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Two developers recently received statewide recognition for using Florida-friendly landscaping techniques in their communities.The University of Floridas Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN), Builder/Developer program presented prestigious Community-Wide Florida-Friendly Landscaping Awards to Lee Wetherington Homes for the Willow Bend community in Sarasota County and King Ranch Manatee for the River Forest community in Manatee County. The awards were presented at Green… Read more

Television viewers throughout the District are learning about Florida-friendly landscaping through the District’s new advertising campaign. The series of three commercials feature people enjoying beautiful Florida-friendly yards while homeowners and landscaping experts tell the viewer more about the nine basic principles. Portions of the commercials were taped at Lakewood Ranch, a development in Sarasota and Manatee counties that is certified by the Florida Green… Read more

March 14 – 21, 2009The Southwest Florida Water Management District, together with Citrus and Marion counties and the cities of Crystal River and Dunnellon, will proclaim March 14-21 as the first Springs Awareness Week.Here is a list of events taking place during Springs Awareness Week. These events are aimed at raising awareness about the health of the local springs and what people can do to protect them.Nitrate pollution from overusing fertilizers is one reason the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is announcing the recipients of the 2005 Community Education Grant Program. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $107,667.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation,… Read more

Hog hunters from Hernando County (left to right) Wade Jenkins, Jason Bibeau and Chris Bibeau. District land managers say a series of hog hunts held on District lands this winter and spring helped reduce the wild hog population. Hundreds of hogs were removed from seven different tracts of land throughout the District. The District opened the land for hunting because wild hogs cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. Wild hogs, which are not native to… Read more

Pursuant to Section 112.3261, Florida Statutes, starting July 1, 2014, a person may not lobby a water management district until such person has registered with that district. A person wanting to lobby the Southwest Florida Water Management District is urged to read the full… Read more

Dozens of students between the ages of 9 and 18 explored District offices in April as part of the annual “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” This is the tenth year the District has participated in the nationwide event. Students spent the day learning about activities at the District and daily tasks of their parents, guardians, relatives or friends. In Brooksville, the children participated in two hands-on water resources exercises and toured six departments before… Read more

Your Questions Answered  December 2020 Q: What does data collection mean? A: Data collection is the process of gathering, measuring and analyzing specific information to fix a problem. District geologists perform data collection to help answer scientific and engineering questions in managing water supplies, preserving natural systems and protecting against flooding. The District's Data Collection Bureau… Read more

table(webalert). |Who:|DeSoto and Charlotte county residents, and representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the DeSoto County Extension office.||*What:*|The District is holding a free family-friendly event at the Deep Creek Preserve in southern DeSoto County. The 2,000-acre tract features recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking and equestrian use.The event includes activities such as guided nature hikes, children… Read more

Your Questions Answered May 2019 The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and the Southwest Florida Water Management District is preparing for a heightened risk of severe rain events, flooding and storm damage.  Jerry Mallams, Operations & Land Management Bureau Chief, explains how the District works to prepare for the storm season by minimizing flood risks throughout the 16-county region. Q:  What… Read more

Florida-friendly landscaping techniques will be featured along with storm-ready home design in an upcoming television episode of “Bob Vila’s Home Again.” The episode focuses on rebuilding a Punta Gorda Isles home destroyed during Hurricane Charley. Vila and his construction crew teamed up with FLASH, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, to rebuild the home. They invited Angela Polo, Sarasota Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Builder/Developer Coordinator, to assist in… Read more

February 2024Q: What is Water 101?A: Water 101 is a Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) initiated campaign to connect homeowners and community managers with helpful water conservation and water quality tips and resources. This campaign will help support two of the District’s strategic initiatives: water conservation and water quality maintenance and improvement. The campaign encompasses two avenues of information that can… Read more

table(webalert). |Who:|Teams competing include Business Network International, Cornerstone Solutions Group, the Rag Tag Industry Team, the Luke Brothers, Pay it Forward Farm, Raymow, Tampa Bay Landscaping and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Station leaders include Jim Davis, The Villages Florida Yards and Neighborhoods coordinator, at the Right Plant Right Place station; Kathleen Patterson, Marion County Florida Yards and Neighborhoods coordinator, at the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) ombudsman responds to public inquiries about District policies and practices. When issues arise between the public and the District, the ombudsman acts independently of the District to assist the public by:

• Providing information
• Answering questions
• Facilitating dispute resolutions
• Investigating concerns
• Maintaining confidentiality

Please note: If the matter is in… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has launched the new WaterMatters.org website featuring a new recreation reservation system.  The new design is cleaner and more organized, while offering the following features:

• Mobile Friendly: The new site provides a simple design that is compatible with tablets and phones, which make up…

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Environmental Concern An Oldsmar Boy Scout was recently honored by the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board for his work on a project at the Brooker Creek Preserve. Mark Brandon of Troop 64 of Oldsmar designed and created self-guided tour material for one of the nature trails in the preserve. Mark found out about the need for trail markers at Brooker Creek through his mom, Sue Brandon, who volunteers at the Preserve. Mark is a Life Scout, one step below an Eagle… Read more

  Basin Board: Alafia River Basin Board Term: March 5, 2002 to March 1, 2008 Occupation: Real estate broker Town of Residence: Brandon Hometown: Tampa Reason you applied to be a Basin Board member: Having been a Hillsborough County commissioner for two terms, I am aware of the importance of balancing a finite quantity of water… Read more

Inverness Mayor Ron Plaisted will proclaim this Saturday, Oct. 23 as "Inverness Get Outside! Day," kicking off the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Get Outside!" event at "Potts Preserve(Potts Preserve)":/recreation/areas/potts.html.Citrus, Marion and Sumter county residents are invited to attend the *free event* from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include *guided nature hikes*, a *native animal presentation*,… Read more

Your Questions AnsweredSeptember 2018Q:  Why is the Withlacoochee River experiencing flooding again this year?A:  Throughout the spring and summer, above average rainfall has saturated soils and filled wetlands and swamps that are no longer able to store additional rainfall.Q:  Is river flooding a normal occurrence?A:  … Read more