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Florida Communities Trust (FCT), the state’s premier program for helping local communities preserve parks and recreational space, is accepting grant applications until May 7, 2008.
An expected $66 million in Florida Forever funds will be available to local governments and nonprofit environmental organizations to acquire land for green space, conservation and recreation purposes.
This is the program’s eighth year of being funded. The FCT is administered by the… Read more
Just northeast of the Lake Manatee Reservoir in Manatee County, undisturbed areas of native habitats provide an example of historic Florida palmetto prairie, pine flatwoods and scrubby flatwoods communities.
The District’s Gilley Creek Tract, part of the Edward W. Chance Reserve, gives Manatee County residents an opportunity to see Florida the way it used to be.
“We have a very good example of an old historic Florida ecosystem at the Gilley Creek property,” said… Read more
For about 2.7 million residents in a five-county area of Central Florida, the Floridan aquifer system is the main source of stored freshwater.
And while Florida generally receives 50 to 55 inches of rainfall each year, not all that rain reaches the aquifer. About 37 inches evaporates back into the air or runs off land into ponds, lakes or rivers.
Today, the current average total water use is about 800 million gallons per day in Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole… Read more
Top left: One of Morris’ favorite creatures at the aquarium is Tako, a Pacific octopus. Top right: Lisann Morris, senior professional engineer, volunteers her time at The Florida Aquarium, feeding the fish and animals. Above: Morris and her friend, Doris Linney, celebrate completing the 60-mile breast cancer walk.
With more than 500 volunteer hours recorded, it’s no surprise that Lisann Morris was awarded the District’s Shining Star… Read more
Improving Water Quality Through Well Plugging Every day, millions of gallons of water are contaminated or wasted throughout the Southwest Florida Water Management District by free-flowing, improperly constructed, deteriorated or abandoned artesian wells.Many of these wells were built before current well construction standards were established. Therefore, many of the wells:
- Do not have enough casing and expose several aquifers of varying water quality to one… Read more
Two Tampa area home builders were honored for their use of water-wise landscaping.John Cannon Homes was presented with the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition Award Thursday at the annual Tampa Bay Home Builders Association Spring Parade of Homes banquet. Homes by John C Fowke received the Honorable Mention award.The winning design can be seen at John Cannon Homes Bondi model, 3129 Christophers Watch Lane in the Little Harbor Community in Ruskin. The design, landscaping and… Read more
h2. Staff, Equipment Deploy to Alachua and Flagler CountiesThe "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ today sent 11 staff members and equipment to help fight wildfires in Alachua and Flagler counties at the request of the "Florida Division of Forestry(Florida Division of Forestry)":http://www.fl-dof.com.The District sent three Type VI engines with two-person crews to the Santa Fe fire in Alachua County. Type VI engines… Read more
Kurt Durham’s brother-in-law may have brought him to the District, but the familylike atmosphere at the District’s Sarasota Service Office keeps him here.
In 1987, Jack MacDonald, who used to work in the District’s Regional Observation and Monitor-Well Program, called Durham and told him the District “was looking for bodies.” He applied even though he didn’t know anything about being a field technician.
“When I started I was green as grass,”… Read more
Left: Bruce Wirth, a District deputy executive director; Sallie Parks, Governing Board member and co-chair ex offico of the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board; and Cheryl Johnson, secretary of the Alafia River Basin Board, helped plant a tree to celebrate the completion of the restoration project. Center: Dozens of volunteers planted marsh grass to help complete the restoration project. Right: Many volunteers brought their children to help at the volunteer planting.… Read more
Your Questions Answered
October 2022
Q: What is a water control structure?
A: The primary purpose of the District’s water control structures is to manage the flow of water. Water control structures vary greatly in size and are used for multiple purposes. The District’s water control structures can be classified into three main categories: flood control, salinity barriers, and water conservation structures. These… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Chris Dewey for his work as the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Builders/Developers Outreach coordinator in Pasco County at a ceremony that recognized outstanding water resources education programs and projects. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.Dewey has created a unique and beneficial working… Read more
Back row from left: David Moore, District executive director; Tammy Antoine, Employee Committee chair; Toi Basso, Employee Committee financial secretary; Judy Whitehead, Governing Board chair; Chan Springstead, Planning representative; Front row from left: Pam Baldwin, Human Resources representative; Jason LaRoche, Resource, Conservation and Data representative; and Michele Cacioppo, Human Resources representative, during the Employee Appreciation Day.… Read more
Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Hernando County embarked on a field trip to the District’s Serenova Tract in Pasco County in August. This was the fourth annual District-sponsored field trip for the club, but their first visit to the Serenova property. Approximately 100 children and counselors made the trip this year to learn about water… Read more
Water Quality DataWater quality data are categorized under two major resource types — groundwater and surface water.Groundwater Quality Data provide information on existing groundwater quality conditions and water quality trends within the District’s groundwater resources, including springs. They also improve the District’s understanding of groundwater quality concerns, support development of watershed management priorities and plans, and… Read more
The Marion County Spring Festival will be more “Florida-friendly” because of the addition of a water conservation restroom station. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is bringing the water conservation restroom station to the event, which is being held Mar. 11-12 at the Extension Service Office in Marion County.This festival, which is expected to attract approximately 15,000 people, includes workshops, exhibits, and a plant sale. Workshop topics… Read more
WFLA-TV meteorologist Brooks Garner interviews Rebecca Valone, project manager for the Tampa Port Authority, about McKay Bay.
When the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program began looking into the possibility of restoring the 56-acre McKay Bay Dredge Hole, there was only one problem. The project would need enough clean fill material to fill two football stadiums.
However, as SWIM staff began talking to the program’s local partners,… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District will use a water conservation restroom trailer to spread the word about water conservation this year at the Florida State Fair, February 10-21.“Special events like the Florida State Fair allow us to bring our water conservation message to a wide audience,” said Beth Bartos, communications manager for the District. “Thousands of people will be exposed to our message each day.”The trailer features air… Read more
Sebring Homeowners Get Irrigation Recommendations
The District’s Peace River Basin Board partnered with the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District to help homeowners improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems.
The pilot project brought a mobile irrigation lab to homeowners residing in the city of Sebring. The lab is evaluating residential irrigation systems and developing customized recommendations on irrigation equipment, management… Read more
Water 101 for Homeowners Welcome homeowners! The choices you make - from the plants in your yard to what toilet you install - can make a big difference in your overall water use. And, everything we do on land can affect the health of our water resources. It’s important to consider water savings and protection to understand your personal impact. The resources below will help you and your neighbors learn more about all things water! Irrigation Tips and Water… Read more
_The Extended Order Allows Extra Lawn Watering Day, If Needed_The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/voted today to extend the Phase II Water Shortage in the Tampa Bay; however, the extended order will allow up to two watering days per week. In December 2013, the Governing Board enacted Phase II restrictions for lawn watering throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, which allowed… Read more