It towers more than 10 stories and its canopy shades various species deep in the Green Swamp in Polk County.
Volunteers from the Tampa Bay Sea Aquarium, University of Tampa, and Sexton and 74th Street elementary schools picked air potatoes during a r
Gov. Rick Scott (right) with new Governing Board appointee George Mann.
Governing Board member Wendy J. Griffin.
Community leaders flip the switch on the new phase of the pipeline project.
New trail maps and other information have been added to the kiosks on District properties to enrich the experience for guests.
The District recently launched a campaign to encourage residents who irrigate their lawns to skip a week of watering during December, January and February.
They pedaled, paddled and paraded through the pristine property.
Photo Courtesy Jason Polk
Beneath your feet exists a part of Florida few ever see but all should value.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 19-21.
Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 25 permits for this hunt have been sold.
Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve is located at 15430 SW Highway 484 in Dunnellon.
This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being caused to the natural habitats.
The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause exceeds unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.
Feral hogs live throughout Florida in various habitats, but prefer moist forests and swamps, as well as pine flatwoods. They are omnivorous and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. In fact, they can leave an area looking like a plowed field.
Feral hogs are not native to Florida and are believed to have been introduced by explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as 1539. They can weigh more than 300 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.
For more information, please call the District’s Land Management section at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4466 or visit WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.
