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Are you counting on the rain to water-in your lawn fertilizer? You may want to reconsider. Save time and money by avoiding the practice of applying fertilizer before a heavy rain.Sometimes Florida yards need fertilizer to help keep them healthy, but applying fertilizer at the wrong time can cause water pollution. You can use Florida-friendly fertilizing practices to help protect water quality while having a beautiful lawn.If you fertilize your lawn before a heavy rain, much… Read more

Governor Rick Scott reappointed John Henslick to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board. Henslick represents Manatee County. Henslick, 66, of Myakka City, is the owner and president of Henslick & Associates, LLC. He received his bachelor's degree from Jacksonville University and his master's degree from the University of Florida. Henslick is reappointed for a term beginning June 5, 2017, and ending March 1, 2021. Governing Board members are… Read more

Governor Rick Scott reappointed "Michael Babb ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/profiles/michael_babb.php to the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/. Babb represents Hillsborough County. Babb, 36, of Tampa, is the president of Two Rivers Ranch. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 21, 2014, and ending March 1, 2018. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the… Read more

Longevity Recognized When Ron Vanlerberghe started working at the District, Lyndon B. Johnson was president, Florida was home to just over 6 million people, and the first issue of the alternative magazine “Rolling Stone” was about to hit newsstands. Thirty-five years later a lot has changed in our world, as well as the District. Florida now has more than 16 million people, “Rolling Stone” is considered mainstream, and Ron has become the longest serving District employee… Read more

A Citrus County home was certified as "Florida Water StarSM Gold(Florida Water Star)":/conservation/florida_water_star by the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.The model home is the first in Citrus County to receive the water-saving certification. Built by Rusaw Homes by Pinecrest Building Corp., the model home is located in the county's Heritage subdivision. It is equipped with water-saving appliances and fixtures… Read more

Efforts to restore Lake Panasoffkee are progressing well as almost half of the 1,977-acre dredging portion of the Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Council’s four-step, multi-million dollar restoration plan is complete.According to the Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Council’s annual report, which was recently accepted by the Southwest Florida Management District and will be submitted to the Legislature, approximately 956 acres have been dredged.The restoration plan, which is being… Read more

Lake Panasoffkee water is clearer, eelgrass is thicker and fisheries are richer in response to the recent restoration project and effective management of lake levels, according to the District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials. The lake continues to respond well following the dredging restoration project, which was completed in November 2008. The 10-year, $26.9 million project restored Lake Panasoffkee’s historic fish bedding areas and… Read more

Interactive Map Gallery The District’s new map gallery contains dynamic, interactive maps created by District staff. This gallery contains general purpose and District-specific maps. VIEW MAP GALLERY » Aerial Photography The District provides an extensive collection of digital aerial photos (DOQQ: Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quadrangle) … Read more

Three water management districts — the Southwest Florida, South Florida and St. Johns River — are working together to meet the growing water supply needs of a five-county region in central Florida while also protecting the water and related natural resources. The water management districts approved an action plan for the Central Florida Coordination Area (CFCA), which extends into the three water management districts and includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Polk… Read more

Rand Baldwin and Jimmy Brooks (right), senior community affairs coordinators, pose with members of the National Guard while working together at a Hurricane Charley relief center. Rand Baldwin is a people person. He spends a great deal of his time, both in and out of the office, working with people in the community. Baldwin has worked at the District for over 30 years and has been in his current position since 1985. He graduated from the University of… Read more

Governor Rick Scott reappointed Michael Moran to the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/. Moran represents Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Moran, 46, of Sarasota, is the owner of Blue Water Insurance Group. Moran received his bachelor's degree in finance from Michigan State University. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 23, 2015, and ending March 1, 2019.Governing Board members are… Read more

Governor Rick Scott reappointed Randall "Randy" Maggard to the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/. Maggard represents Pasco County. Maggard, 51, of Zephyrhills, is the vice president of Sonny's Discount Appliances Inc. Maggard received his associate's degree from Pasco-Hernando Community College. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 16, 2015, and ending March 1, 2019.Governing Board… Read more

Land use specialists have completed the first phase of a major retooling of trail markings to make it easier for people to use trails on District properties. “We needed a standardized marking system for our trails,” said Carmen Sanders, District senior land use specialist. “Developing a standardized marking system will help us lay a solid foundation as we improve the trail systems on our properties. We want to improve the experience for visitors to our properties and… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will recognize Hulbert Homes, Inc. as the first builder in Polk County to have a Florida Water Star Gold ℠ (FWSG) certified home Friday, April 17 at the Polk County Builders Association Parade of Homes Kick-Off Party, 5 p.m. at 2505 Bramble Ridge Dr. in Lakeland.FWSG is a voluntary certification program for builders. It encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Public Affairs Bureau recently received top honors at the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) 60th Annual Golden Image. The winners were announced last week at the Association's 79th annual conference in Orlando. Recipients of this prestigious awards competition demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design in public relations. The Golden Image Awards have become a standard of public… Read more