Blog Archive
District Responds to Hurricane Irma
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While the winds and rain of Hurricane Irma could be felt across the District for three days, the preparation and response went far beyond that time frame for District staff.
As…
Governing Board Re-Elects Officers
: Michael Babb will remain the chair of the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Governing Board voted today to keep its current officers.
The other officer…
Meet the Springs Experts
: The District has added several new members to its Springs Team, which is leading the effort to improve water clarity and habitat in west-central Florida’s springs. The team includes a diverse group of…
Take These Steps at Home to Protect Springs During Springs Protection Awareness Month
: The District’s Governing Board, along with the Florida Legislature and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month. There are many actions you can take…
District Seeks Public Input for the Withlacoochee River Watershed Initiative
: Residents are invited to give input on the District’s Withlacoochee River Watershed Initiative during a series of public workshops.
The initiative is a multi-year effort designed to better understand the…
Governing Board Recognizes 2015 Springs Community Partners
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The Governing Board declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month at today’s Governing Board meeting.
The move is part of the District’s ongoing effort to restore and…
District's Aerial Burn an Exercise in Efficiency
: District staff recently held an aerial prescribed burn at the Green Swamp. The burn was held in conjunction with the Florida Forest Service as an ongoing effort to share resources with other agencies.
Aerial…
Students Compete in Envirothon
: They tackled topics that ranged from soils and forestry to aquatics and wildlife.
Hundreds of students from several counties recently participated in the 2015 Nature Coast Regional Envirothon at Crews Lake…
Check Your Irrigation Timer When You Spring Forward to Daylight Saving Time
: When you reset those clocks this weekend for the start of Daylight Saving Time, don’t forget to check the timers on your irrigation system controllers.
Sunday is when we reset the clocks forward one…
Students Study Water on Field Trip
: Students at All Saints Academy in Polk County got to experience the water cycle first-hand on a recent rainy-day field trip to Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland.
The rain didn’t prevent the fourth- and fifth-…
Volunteers Plant Trees at Conner Preserve
: About 30 volunteers recently came out to Conner Preserve in Pasco County to plant 2,000 longleaf pines.
Volunteers were members of Lutz Boy Scout Troop 12, the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club and Lutz/Land O…
District Hosts Paddle at Rainbow River
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Dozens of paddlers recently joined the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition team on their excursion along the Rainbow River.
The District recently hosted the Rainbow…
District Hosts Trail Mixer to Support the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition
: Paddlers have a chance to be part of history and join the members of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition on their excursion along the Rainbow River.
The District is hosting a Trail Mixer in…
District Asks Homeowners to "Skip A Week" of Irrigation This Winter
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The District is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February.
According to research by…
Governing Board Approves Conservation Land Acquisition
: The District purchased Boat Spring located near the Gulf of Mexico at the Hernando and Pasco County line. The purchase is part of the District’s ongoing effort to protect water resources.
The spring is part…
Water-Saving Tips Make Holidays Bright
: The District has many last-minute gift and decorating ideas that can save and protect water resources and create new holiday traditions.
Here are some gift ideas:
•…
Permits for Phase 2 Hunts Go On Sale Next Week
: District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the wild hog population and permits for Phase 2 go on sale Monday.
Wild hogs, which are not…
Volunteers Plant Salt Marsh to Restore Rock Ponds
: From toddlers to grandparents, volunteers of all ages recently planted salt marsh at the District’s Rock Ponds restoration site.
About 275 volunteers from across the Tampa Bay area joined the District’s…
Three Sisters Springs Property Open to the Public
: The public can now get an up close look at the beauty and wildlife of Three Sisters Springs by land.
The District’s Three Sisters Springs property in Crystal River is now open daily to the public…
District Certifies Hillsborough County's First Florida Water Star℠ Community
: When the Friendship Village Apartments recently were built in north Tampa, Carlene Dillard jumped at the chance to live there.
“It is so nice and I’m just so happy here,” she said.…
Staff Surpasses Burn Record
: District staff surpassed a record for the amount of acres treated with prescribed fire during Fiscal Year 2014.
