencies decided on April for Water Conservation Month because it is one of the driest months of the year.
Greco said the quickest way to reduce residential water consumption is to lower irrigation usage and switch to Florida-friendly landscaping.
“Within the home, you can switch to a low-flow toilet or challenge yourself to take a shower in under five minutes,” she said.
Sam Cole, a park services specialist at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, held a yellow rat snake named Sarabi while teaching attendees about the environment and wildlife. He said there are more than 700 springs in Florida, “and they are the first to show signs of water quality damage.”
[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 3/31/2014 under the headline "Chili cook-off celebrates conservation"]
