WaterMatters Magazine Archive

Volunteers are a valuable resource for the District, which is why several groups and one individual who take part in the District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program were recognized at the Governing Board’s…

It was all treats and no tricks as the District, Polk County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection celebrated the grand opening of Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at the Circle B Bar Reserve…

Ken Herd, water supply program director, Resource Projects Department A District employee with more than 20 years experience in regional water supply development will continue to make an impact in the field…

Homebuilders in the District will soon have an edge over their competitors through a new certification program that will bring “gold” to “green” homebuilding practices. The District’s Florida Water Star℠…

Pati Twardosky, husband Ron and son Nick. Art has always been a part of Pati Twardosky’s life. In fact, she never considered any other profession. Growing up in Boonton, N.J., her family took…

Eric Layton, sales executive, shows Zep Superior Solutions’ GreenLink products to David Otto, Buyer 2; and Ralph Tack, fleet services manager. The District allowed Zep Superior Solutions to hold an open house…

Top left: Junior high students spent the day fishing. Putting the worm on the hook was a test for some! Top right: Joseph Verdi gets an up-close view of the watershed model. Lower left: Alexis Verdi studies…

Left: Aerial photo of hog damage at the District’s Myakka River—Schewe Tract in Sarasota County. Right: Hog damage on District’s Upper Hillsborough—Alston Tract in Pasco County. Beginning Oct. 13,…

Left: Kayakers waited to take part in the first “official” paddle at Robinson Preserve. Center: Visitors can enjoy views like this from the new observation tower (right). Manatee County residents and visitors…

Tammy Antoine, Employee Committee president, and Maureen McNiff, customer relationships manager, present the Shining Star award to Donna Brooks, senior administrative assistant (center). For Donna Brooks…

Small general permits and general water use permit holders can now take care of all their permitting needs on the District’s Water Management Information System. The system is being designed to centralize…

Left: The loader machine strips the branches off the tree, cuts it to length and loads it onto the semitrailer. Center: Trees being loaded onto the semitrailer. Right: Will VanGelder, District senior land…

District staff is asking agricultural and recreational water use permit holders for their input on how the District can make the online permit data submittal process more user-friendly. Reported permit data…

Residents enjoy the park’s new boardwalk. Judy Whitehead, Governing Board member, tells how she has enjoyed going to the park all her life. The District and Hernando County celebrated the completion of the…

J.D. Durham, behavioral specialist at Moore-Mickens Education Center, shows Mary Margaret Hull, lead communications coordinator, and Mary Alice Makoid, communications coordinator, the hydroponics garden her…

Dave Orner, District facilities and construction project administrator, and Mark Leytze, District facilities and construction service manager, recently completed the LEED professional accreditation program.…

Lonnie Taylor, aquatic plant management crew leader, educated students about invasive aquatic plants. More than 70 students between the ages of 9 and 18 converged upon the District’s “Green Scene” during the…

Members of the Calusa Lakes & Woodland Trail Homeowners Association in Venice are briefed on how to install Florida-friendly landscaping and a micro-irrigation system. Before clearing a pond of unwanted,…

Ian Smith, Learning Gate Community School student, and Heidi McCree, former Governing Board member, admire the trailer billboard featuring Smith. Volunteers who give their time to help the District maintain…

The District is building upon the success of its award-winning Water Conservation Hotel And Motel Program (Water CHAMP) by launching a new companion program for restaurants. The Water Program for Restaurant…

From left: Lake Panasoffkee, Rainbow River, Clam Bayou and Tampa Bypass Canal During the spring, the District has experienced an influx of new Governing Board members. This change in leadership has led to the…

Small portion of debris removed from area sinkholes. The District has completed a three-year project to improve water quality in the District’s springs by removing debris from sinkholes and areas with high…

Jarrod Bonnick says being able to participate in the hunt helped his rehabilitation. Hunters and volunteers celebrate the end of a successful day of hunting. A partnership between the District and the…

Governing Board Chair Neil Combee The new Governing Board chair’s handshake is firm and dry, his gaze direct and steady. It’s easy to picture him as a linebacker at Lakeland High School, zeroing in on the…

Judy Whitehead, Governing Board member and former chair, presents Patsy Symons, Tom Dabney and Heidi McCree with plaques in honor of their service on the Governing Board. The District’s Governing Board…