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Left: Merry Mott from the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, far left; Lou Kavouras, District deputy executive director, second from right; and Sylvia Durell, District senior communications coordinator, far right, present the first-place award to the Rag Tag Team. Right: Sandra Harrison of Fernview Farm, left, and Ken Dobler from Ameriscape Services assemble an irrigation system during the Water It Right challenge. A team of industry…

The District has many last-minute gift and decorating ideas that can save and protect water resources and create new holiday traditions. Here are some gift ideas:  • Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water and an inexpensive gift when you pick one up at a local extension office. • Compost bins provide nutrients for a garden and keep food scraps out of the garbage disposal. A garbage disposal uses up to 4 gallons of water per minute. • Raised garden…

Visitors can get a free look at the restoration of the Three Sisters Springs property this Saturday at an open house. The Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Inc. has partnered with the District, Crystal River Wildlife Refuge, the City of Crystal River and other organizations to offer several “free admission” days throughout manatee season in appreciation of the residents and businesses who support the Three Sisters property.  The area had…

Several hundred Pasco County residents joined the District at its first “Get Outside!” Day community event at Starkey Wilderness Preserve’s Serenova Tract. The event was an opportunity for the District to introduce the property to the surrounding community and encourage more frequent use of the land. More than 400 people attended the event — 74 percent of whom were first-time visitors. “It was a beautiful day and a great turnout by local residents to enjoy a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Angela Maraj yesterday during a District ceremony that recognized outstanding programs that focused on water resources education. Maraj serves as the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Builders/Developers Outreach coordinator in Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota counties. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.In…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized the Marion County 10th Annual Master Gardener Spring Festival 2004 as an outstanding water resources education program.Approximately 9,000 people attended this Florida-friendly landscaping event, which is organized by the Marion County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program. Information on proper plant material, water conservation and water quality materials was distributed. More than 1,000 people also…

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,…

District leaders recently helped celebrate the dedication of Habitat for Humanity homes that received the Florida Water Star℠ certification. The four homes were built in the Laurel Gardens Community in Nokomis. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that, together with volunteers and donations, helps to build homes for families in need. The families help build the homes. The builders incorporated water-saving features into the new homes like efficient…

A groundwater reuse and conservation project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Lowry Park Zoo will save approximately 38,000 gallons of groundwater a day.The Zoo uses 38,000 gallons of groundwater each day to fill the Zoos animal exhibition water features, such as the hippo pool and the pond at the lion exhibit. At the end of the day, the water is discharged into a retention pond on Zoo grounds and eventually flows into the Hillsborough River…

Visitors can learn how to protect Florida's precious springs through a variety of activities during Citrus County's "Save Our Waters Week":http://soww.citrus2020.org/.The weeklong event, bringing awareness about the area's springs, is coordinated by Citrus 20/20 Inc. and is part of the Southwest Florida Water Management District's regional "Springs Awareness Week":http://www.WaterMatters.org/Springs campaign. The week's activities run from Friday, Sept. 14 to Saturday, Sept…

Overwatering in winter can encourage pests and diseaseThe Southwest Florida Water Management District is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" or more of watering during the cooler months of December, 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…

Volunteer Contribution  Terry Yoder of the Citizen Support Organization, far right, receives an award from District Governing Board Chair Watson L. Haynes II, Governing Board member Janet D. Kovach, and Governing Board Vice Chair Heidi B. McCree. We always feed our volunteers well. If anyone wants to sign up, call me!” That’s one of the selling points Karen Michalak makes when she’s trying to recruit people to join the Pasco County Sheriff’s Mounted…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday declared April “Water Conservation Month.”By proclaiming April to be Water Conservation Month, the District joins the state Legislature, Tampa Bay Water and dozens of local governments in an effort to call attention to the need for water conservation.The District is currently in the middle of a severe water shortage due to a lack of rainfall over the past year. With April falling within Florida’s dry…

The Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Council will meet to discuss the completion of the Lake Panasoffkee Restoration project on Monday, Sept. 8, 5 p.m. at the Lake Panasoffkee Recreation Center’s West Wing, 1532 CR-459, Lake Panasoffkee.During the meeting the council will receive status updates on the lake dredging project, canal cleanup and the sale of shell at the spoil area. The public is also invited to share comments.The Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Council was…

The Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Council will meet to discuss the status of the Lake Panasoffkee Restoration project on Thursday, June 19, 2 p.m. in the Commission Board Room at the Sumter County Government Offices, 910 North Main Street, Bushnell.During the meeting the council will receive status updates on the lake dredging project, canal cleanup and the sale of shell at the spoil area. The public is also invited to share their comments.The Lake Panasoffkee Restoration…

Description: There is a place in the middle of the state, far from either coast, where people can go to experience the unaltered natural beauty of central Florida. The 51,000-acre East Tract of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve offers visitors the ability to hike, hunt, bike, camp or fish in a rare wilderness full of local flora and fauna. The Green Swamp East Tract, which stretches across Sumter, Lake, and Polk counties, contains a variety of habitat types —…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is teaming up with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Department of Parks and Recreation on a restoration project aimed at cleaning up the Homosassa Springs headspring, located within the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, and the Blue Waters area of the Homosassa River.The project will remove 25,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment, which causes reduced water quality when the sediment is…

December 2023Q: Why is conserving water outdoors important?A:  Typically, outdoor water use accounts for about 50 percent of water consumed by households, so it’s important to pay attention to your outdoor water use. If using a permanent inground irrigation system, conduct regular maintenance to ensure the system is working properly and make seasonal adjustments throughout the year. If using a non-permanent above-ground…

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants for water-quality enhancement projects in Citrus County to protect the health of Kings Bay and Crystal River’s unique spring-fed systems comprised of more than 70 freshwater springs throughout a 600-acre bay.  “We are pleased to provide springs funding for projects that will help restore and protect these important waterways,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “This…

Pledge to conserve water in 2018. Here are 18 simple ways to save water:

1. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
2. Take shorter showers, 5 minutes or less. 
3. Flush less. The toilet isn’t a trashcan.
4. Only operate the dishwasher with a full load.
5. Thaw frozen food in the fridge, not under running water.
6. Purchase water-efficient appliances for your home.
7. Only wash laundry with a full…