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The districts administer flood protection programs and perform technical investigations into water resources. They also develop water management plans for water shortages in times of drought, and acquire and manage lands for water management purposes. Delegated regulatory programs include management of the consumptive use of water, aquifer recharge, well construction and surface water management.  

Spend a day with your family and friends in the great outdoors. Many District properties offer picnic facilities. Check the individual property for specific information about picnicking on that tract and the level of amenities provided. In addition, the District has three spacious and modern pavilions available for your next large group picnic. Make a reservation below:   While enjoying the picnic facilities, please follow all rules outlined in the… Read more

These plants are all NATIVE to Florida, so if you put them in the right spot, they probably won’t need fertilizers, chemicals or regular watering to grow. Some have become rare so you’ll be helping them out by planting them. As a bonus, these were chosen because they’re especially valuable to Florida's birds, bees, butterflies and other animals. Planting a few in your yard will help with the natural water cycle — and… Read more

Your Questions Answered September 2020 Homeowners in Florida know the scorching heat can wreak havoc on lawns and landscapes, which can increase your yard irrigation and your water bill. That’s why Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is gaining in popularity. The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Senior Communications Coordinator Katherine Munson explains what Florida-Friendly Landscaping really means and the benefits it provides.… Read more

From left: Andrea Roshaven, Tampa Water Department; Maritza Rovira-Forino, Governing Board member; Paul Rauch, Wildrose Lawncare Inc. co-owner; Pam Iorio, Tampa mayor; Christine Collins, Wildrose Lawncare Inc. co-owner; Hugh Gramling, Governing Board member; and April Genter, Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. The wind and rain didn’t deter enthusiastic gardeners from attending the third annual Florida Yard Fandango in March. This year the gardening event… Read more

 The threatened Florida scrub-jay lives in a “scrub” community with scrub oaks, rosemary shrubs, rusty lyonia shrubs, sand pine trees, saw palmettos and prickly pear cactuses. This species only lives in Florida and does not migrate like other birds. Rather, the Florida scrub-jay typically stays within a four- to six-mile territory throughout its life.The effects of increased development and agriculture have reduced the population of scrub-jays. However, multiple state… Read more

The Florida Yard Fandango is returning to the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) this spring. The event is being held March 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is the second year the District has been involved with the Fandango. The goal of this event is to promote Florida-friendly landscaping and lawn maintenance because it is beautiful and saves water, time and energy. Participants will have the opportunity to choose from 15 workshops, including core classes on the… Read more

Mulch is loose stuff you spread on top of soil. People sometimes use mulch in their gardens or where grass doesn’t grow well. Florida-friendly yards often use a lot of mulch. Why is mulch so great?

1. Mulch that comes from plants (organic) will provide food for the plants you are growing.
2. Mulch keeps your soil warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
3. Mulch keeps the soil beneath it from drying out — so you don’t need to water as much.
… Read more

 The shy and secretive Florida black bear hides in dense vegetation and is rarely seen in the wild. As the largest native land mammal in Florida, the males can weigh up to 450 pounds. Most Florida black bears are 5–6 feet long and about three feet high at the shoulder.Florida black bears are an important part of Florida’s ecosystems. They are an “umbrella species” because they need diverse habitats over a large geographic area. This means they share living space with a… Read more

The Florida black bear is the largest native land mammal in Florida. It is shy and secretive, hiding in dense vegetation and rarely seen in the wild. The Florida black bear has a shiny, black coat of long fur and a light brown nose and snout. Some black bears have white diamond-shaped patterns on their chests. The black bear has a short tail that is almost always hidden by its long fur, and long, sharp claws that help the bear climb trees or dig for food. Bears are… Read more

TheFriends of the Dunnellon Public Library will receive a $4,550 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for a Florida-friendly demonstration garden.This demonstration garden and signage at the new public library will be designed by the Marion County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) coordinator and maintained by the Friends of the Library organization. The library will offer four FYN workshops to residents and at least two… Read more

Part of being a water superhero means fighting off the villains that threaten our water resources. That includes invasive plants that creep in and take over natural water habitats. What Makes a Plant Invasive? Invasive plants are non-native species that have been brought to Florida from around the world. Some non-native plants are harmless, but others can reproduce and spread rapidly, pushing out native plants and wildlife. When non-native plants… Read more

Homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are invited to play in the dirt at the Florida Yard Fandango. This Florida-friendly gardening event is being held at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) on May 6, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.The Florida-friendly workshop is partially funded by a $5,000 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board.The goal of this event is promote Florida-friendly landscaping and lawn… Read more

Homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are invited to “play in the dirt” at this year’s Florida Yard Fandango March 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.This is the second year the Florida-friendly gardening event is being held at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI.)The goal of the Fandango is to promote Florida-friendly landscaping and lawn maintenance because it is beautiful and saves water, time and energy. Participants will enjoy touring the butterfly gardens and… Read more

The District uses a variety of tools to protect our springs but it takes a community effort by all of us. There is no single solution to protecting Florida springs. The District uses a variety of tools to help protect them. But it takes the work of all of us to protect these resources. There are various ways you can help when visiting a spring and even at home. How to responsibly enjoy a spring: 

• Stay in the vessel when possible. 
• If you… Read more

Mangroves are crucial to the health of the Charlotte Harbor estuary. They stabilize shorelines, prevent erosion during storms and provide perches for nesting seabirds. But their greatest contribution occurs when they shed their leaves, which sink and rot, supplying nutrients to a huge variety of microscopic creatures and forging links in a multitude of food chains. Falling at an average rate of 3.5 tons per acre, mangrove leaf litter sustains fungi, bacteria, protozoans… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Brooksville office has been certified by the Hernando County Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) Program as a Florida-friendly yard.The Florida-friendly yard certification recognizes landscapes that save water, reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides, as well as reduce runoff and provide native habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.Work to obtain the certification began about two years ago when Jeff… Read more

Many homes use about half of their water outside! That’s a lot of good water going to the grass. Here are some ways you can avoid wasting water in your yard: Wait until wilt Don’t water your grass or plants if they don’t need it. Too much water can wash away plant food and make it easier for pests to attack. A lawn doesn’t need to be watered much in the winter when it’s cool, or during the summer when it rains a lot. Don’t water in the rain (singing is OK) If… Read more

What Is Stormwater Runoff? In Florida, stormwater runoff occurs after a rainfall. Stormwater flows over impervious (unable to penetrate) surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots and roofs and is unable to percolate (filter or seep) into the ground. This unfiltered water reaches our neighborhood streams, ponds, lakes, bays, wetlands and oceans and can eventually make its way into our groundwater (water beneath the earth's surface). Why Is Stormwater… Read more

Homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are invited to “play in the dirt” at the third annual Florida Yard Fandango March 8-9 at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI.)The goal of the Fandango is to promote Florida-friendly landscaping and lawn maintenance because it is beautiful and saves water, time and energy.This year the gardening event has grown to two days. The first day features gardening classes and a plant auction. Participants have the opportunity to… Read more