More than 500 volunteers who spend thousands of hours a year helping the Southwest Florida Water Management District maintain and improve public lands, as well as restore Tampa Bay, were honored this weekend during the District’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Day.
The celebration was held at the District’s Lake Panasoffkee property and featured an awards presentation, exhibits, live music, a picnic lunch and a nature hike.
Approximately 450 volunteers are involved with the District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program and more than 70 volunteers are involved with the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program.
Land Resources Volunteers
Land volunteers play an important role in maintaining the District’s many recreational trails and campgrounds, which makes the District’s public lands more accessible and enjoyable.
The land resources volunteer program tracks volunteers’ hourly contributions and honors a volunteer or organization when that person or organization reaches an established milestone. During the celebration volunteers were individually recognized and received plaques, shirts and caps. The program’s established milestones are 50, 100, 200, 300, 500 and 1,000 service hours.
“Since the adoption of the District’s volunteer program in 1995, volunteers have worked with District staff and contributed more than 25,000 hours to
enhance recreation opportunities on conservation lands,” said Will Miller, land use and protection manager.
SWIM Program Volunteers
The volunteers who work with the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program play an important role in restoring Tampa Bay. More than 70 volunteers from five different groups were involved with SWIM restoration projects during the past year.
About half of the SWIM program volunteers are associated with the Tampa Bay Watch Marsh Grow-Out Program, which involves students growing plants at their school nurseries and then planting them at restoration sites.
“The volunteers who aid us in the restoration of Tampa Bay and are saving taxpayers money represent all ages,” said Brandt Henningsen, District chief environmental scientist. “We have everyone from grade-school students to retired citizens come out and join us.”
Without volunteers for these restoration projects, the District would have to pay a contractor to grow and to install the plants at the restoration sites.
Volunteer Appreciation Day Awards 2007
Group Awards
Citrus County
Withlapopka Civic Association
Approximately 60 volunteers have spent countless hours raising money and constructing Withlapopka Community Park, located within the Flying Eagle Preserve. The association continues to help the District maintain the park.
Citrus County Airboat Alliance
Volunteers constructed and maintain the airboat site at the District’s Potts Preserve. The group also regularly trims the multi-use trails there.
Hillsborough County
Interbay Glover YMCA
Fifteen volunteers worked with Tampa Bay Watch to install 500 marsh grass plugs at the Braided Tidal Creek phase of the Cockroach Bay project, which is part of the Tampa Bay Estuarine Ecosystem.
St. John’s Episcopal School
Forty volunteers worked with Tampa Bay Watch to install 840 plugs of marsh grass at the Schultz Preserve, which is part of the Tampa Bay Estuarine Ecosystem.
Manatee County
Ed Chance Volunteers
Volunteers help maintain the Edward W. Chance Reserve Gilley Creek Tract.
Pasco County
Bay City Flyers Inc.
Bay City flyers constructed the Radio Control Airplane site at the District’s Conner Preserve and continue to maintain the park to high standards. They also host several public events throughout the year.
Hillsborough and Pinellas County
Tampa Bay Watch
Martha Garcia and 10 Tampa Bay Watch volunteers worked with the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program to coordinate two marsh plantings using two different volunteer groups. The Tampa Bay Watch “Bay Grasses in Classes” marsh nursery grow-out program for public schools also plays an important role in the restoration of the Tampa Bay Estuarine Ecosystem
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg Audubon Society
Three volunteers with the group continue to conduct maintenance activities, including the removal of non-native plants, on five upland areas of the Clam Bayou restoration project, which is part of the Tampa Bay Estuarine Ecosystem.
Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
Two volunteers with the group continue to conduct maintenance activities, including the removal of non-native plants, on five upland areas of the Clam Bayou restoration project, which is part of the Tampa Bay Estuarine Ecosystem.
Individual Awards
Pasco County
Margaret and Joe Willis
The couple is being recognized for being outstanding campground hosts at the District’s Green Swamp West. The Willis’ return year after year and are highly regarded by many campers.
Polk County
Sean Thomas
Thomas is an Eagle Scout who made the picnic shelter at the District’s Hampton Tract, which is part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, accessible by forming, pouring, and finishing a concrete slap at both entrance doors. The Flatlanders, which is an equestrian group, helped Thomas with the project.
Sumter County
Jeff and Barb Mullins
The couple is being recognized for being outstanding campground hosts at the District’s Lake Panasoffkee site. The Mullins’ are first-time hosts this year and have received positive reviews from everyone who meets them.
Certificates of Recognition
The following individuals and groups are being recognized for volunteering to cook for and assist with events for disabled outdoor enthusiasts. The events are a partnership between the District and Wheelin’ Sportsmen.
Hillsborough County
WYME volunteers
Hillsborough and Pasco Counties
South Creek Foxhounds
Manatee County
The Stricklands
Pasco County
Pasco Posse
Polk County
Jimbo’s Bar B-Q
Flatlanders
Tim Moss
Kevin Noran
Florida Sport Horse Club
Pasco and Polk Counties
Free Spirit Mustang Club