WaterMatters Magazine Archive
March–April 2009
Water Conservation Highlighted During Height of Dry Season
The District is taking the state’s annual water conservation efforts in April to another level as the need to conserve is more important than ever.
“April is part of Florida’s dry season and the time when…
District Accepts “Rally for the River” Challenge Award
Pictured from left to right are Ronnie Oliver, Mayor’s Beautification Program director; Raina O’Neil, development director; Debra Evenson, executive director; Virginia Sternberger, District senior…
Green Swamp Hosts Runners Who “Dance With Dirt”
Tom Campbell, Green Swamp marathon winner, planned to bike to Sarasota County after the race.
A group of extreme runners known as “Dances With Dirt” (DWD) are considering a return to the Green Swamp…
Hunts Help the District Control the Wild Hog Population
Hog hunters from Hernando County (left to right) Wade Jenkins, Jason Bibeau and Chris Bibeau.
District land managers say a series of hog hunts held on District lands this winter and spring helped reduce the…
Completed Renovations a Cause to Celebrate
Top left: Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates project completion.
Top right: David Moore, District executive director, and Bob Martinez, former governor, discuss Nature’s Classroom.
Bottom: Bill…
District Assists With Migrating Bird Research
Top: Marianne Korosy conducts her research on migrating birds.
Bottom: Mary Barnwell, senior land management specialist, and Clay Black, senior professional engineer, assisted.
In the early morning…
Rain Barrels Growing in Popularity, Make an Impact on Water Conservation
Hernando County residents who completed a rain barrel class at the county Extension office each took home their own rain barrel.
Darcy Paust used to collect rainwater in buckets placed around her Spring Hill…
Brownies Focus on “Green” Activities
Top: Ryan Bradley, 8, works on the butterfly garden.
Bottom: Christine Owen, Tampa Bay Water water quality assurance officer, led the troop on a tour of the Tampa Bay Water Seawater Desalination…
Eagle Scout Project Improves District Land
Eric Miller (top left) chose to build a wheelchair accessible dock at Serenova for his Eagle Scout project.
An Eagle Scout project has made it possible for disabled anglers to cast their lines at the District…
Visit the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
Above: New observation tower at the preserve.
Below: The view from the tower.
Outdoor enthusiasts have a new preserve to visit in Levy County. The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is 413 acres of…
District Recognized for Commitment
Cheryl Johnson, a member of the District’s Alafia River Basin Board, accepted an award from the DSI Black Pages on the District’s behalf. The award, which was presented in January, recognized the…
Community Celebrates Conner Preserve Grand Opening
Top: David Moore, District executive director, talks to Pasco County students before the ceremony.
Bottom: Rep. Will Weatherford and Ronald Oakley, Governing Board member, discuss land preservation…
January–February 2009
Program Helps Farmers Save Money and Protect Resources
Left: Randy Freeman, civil engineering technician from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, works with the District to save farmers money and protect water…
District Staff Pitches In on Annual Waterways Cleanup
Volunteers participating in cleanup.
More than 50 District employees, Board members and their friends and families were among the hundreds of volunteers taking part in the 21st Annual Hillsborough River…
Yingling to Serve as President of American Water Resources Association Florida Section
Jay Yingling, senior economist, Planning Department
A District employee with more than 23 years of experience in water resource economics has taken the helm of the Florida Section of the American Water…
Davis, Musselmann Honored for Contributions to the District
Above left: Governing Board Chair Neil Combee congratulates former Governing Board Chair Joe Davis on his Lifetime Achievement Award. Above right: District Executive Director David Moore presents Fritz…
Decision-Makers Gather for State of the Water Resources Workshop
Governing Board Chair Neil Combee (second from right) joined former Governing Board chairs Joe Davis, Jim Allen, Mike Zagorac, Judy Whitehead, Tom Dabney, Heidi McCree and Jerry Rice on a discussion panel at…
Governing Board Modifies Turfgrass Restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties
Residents Urged to “Skip a Week” of Irrigation During Cooler Months
The District’s Governing Board voted in December to modify the tightened turfgrass restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas…
Nathe to Receive “Woman of the Year in Agriculture” Award at State Fair
Patsy Nathe, the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board vice chair, was recently named “Woman of the Year in Agriculture” for 2008.
The award, which is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture…
Weeki Wachee Springs Gets a Makeover
A soon-to-be-completed restoration project at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park began as an idea Denise Tenuto had several years ago while waiting in the former attraction’s parking lot to pick up her daughter…
Students Celebrate Shoreline Restoration Project
Left: Maritza Rovira-Forino, Governing Board member and co-chair ex officio of the Hillsborough River Basin Board, joined students in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Right: Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio spoke at the…
Debbie Harper
Charlotte Post, administrative supervisor, and Tammy Antoine, employee committee chair, presented Debbie Harper with the Shining Star award.
Debbie Harper, the most recent shining star recipient, has made…
District Recognizes Educators
The District recently honored 26 water resources education projects at its “Partners in Watershed Education” awards luncheon and conference.
The award-winning projects were completed by teachers and their…
District Teams Up With Lakeland to Promote Water Conservation Programs
Left: Ruffin Gray, City of Lakeland environmental specialist; Nesya Bliss, youth outreach specialist; and Virginia Sternberger, senior communications coordinator, served as actors in one of the water…
May–June 2008
Cooperative Effort Creates Home for Wildlife
A homeless osprey may soon be living “the high life,” thanks to an observant District employee and Tampa Electric.
William Copeland, a senior environmental scientist in the Tampa Regulation Department,…