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Southwest Florida Water Management District employees and Board members, as well as their friends and families, will be among the hundreds of volunteers taking part in this weekend’s 21st Annual Hillsborough River & Waterways Cleanup. The cleanup begins Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Lowry Park Boat Ramp.The annual event is one of Tampa’s largest volunteer activities. Each year volunteers scour dozens of shoreline locations along the Hillsborough River and…

Race fans will be able to enjoy the comforts of a water-conserving restroom station at this year’s Little Everglades Steeplechase. The Southwest Florida Water Management District aims to make the event more “Florida-friendly” by bringing the water conservation restroom station to the race, which is being held March 5 at the Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.“Bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to community festivals like…

Attendees of this year’s African American Heritage Celebration will be able to enjoy the comforts of a water-conserving restroom. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is bringing its water conservation restroom station to the event, which is being held Feb. 25 at the Pinewood Cultural Center in Largo.“Bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to community festivals like the Annual African American Heritage Celebration is an effective way to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off…

Who: Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Council members, Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board members and staffWhat: The Council and the District will mark the completion of the Lake Panasoffkee Restoration project.When: Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10 a.m.Where: Coleman LandingWhy: The $28.3 million project was completed in November 2008. The 10-year project was designed to restore Lake Panasoffkee’s historic fish bedding areas, restore the historic lake…

 About the FARMS ProgramFARMS is an agricultural cost-share reimbursement program that reduces groundwater withdrawals from the Upper Floridan aquifer through conservation and alternative water supply best management practices (BMPs). In conjunction with water conservation BMPs, water quality and natural systems improvement BMPs also may be cost-shared in priority areas.The program is designed to serve as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote water…

Overwatering in winter can encourage pests and disease The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact,…

There are a variety of different programs that FARMS supports including:Well Back-PluggingThe Well Back-Plugging Program addresses water quality problems that result from agricultural users pumping poor water quality from deep zones of the Upper Floridan aquifer.This program is implemented throughout the SWUCA but primarily focuses on the Shell, Prairie and Joshua Creek watersheds…

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,”…

Name: Rufus C. Lazzell Basin Board: Peace River Term: First appointed Dec. 3, 2001. Currently in his third term, which expires March 1, 2009. Occupation: Retired Brigadier General, U.S. Army Town of residence: Punta Gorda Hometown: Huntington, West Virginia Reason you applied to be a Basin Board member: …

Above: New observation tower at the preserve. Below: The view from the tower. Outdoor enthusiasts have a new preserve to visit in Levy County. The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is 413 acres of publicly owned land managed by Yankeetown. Preserve visitors can enjoy a boardwalk, hiking trails and an education building. There is also an area to launch kayaks located on a half-mile portage trail. Boaters should be…

Six local organizations and individuals were recently recognized for their work to further water conservation.  The awards were given as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Florida Water Star℠ program. The voluntary certification program encourages water efficiency in appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes.  The six awards…

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.…

Above: Magnolia Gardens, a project of the Hernando County Housing Authority, recently met the requirements of the Florida Water StarSM program. Top right: Governing Board member Judy Whitehead presents the Florida Water StarSM certification to Magnolia Gardens for meeting the requirements of the program. A Brooksville apartment complex is the first in Florida to be certified under the Florida Water StarSMCommunity standard. Magnolia Gardens, a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized four Sarasota County projects as outstanding school, community grant or volunteer programs that focus on water resources education. A total of 52 projects were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by…

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…

A Ruskin community recently celebrated the grand opening of a new clubhouse and playground, but its Florida Water Star℠ (FWS) homes are another reason leaders are celebrating.  Bayou Pass Village 4 recently held a dedication of its newest facilities. The community is the product of the Florida Home Partnership, a nonprofit organization that strives to create affordable housing for low income families. Bayou Pass homes achieve FWS certification. FWS is a…

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,…