District’s Alston Tract Closed for Hog Hunts Nov. 8-10

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Alston Tract at Upper Hillsborough Preserve in Pasco County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 8-10.

Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 11 permits for these hunts have been sold.

Alston Tract is located at 42144 Deems Road in Zephyrhills.

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 (813) 375-0665 or visit WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.

 

Subject
Nature & Land

Check Your Irrigation Timer When You ‘Fall Back’ to Standard Time

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers this weekend, which is the end of daylight saving time.

Saturday night is when we will turn our clocks back one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that the systems operate consistently with year-round water conservation measures.

All 16 counties throughout the District’s boundaries are on year-round water conservation measures, with lawn watering limited to twice-per-week unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours. Local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance include Citrus, Hernando, southern Hillsborough, Pasco and Sarasota counties and the cities of Dunedin, Longboat Key, Sarasota and Venice.

Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don’t water just because it’s your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stressed grass:

  • Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard.
  • Grass blades appear blue-gray.
  • Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.

For additional information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Conservation.

 

Subject
Water Conservation

District’s Flying Eagle Nature Center Closed for Hog Hunts Nov. 1-3

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Flying Eagle Nature Center in Citrus County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 1-3.

Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 20 permits for these hunts have been sold.

Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road in Inverness.

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 (813) 375-0665 or visit WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.

 

 

 

Subject
Nature & Land

District Awards Grants to Schools in Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion and Sumter Counties for Water Resources Education Projects

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $107,969 in grants to 58 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The District awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in its northern region:

 

  • Academy of Environmental Science - Ciera Markey (Citrus)
  • Academy of Environmental Science - Jessie Garritano (Citrus)
  • Central High School - Rachel M. Kingdom (Hernando)
  • Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology - Eliza Mantooth (Hernando)
  • Dunnellon Elementary School - Nancy Garvin (Marion)
  • Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School - Allen Ashley (Sumter)
  • Webster Elementary School - Morgan Hansen (Sumter)     
  • Webster Elementary School - Jennifer Lovett (Sumter)       
  • Wildwood Middle High School - Jerry Lipham (Sumter)       
  • Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School - Grace Ashley (Sumter)
  • Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School - Kali Reynolds (Sumter)
  • South Sumter High School - Thomas R Allison (Sumter)
  • Williston Elementary School - Maura Thompson (Levy)       

 

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarian ecosystems, water quality and water conservation. For more information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

 

 

Subject
Education

District Awards Grants to Schools in Highlands County for Water Resources Education Projects

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $107,969 in grants to 58 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The District awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in Highlands County:

 

  • Avon Park High School - Sheri Mccall-Villone
  • Avon Park High School - Victoria Langfeldt
  • Highlands Virtual School - Rita Graham
  • Memorial Elementary School - Angela Brock
  • Memorial Elementary School - Erica Steedley          

 

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarian ecosystems, water quality and water conservation. For more information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

 

 

 

 

Subject
Education

District Awards Grants to Schools in Hillsborough County for Water Resources Education Projects

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $107,969 in grants to 58 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The District awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in Hillsborough County:

 

  • Chamberlain High School - Michael Sipes    
  • East Bay High School - Michelle Laycock     
  • King High School - Stephen Kelly     
  • Learning Gate Community School - Heidi Hughes and Adam Wolford           
  • Liberty Middle School - Dottie Urbanek-Nash           
  • South County Career Acceleration Academy - Ryan Johnson-Lerch  
  • Tampa Bay Technical High School - Julie Sackles  
  • Terrace Community Middle School - Elizabeth Mila 
  • Wharton High School - Christi Atkinson        
  • Wilson Middle School - Jerry John Comellas

 

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarian ecosystems, water quality and water conservation. For more information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

 

 

Subject
Education

District Awards Grants to Schools in Manatee and Sarasota Counties for Water Resources Education

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $107,969 in grants to 58 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The District awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in Manatee and Sarasota counties:

 

  • Bayshore High School - John Silva (Manatee)
  • Manatee High School - Boontarika Elswick (Manatee)
  • Palmetto High School - Natalie Richard (Manatee)
  • Parrish Community High School - Allison Knaust (Manatee)           
  • Parrish Community High School - Savanna Finley (Manatee)
  • Bay Haven School of Basics Plus - Jelena Stojicevic (Sarasota)
  • Emma E. Booker Elementary School - Andrew Jaffee (Sarasota)
  • Englewood Elementary School - Kim Woike (Sarasota)
  • Englewood Elementary School - Lauren Hanrahan (Sarasota)
  • Lamarque Elementary School - Jennifer Dehart (Sarasota)
  • North Port High School - Zachary Ward (Sarasota)
  • Phillippi Shores IB World School - Suzette Trapani (Sarasota)
  • Suncoast Polytechnical High School - Nina Henderson (Sarasota)

 

Grants are available for freshwater resources field studies, water-conserving garden projects, community or school awareness campaigns and on-site workshops. For more information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

 

Subject
Education

District Awards Grants to Schools in Pasco and Pinellas Counties for Water Resources Education Projects

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $107,969 in grants to 58 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The District awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in Pasco and Pinellas counties:

 

  • East Pasco Education Academy - Dr. Jose Olmo (Pasco)   
  • J. W. Mitchell High School - Dennis Koslin (Pasco)             
  • James M. Marlowe Elementary School - Michelle Wainwright (Pasco)           
  • Moon Lake Elementary School - Amy Craver (Pasco)                     
  • Pine View Elementary School - Jaime Gauvin (Pasco)                    
  • John M. Sexton Elementary School - Sheena Bennett (Pinellas)
  • Plato Academy St. Petersburg - Carrie Showalter (Pinellas)

 

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarian ecosystems, water quality and water conservation. For more information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

 

 

Subject
Education

District Awards Grants to Schools in Polk County for Water Resources Education Projects

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $107,969 in grants to 58 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The District awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in Polk County:

 

  • Berkley Elementary School - Tonya Ramos
  • Daniel Jenkins Academy - Melanie Tucker   
  • James W. Sikes Elementary School - Selina Fontaine         
  • Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School - Kim Griffiths      
  • Mulberry Senior High School - Jason La Mar           
  • Palmetto Elementary School - Delma Alvarez Porrata         
  • Polk Avenue Elementary School - Melissa Kelly      
  • South McKeel Academy - Cheryl Jacques    
  • Walter Caldwell Elementary School - Andrew Wessells       
  • Walter Caldwell Elementary School - Claudia Jarquin         

 

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarian ecosystems, water quality and water conservation. For more information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

Subject
Education

Governing Board to Meet in Tampa

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North.

To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.

Public comment will be taken only at the meeting location. Public input for issues not listed on the published agenda will be heard shortly after the meeting begins.

The meeting agenda and materials are posted one week before the meeting and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meeting & Events Calendar.”

 

Subject
Governing Board
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