The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a series of virtual meetings to discuss the District’s Land Management Plans. The purpose of these meetings is to inform the public about updates to these plans, to solicit input from stakeholders and to incorporate feedback from the public and stakeholders into the development of the new 10-year plans.

The District adopts land management plans to ensure its public conservation lands are being managed in ways that are consistent with Florida Statutes and the District’s mission. District lands are acquired to preserve and protect water resources and natural systems while also providing public access for recreation.

Members of the public may participate in the public meetings via Microsoft Teams on the following dates and times:

• Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve (Marion County) and Lake Panasoffkee Preserve (Sumter County)

           July 13 at 6 p.m. – TEAMS link https://bit.ly/3x3Fanj

• Upper Hillsborough Preserve and Cypress Creek Preserve (Pasco County)

           July 15 at 6 p.m. - TEAMS link https://bit.ly/3gf0W0B

• Starkey Wilderness Preserve (Pasco County)

           July 20 at 6 p.m. -TEAMS link https://bit.ly/3pABSW7

• Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve (Hillsborough County)

           July 22 at 6 p.m. – TEAMS link https://bit.ly/2SjNvo2

District policy requires management plans for District-owned conservation lands be reviewed and updated every 10 years, unless otherwise directed by the District’s Governing Board. District lands are open to the public and community input is vital in determining how these lands are managed and used. To review these plans before the meetings, please visit WaterMatters.org/LandPlan.

All Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) offices will be open Thursday, July 8, as the District returns to normal operations after Tropical Storm Elsa.

The District will lower the activation level of its Emergency Operations Center to a Level 3 at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. Level 3 activation is a general state of monitoring during the hurricane season.

All District-managed campgrounds and properties to include trails and day use areas throughout its 16-county region will reopen to the public Friday, July 9.

All Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) offices will be closed Wednesday, July 7, due to potential impacts from Tropical Storm Elsa.

The District will continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Elsa to determine if future closings are necessary, however District offices are expected to be open Thursday, July 8.

Information regarding District-related meeting cancellations will be provided to the media and made available on the District’s website at WaterMatters.org. As a reminder, you can find the latest information on Twitter.com/SWFWMD.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will close all District-managed campgrounds and properties to include trails and day use areas throughout its 16-county region at 5 p.m. Monday, July 5, in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Storm Elsa.

For the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org.

As a reminder, you can follow along for immediate updates on social media at Twitter.com/SWFWMD.

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017.

That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September on the Prairie Shell Creek Tract in Charlotte County.

Prairie Shell Creek is located at 3081 Duncan Road (U.S. Highway 17) north of Punta Gorda, FL, east of U.S. Highway 17. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017.

That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September on Potts Preserve and Flying Eagle Preserve in Citrus County.

Potts Preserve is located approximately 2 miles east of the City of Hernando and three and a half miles north-northeast of Inverness. The property is east and southeast of State Road 200 and north of Turner Camp Road and is bordered by the Withlacoochee River on the east. Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Flying Eagle Preserve is located southeast of the City of Inverness and approximately 8 miles west of the I-75 Hwy 44 interchange. Approximately 1,000 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017.

That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September on the Deep Creek Preserve Tract in DeSoto County.

Deep Creek Preserve is located at 10797 Peace River Street in Arcadia, east of State Road 769. Approximately 650 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
• Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
• Maintaining access for public recreation.

The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Click here to see aerial footage from a prescribed fire in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve where District land management staff burned 320 acres.