News in Brief

Shinn Ditch Restoration Project Wins National Award

The North American Lake Management Society presented its 2010 Technical Merit Award to the District for work on the Shinn Ditch restoration project in the District’s Flying Eagle Preserve in Citrus County.

Shinn Ditch was originally intended to improve land for agricultural use by draining water from the property into the Withlacoochee River. The restoration project consisted of a series of blocks within the ditch, construction of ponds to create littoral shelf habitat, and other modifications. The project resulted in the rehydration of more than 1,300 acres of wetlands. Funding for the project was provided by the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The mission of the North American Lake Management Society is to forge partnerships among citizens, scientists and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs.

Extreme Running Event Returns to Green Swamp

Running Fit, a Michigan-based trail running group, is holding its third annual extreme running event in the District’s Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve West Tract on Feb. 12.

The Dances With Dirt Green Swamp event features trail runs through some of the less traveled parts of the Green Swamp. Planned race lengths include 50-mile, 50-kilometer and 10-kilometer runs; a half and full marathon; and a 5-person, 50-mile relay. Event registration will take place inside the West Tract main entrance at 13347 Ranch Road in Dade City.

Running Fit organizes four extreme running events around the country each year. Other events take place in Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Last year’s Green Swamp event included runners who ranged in age from 16 to 74 and hailed from 22 states and one Canadian province, with runners traveling from as far as Washington State.

To register for the race, visit the event web site at www.dwdgreenswamp.com.For information, call Running Fit at (734) 929-9027.

WaterMatters TV on YouTube Adds to Internet Presence

The new WaterMatters TV channel on the YouTube video-sharing network has added to the District’s presence on the Internet.

You can find the new resource at WaterMatters.org/youtube. The channel’s first video features the District’s Potts Preserve in Citrus County. More videos are planned to go online in the future.

WaterMatters TV adds to the District’s social networking presence. You can find regular updates to District happenings on Facebook at WaterMatters.org/facebook/. Tweeters can stay up to date on the District at WaterMatters.org/twitter. You can find links to these sites and more in-depth information on the District at the District’s WaterMatters.org web site.

If you want to view issues of WaterMatters Magazine online, visit the District’s web site at WaterMatters.org/watermatters/.