The prescribed fire team in the Operations and Land Management Bureau burned 40,603 acres this…
Projects and Partners: District Dedicates First Phase of Restoration
: The first phase of one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects to benefit Charlotte Harbor is complete. District staff and other community leaders recently celebrated the dedication of the first phase.…
South American Students Learn Water Issues From Former Intern
: A former student intern used her District experience to emphasize the importance of fresh, clean water to residents along the Amazon.
Kaylie Kushmer traveled to the…
Staff Work Through Challenging Rainy Season
: This past rainy season proved to be one of the busiest in recent history for the District’s Structure Operations staff.
“It was definitely one of the most difficult seasons in the last 10 years,” said…
Partner Sought to Manage Flying Eagle Nature Center
: The District is looking for a partner to enter into a long-term lease agreement for the development, operation and maintenance of its Flying Eagle Nature Center property.The 150-acre Flying Eagle Nature Center…
District to Hold Series of Hog Hunts, Permits Will Be Available Online
: District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the wild hog population.
Wild hogs, which are not native to Florida, feed on roots, tubors…
Governing Board Approves Conservation Land Acquisition
: The District purchased Boat Spring located near the Gulf of Mexico at the Hernando and Pasco County line. The purchase is part of the District’s ongoing effort to protect water resources.
The spring is part…
District Hosts Boat Tour of Kings Bay
: Cowboys recently cracked their whips and recreated history on District property. The District hosted the Hernando Southern Heritage Days Cracker Cattle Drive at Potts Preserve in Citrus County. The Cracker…
No Sales Tax on Efficient Appliances
: The District reminds residents that qualifying water and energy-efficient appliances will be tax free Sept. 19-21.
The 2014 Sales Tax Holiday is good on the purchase of qualifying ENERGY STAR® and WaterSense…
Springs Restoration Celebrated at City Park Dedication
: District leaders recently attended the dedication of Water Works Park in the City of Tampa, which included the restoration of Ulele Springs.
The 5-acre park is part of the city’s plan to revitalize the…
District Supports Veterans With Recreational Events
: The District recently was recognized for its support of wounded veterans by hosting events on District lands.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam thanked the District by letter for its participation…
Project and Partners: Restoration Project Highlights Partnership
: Habitats are thriving at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa thanks to a District project aimed at restoring natural systems and improving water quality for Tampa Bay. …
District Adds Three Spring Systems to SWIM Priority List
: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved adding three first-magnitude spring systems — Weeki Wachee River, Chassahowitzka River and Homosassa River — to the Surface Water Improvement…
Apply for Splash! Grants
: Whether students are testing water quality, building a water-conserving garden or studying an estuary, Splash! grants enhance water education in public schools.
The District’s Splash! school grant program…
Staff Help With Coral Project in Florida Keys
: District staff and their family members recently took a volunteer trip to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to help transplant coral.
Patricia Williams, senior revenue compliance coordinator,…
District Initiative Promotes ERP eCompliance
: Permittees can now save time and resources by submitting compliance reports online.
With the District’s new Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) eCompliance option, permittees can submit online compliance…
Projects and Partners: District Hosts International Students
: Blog note: Projects and Partners is a WaterMatters Blog series that highlights various innovative projects of the District and its partners to benefit the community and water resources.
They came from…
Projects and Partners: Reclaimed Water Project to Benefit Springs
: Blog note: Projects and Partners is a WaterMatters Blog series that highlights various innovative projects of the District and its partners to benefit the community.
District leaders recently helped celebrate…
Projects and Partners: Marion County Utilities Expands Wastewater Reclamation Facility
: Blog note: Projects and Partners is a WaterMatters Blog series that highlights various innovative projects of the District and its partners to benefit the community.
District leaders recently helped Marion…
New Exhibit Features Chassahowitzka Springs Artifacts
: History buffs can now get an up-close look at the artifacts recovered during the Chassahowitzka Springs Restoration Project.
More than 700 artifacts were recovered during the District’s project, which removed…