Volunteers invited to plant trees on District's Lake Panasoffkee property for Florida Arbor Day

News Release

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is inviting volunteers to the District's "Lake Panasoffkee(Lake Panasoffkee property)":/recreation/areas/lakepanasoffkee.html property in Sumter County to plant trees on "Florida Arbor Day(Florida Arbor Day)":http://www.arborday.org/states/?state=FL, Friday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The District is planting several hundred trees, including live oaks and long leaf pines, in and around the Lake Panasoffkee camping area to increase and improve animal habitat and enhance the experience for visitors who use the property.

The property is located at 7519 NW 18th Way west of Wildwood. The entrance to the property is on the south side of SR 44, about 2 1/2 miles east of CR 470 and west of I-75. The District recommends that volunteers wear outdoor apparel and work gloves to the planting event, and bring shovels and post-hole diggers if they are available. Other recommended items include a hat and/or sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray and water. Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register with the District at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4756.

The property was acquired by the District to preserve Lake Panasoffkee's vast floodplain forest. It has an equestrian camping area including eight horse stalls and 18 miles of multiuse trails marked for horseback riding or hiking. The property is Site 54 on the western section of the "Great Florida Birding Trail(Great Florida Birding Trail)":http://floridabirdingtrail.com/. Separate camping sites are available for primitive and group camping, and there is a large pavilion with picnic tables and grills in the day use area. Restrooms are available near the pavilion.

"National Arbor Day(Arbor Day)":http://www.arborday.org is the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates according to their best tree-planting times. Florida Arbor Day is held each year on the third Friday in January.