LAKELAND, Fla. — In the 2019 budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved several appropriation requests from Polk County legislators. 

• Se7en Wetlands receives funding for educational center
• Florida Polytechnic University's Advanced Mobility Institute also gets funding
• More Polk County headlines

Topping the list, $500,000 to fund Florida Polytechnic University's Advanced Mobility Institute, which is where autonomous vehicle research is expected to take place. 

Polk State College also received $1.25 million in operational supports and $2.54 million in access to academic and workforce programs, according to the District Chief Legislative Aide in Sen. Kelli Stargel's office. 

Another big win, especially for nature lovers, was Lakeland's Se7en Wetlands receiving $500,000 to construct an educational center at the waste water treatment facility. 

Established more than 30 years ago, the facility opened to the public in April 2018, with hiking trails for hikers to enjoy.

"We're excited that we did not make the veto list this year for sure," said Environmental Program Specialist Julie Vogel. 

Gov. Rick Scott approved funding for the facility in 2016 and 2017, but vetoed $800,000 in funding in 2018. The money was going to fund constructing trails on the other five wetlands on the property and opening them up to the public. 

The educational center will teach people about the water cycle and how the wetlands help suck up excess nutrients from the treated water before it flows back into the ocean, helping to prevent things such as Red Tide.

Se7en Wetlands has received multiple awards including the Public Education Award from the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA), according to Vogel. 

No date has been set yet for when construction will begin on the center. 

Here's a complete list: