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Is there anything you can do to help protect your watershed? Sure there is — and one of the best places to start is in your own yard. Not allowed? Perhaps you and your friends could work on your school’s yard, with permission of course. Small changes in yards can help protect Florida’s environment and keep your local water cycle healthy. Hundreds of people move to Florida every day, which means that a lot of natural habitat is taken over by new housing developments.… Read more

Yards generate yard waste like leaves and grass clippings. Some people think yard waste is just more garbage, but others know it makes valuable mulch and compost. How can you keep your landscaping waste in your yard where it belongs? Make sure the grass clippings stay on your lawn when you mow. They’ll help feed the lawn so you won’t need as much fertilizer. Compost — it’s the best way to feed your yard. Some types of yard waste can be turned into rich, nutritious soil… Read more

 

One of the best places to take on actions that help protect water quality and conserve water resources is in your own yard. If you’re not allowed to or don’t have a yard, check in with your teachers to see if you and your friends can make positive changes right at school! Small changes outdoors can make a big difference in protecting Florida’s environment and keeping your local watershed healthy. The number of people moving to Florida is growing every… Read more

Certifying excellence in water conservation, saving resources and protecting the environmentThe Florida Water Starsm program is a voluntary certification program for new residential and commercial construction and existing home renovation. The program encourages water efficiency in appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as well as water quality benefits from best management practices in landscapes. An average Florida Water Star homeowner… Read more

Every day the invasion continues. People are mostly to blame — we import plants from all over the world, planting them here in Florida. It might be because we think they’re useful, or maybe we just think a plant is pretty. Because these plants are new on the scene, Florida’s environment isn’t used to them. Some plants can’t adapt to their new surroundings so they die off. Many new plants grow, but stay right where we put them. But some new plants love it here — they go to… Read more

We all play a role in protecting and conserving our water resources, both above and below ground. But we need leaders like YOU to help inspire others and become a water superhero! How can you become a water superhero? Start by incorporating some of the actions in the chart below into your everyday life. It’s also important to educate your friends, family and neighbors to encourage them to do the same! Ways to Conserve Water

• Take short… Read more

June 2023Q: Why are the summer months the best time for outdoor water conservation?A: During the summer months of June, July, August and September, Florida typically sees increased rainfall. When it’s raining daily, give your irrigation system a break. Yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off your irrigation system, and turn it back on when needed.… Read more

Your Questions Answered  February 2021 Nearly one thousand people move to Florida every day. That population growth puts significant demand on the region’s water supply. To help meet these water supply needs, local governments, water managers, builders and developers are working cooperatively through the Florida Water Star℠ (FWS) program. Southwest Florida Water Management District Lead Communications Coordinator Robin Grantham has details about… Read more

February 2023 Q: What is Florida-Friendly Landscaping™? A: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is a set of nine guiding principles which help protect natural resources and preserve Florida’s unique beauty. A Florida-friendly landscape is beautiful yet saves water and protects the environment too. Q: What are the nine guiding principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™? A: The nine guiding principles of Florida-… Read more

People who live next to water are lucky. Waterfront property is usually very expensive because we love to see the ocean, a lake or a river from our houses. Florida has a lot of water, so there are plenty of waterfront yards. Some yards are right next to the ocean, a big lake or a coastal lagoon. Some have canals that connect to the ocean or lakes. Others are along rivers, creeks, natural ponds or wetlands. Some yards include seasonal ponds, and many more are next to… Read more

When it rains it pours in Florida, and when it pours, the water that runs off your yard might be polluted. How? Oil on your driveway, too much fertilizer on your lawn, even doggie do — they all can pollute rainwater. If those types of pollution are allowed to run off, they can end up causing problems in your watershed. They might also end up sinking down and polluting the ground water. Make Every Raindrop Count! A well-designed, Florida-friendly yard will soak up the… Read more

Your Questions Answered June 2019 The rainy season is upon us and it’s a great time to conserve potable water by watering your lawn less. The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Senior Conservation Education Coordinator Katherine Munson explains why homeowners should, “Watch the Weather, Wait to Water.” Q: Why are the summer months the best time for outdoor water conservation? A: During the summer months of June… Read more

NATIVE plants are accustomed to growing in Florida without help from people. How do we “help” a big green lawn? We water it, mow it and use chemicals to feed it. We might use more chemicals to kill bugs and leafy plants as well. Using all that water and all those chemicals is bad for your watershed. You can reduce the need for water, FERTILIZER, … Read more

With all the people that live in Florida now, there’s less space for wild animals and plants. Your yard might be part of the problem — but it could also be helping out. A Florida-friendly yard is better than a grassy lawn because it provides food and shelter for wildlife like birds and butterflies. Some people like butterflies so much they design gardens just for them. They plant certain flowers that butterflies like, and others that the caterpillars prefer to munch on.… Read more

During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every 2 to 3 days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off your irrigation system, and turn it back on when needed. Follow these tips when you "watch the weather, wait to water": Water only when your yard needs it

• The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these visual clues:
  … Read more

Learn From the Experts Through the Speakers Bureau, professional staff share their knowledge and expertise with a wide variety of audiences. Programs are presented at no charge within the District’s 16-county area. Topics Some of the most frequently requested topics are: “Get Outside!” The District and its partners acquire conservation lands to protect the region’s water… Read more

Bugs really bug some people, so they use nasty chemicals to kill them. Florida-friendly yards use IPM — integrated pest management. That means nasty chemicals are a last resort. What’s IPM? Healthy, native plants are already resistant to pests and don’t need chemicals. If problems do arise, use spot-treatment, rather than covering your whole yard with a pesticide. Remember, too much water or fertilizer can encourage pests. Mowing your lawn too short will weaken… Read more

Program Overview Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is a set of nine guiding principles which help protect natural resources and preserve Florida’s unique beauty. A Florida-friendly landscape is beautiful yet saves water and protects the environment too. The University of Florida’s Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) Program provides science-based education on how to create a… Read more

Your Questions Answered January 2021 The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is celebrating 60 years of protecting the region’s water resources. The District was established in 1961 as a flood protection agency. Since then, its responsibilities have grown to include managing the water supply, protecting water quality and preserving natural systems that serve important water-related functions. Executive Director Brian Armstrong… Read more