Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing and Basin Board members and staff, hundreds of volunteers
What: District volunteers, awards presentation, youth educational activities, picnic lunch, games, hay ride, and live music.
When: Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The award ceremony begins at noon.
Where: Green Swamp West Meeting Facility, 13345 Ranch Road, Dade City, 33525
Why: Volunteers play an important role in the District’s efforts to improve recreation on District lands, restore valuable ecosystems and communicate the values inherent with conserving our natural resources. They help maintain the District’s many recreational trails and campgrounds and assist with Tampa Bay restoration projects on District land.
District Contact: Joe Tyberghein, 800-423-1476, ext. 4477 or 352-279-1625 (cell)
Directions: From Tampa – Take I-75 north to SR-52 (Exit 285); go right on SR-52 to Dade City; turn right off SR-52 onto Meridian Ave.; turn left on US-98 bypass; turn right on River Rd. and go east about 5 miles to Ranch Rd.; cross Withlacoochee River to main entrance.
Volunteer Appreciation Day Awards 2009
Citrus County
Ted Youngblood
Youngblood is being recognized for helping to maintain the Florida Trail in Potts Preserve.
James Massey
Massey is being recognized for helping to maintain the Florida Trail in Potts Preserve and his work with the Citrus County Airboat Alliance.
Brennen Hippiag
Hippiag is being recognized for helping to maintain the Florida Trail in Potts Preserve.
Mitch Almon
Almon is being recognized for helping to maintain the Florida Trail in Potts Preserve.
Neil Fox
Fox is being recognized for helping to maintain the Florida Trail in Potts Preserve.
Skip Neill
Neill is being recognized for helping to maintain the Florida Trail in Potts Preserve.
Bobby Chandler
Chandler is being recognized for his help maintaining the Withlapopka Community Park, which is part of the District’s Flying Eagle Preserve.
Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties
Jeff & Barb Mullins
The Mullins’ are being recognized for two years of service as camp hosts at Lake Panosoffkee.
D.J. Niethammer
Niethammer is being recognized for his dedication to the District and for being available to help whenever he is called.
John Holzwart
Holzwart is being recognized for helping maintain equestrian trails in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties.
DeSoto County
DeSoto County Parks and Recreation Department
The county department is being recognized for providing outstanding recreational opportunities for the public at Deep Creek Preserve.
Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority
The Authority is being recognized for rebuilding the equestrian trails and providing operational support at the RV Griffin Reserve.
Hernando County
The Beagles
This band is being recognized for providing entertainment at District functions, including the annual Volunteer Appreciation Day, for several years.
Hillsborough County
Chito Champs
This volunteer group is being recognized for providing food, time and equipment to get Chito Branch Reserve ready to open to the public.
Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) Environmental Health & Safety Department
TECO arranged for two volunteer marsh grass plantings for the Newman Branch restoration project, involving two classes of fourth- and fifth-graders.
Ruskin Elementary School 4th Grade Classes
200 students, teachers and chaperones worked with Tampa Bay Watch to install 3,400 plugs of marsh grass at the Newman Branch Creek restoration project.
RCMA Academy of Wimauma
20 students, teachers and chaperones worked with Tampa Bay Watch to install 1,000 plugs of marsh grass at the Newman Branch Creek restoration project.
Busch Gardens Team Members
44 volunteers from Busch Gardens installed 1,250 one- to three-gallon upland plants over two days at the Schultz Preserve restoration project.
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 three marsh and one upland planting using several different volunteer and funding 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. One planting involved the purchase of 740 red mangroves through a donation from the NFL Host Committee associated with Super Bowl XLIII.
Manatee County
Frog Creek Friends
This volunteer group is being recognized for maintaining the Frog Creek area.
Ed Chance Volunteers
This volunteer group is being recognized for maintaining the District’s Gilley Creek tract.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWCC) Marine Stock Enhancement Program
The FWCC is being recognized for coordinating the harvest of marsh plants from their marsh grow-out pond and delivery to SWIM restoration sites. Among others, FWCC works with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Manatee County jail inmates volunteer to harvest marsh grasses for volunteer plantings.
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
The sheriff’s office is being recognized for providing volunteer inmates from the county jail to harvest marsh grasses from the FWCC marsh grow-out pond.
Pasco County
Eric Miller
Miller is being recognized for completing his Eagle Scout project at the District’s Serenova Tract. The project involved constructing a wheelchair accessible dock.
Bay City Fliers
This group is being recognized for their support and preparation for the District’s grand opening celebration at Conner Preserve.
Bruce Baltera
Baltera is being recognized for outstanding maintenance support at Conner Preserve.
Ken Sutton
Sutton is being recognized for his support of District programs and facilities at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.
WYME Trailblazers
This equestrian group is being recognized for its support of District programs and facilities at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.
Don Hillman
Hillman is being recognized for helping maintain the Florida National Scenic Trail in Green Swamp West Wilderness Preserve.
Beth Bodenstein
Bodenstein is being recognized for helping maintain the Florida National Scenic Trail in Green Swamp West Wilderness Preserve.
Joe and Margaret Willis
The Willis’ are being recognized for seven years of service as camp hosts at the Green Swamp West Wilderness Preserve.
Sarasota County
Sarasota County Natural Resources Department
The county’s department is being recognized for providing outstanding recreational opportunities for the public at Deer Prairie Creek.