Santa Barbara -- During this holiday season, help our environment by recycling your Christmas tree. No matter where you live in Santa Barbara County, it's free and easy to recycle your Christmas tree. Just remember to follow these tips

December 2 through 6 is Flood Awareness Week in Santa Barbara County. As part of this year's public outreach, the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District will be hosting a public workshop regarding issues relating to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Santa Barbara County's annual surface treatment project is scheduled to begin October 31, 2013. This approximately $2.3 million contract with Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc. is part of the County's Pavement Preservation Program, and will resurface approximately 42 lane miles of County maintained roads.

The Public Works Department invites you to a ribbon cutting event where you can look forward to hearing County Supervisor Doreen Farr, County Sheriff Bill Brown, and other special guests speak on the project that improves the safety of Isla Vista just in time for Halloween. In the spirit of Halloween, there will be candy.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District awarded a $6,748,165.00 contract March 28 to John Madonna Construction Co., Inc., a San Luis Obispo-based small business, for levee improvement work within Santa Maria, Calif.

The first annual WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest is being launched this spring to promote attractive and water efficient gardens in the County. The Santa Barbara County Water Agency and participating local water providers are encouraging residents to apply for the contest online to enter into the running for an agency award and the countywide grand prize.

The Santa Barbara County Water Agency is announcing that voting is underway for a "People's Choice Award" for the annual 2013 WaterWise High School Video Contest. For the first time in the 14-year history of this annual competition, the public is invited to view the 16 submitted videos online and to vote for the "People's Choice Award." Anyone with a Facebook account can vote for their favorite videos by "liking" one or more videos on the Contest's Facebook page, accessible through the www.WaterWiseSB.org home page before the April 10th deadline.

This year, artists of all ages are invited to submit designs for a Creek Week logo! The winning logo will be used for all Creek Week promotional materials. Designs are due Friday, April 5th at 5pm. The winning entry will be announced at the Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20th, and the winner will receive a $100 gift card to Art Essentials, and a Creek Week t-shirt featuring their logo.