Who:Representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Land Resources Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hernando County Planning Department, Hernando County Audubon Society and volunteers
What:As part of the 15th Annual National Public Lands Day, the District’s Land Resources Department is coordinating a volunteer work day at the Weekiwachee Preserve, which is located along the Hernando County Coast, west of the Weeki Wachee River. Volunteers will help District staff collect native plant seed for future restoration projects.
When:Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Additional Information:Volunteers should dress for possible wet conditions, wear appropriate shoes, pants and a hat and/or sunglasses. Lunch will be provided at Bud McKethan Park in Brooksville after the event. Volunteers do not have to pre-register and should carpool if possible.
District On-site Contact:Kim DeVary, land use and protection specialist, 352-279-3891 (cell)
Directions:Take U.S. 19 north to Osowaw Boulevard and turn left, go approximately 1.5 miles until you see the entrance on your right.
Weekiwachee Preserve volunteer cleanup
•The Weekiwachee Preserve is located along the Hernando County coast, west of the Weeki Wachee River.
•The District began to acquire the preserve in 1994 with funding from the Save Our Rivers, Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever Programs.
•The 11,000-acre preserve is made up of a variety of habitats including several miles of Weeki Wachee River frontage, portions of the Mud River, dense hardwood swamps, fresh and saltwater marshes, and pine-covered sandhills.
•The volunteer cleanup is a cooperative effort among the District’s Land Resources Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hernando County Planning Department, Hernando County Audubon Society and volunteers.
•The cleanup will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Volunteers should dress for possible wet conditions and wear appropriate shoes, pants and a hat and/or sunglasses. Lunch will be provided at Bud McKethan Park in Brooksville after the event.
•Volunteers do not have to pre-register and should carpool if possible.
•Volunteers may enter the preserve at the Osowaw Boulevard entrance, which is located approximately 1.5 miles off U.S. 19 in Spring Hill.
Public Lands Facts
•One-third of America’s 600 million acres of land is in public hands. While these lands protect water quality, conserve water and provide fish and wildlife habitat, they also provide a place for people to hike, bike, hunt, fish, climb, swim, explore or just relax.
•One-fourth of Florida’s 34,721,280 acres is conservation land managed by local, state or federal agencies.
•The District has protected more than 431,000 acres of conservation land, which was acquired by the District and its partners to protect Florida’s water resources. More than 337,000 acres are open to the public for a variety of recreational activities. The remaining is in private ownership but is protected through conservation easements.
•Each year more than two million people visit District lands.
•In 2007, approximately 110,000 volunteers from every state participated in National Public Lands Day at 1,300 locations.
•Each year volunteers spend thousands of hours helping the District maintain and improve public lands, as well as restore Tampa Bay.