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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.…
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.
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…
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…
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…
Program OverviewFlorida-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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
November 2024Q: How can I save water when preparing holiday meals?A: Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water over them. Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan filled with water instead of under running water. This water can then be reused to water houseplants. A running faucet can use approximately 2 gallons of water per minute.Q: What can I do to reduce water…
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…
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 have to…
Edward W. Chance 1942–2006
The District lost a friend and a staunch advocate for the water resources when Governing Board member Ed Chance died on June 26, the day before the June Board meeting.
Governing Board members and staff opened the meeting the next day with remembrances of Chance, a well-loved colleague with a gift for storytelling and passion for fairness.
“Ed was a special friend to all of us,” said Governing Board Chair Jerry Rice. “Our…
What does Florida Water StarSM mean for me?
- Saves an estimated $530 on annual utility bills
- Reduces water and energy use
- Creates peace of mind due to additional home inspections
- Increases resale through higher quality landscape designs and irrigation systems
The Southwest Florida Water Management District manages controlled burns on its lands. Which are carefully planned burns used to manage forests. These controlled fires reduce wildfire risks by reducing excess vegetation, improving wildlife habitats and promoting new plant growth. The District ensures safety and efficiency in these operations, balancing ecological benefits with public safety. Fire in FloridaFire is one of the dominant forces that shape…
Project OverviewIt removed accumulated sediments from targeted areas of the river to re-establish historic river depths where these sediments had covered natural habitats. Sedimentation alters the river channel structure, reducing passage for manatees and other animals. It can also smother beneficial submerged aquatic vegetation and other important habitats. Accumulated sediments were removed using hand-dredging, which includes divers vacuuming sediments…