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Efforts to restore Lake Panasoffkee recently took a major step forward. The dredging of Step 2 of the Lake Panasoffkee Restoration Council’s four-step, multi-million dollar restoration plan began July 7. The Lake Panasoffkee restoration project involves dredging approximately 8.4 million cubic yards of sediment from the lake, which will improve fish habitat, restore the historic lake shoreline and improve navigation. The project will also restore approximately 920… Read more

District staff, current and former board members, elected officials, friends and family gathered recently to pay tribute to three departing Governing Board members, wishing a fond farewell to Ronnie Duncan, Ron Johnson and Maggie Dominguez during a ceremony honoring them for their service on the Governing Board. “The responsibilities of this District are awesome. Sometimes the demands on staff are overwhelming. But there’s nothing that motivates us more than the… Read more

Two additional events are being added to the list of hands-on activities and workshops taking place during Hillsborough River Watershed Awareness Week, which runs Nov. 15-22.The new events include a shoreline cleanup on Nov. 15 and a Frog Listening Network presentation on Nov. 20. Details for all of the week’s events are listed below.The Hillsborough River Watershed Awareness Week is a cooperative effort between the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s… Read more

Education Goes Outdoors A watershed education program is giving Pasco County middle school students and teachers the opportunity to learn about Florida’s watersheds, including the Springs Coast Watershed. The program is called the Wetlands Ambassadors Program. The District sponsors the Wetlands Ambassadors Program by funding the transportation, materials and supplies, and by assisting with the corresponding teacher training. The program began during the 2002–… Read more

Florida-Friendly Landscaping 101 A watershed education program is giving Pasco County middle school students and teachers the opportunity to learn about Florida’s watersheds, including the Springs Coast Watershed. The program is called the Wetlands Ambassadors Program. The District sponsors the Wetlands Ambassadors Program by funding the transportation, materials and supplies, and by assisting with the corresponding teacher training. The program began during the… Read more

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Michelle Williamson and Ashley Bell Barnett to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board. Williamson represents Hillsborough County and Bell Barnett represents Polk County. Williamson, of Dover, is the Manager of G&F Farms. She earned her associate degree in business administration and management from Hillsborough Community College. Williamson is appointed to a four-year term. Bell Barnett, of Winter… Read more

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Roger Germann and reappointed Kelly Rice to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Germann represents Hillsborough County and Rice represents Citrus, Lake, Levy and Sumter counties. Germann, of Tampa, is the president and chief executive officer of The Florida Aquarium. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. Germann is appointed to a four-year term. Rice, of Webster, is the owner of… Read more

Seven Manatee County projects expected to reach more than 13,000 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources. This year the District awarded "35 grants Districtwide(2010 Community Education Grant Projects)":http://www.swfwmd.… Read more

A Citrus County builder, landscaper and irrigation contractor are being recognized for incorporating water conservation and water-wise landscaping into a model home’s design with the county’s first Water-Wise Landscape Award.Rusaw Homes, The Greenery Landscaping and Coast to Coast Irrigation took first place for the Oakdale Anniversary model in the Citrus County Fall Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is being held through Oct. 28, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. weekdays and… Read more

Eight Pinellas County projects were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants provide up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 38 grants Districtwide for a total of $136,598. This is the 11th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively… Read more

Eugene Schiller, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s deputy executive director of management services, has been selected to serve on the Department of the Interior’s National Geospatial Advisory Committee for a two-year term effective immediately. Schiller was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne, to represent regional government.Schiller is among 28 individuals chosen by panelists from various federal agencies. More than… Read more

  The Environmental Data Portal (EDP) is your source for hydrologic, atmospheric, and water-quality data collected by the District. Access the EDP here or use one of the advanced search options to retrieve larger data sets, more parameters, or additional station metadata. … Read more

 Far left: Student “reporters” take part in a skit that shows them what it’s like to work in the District’s Communications Department. Center: Chan Springstead, planner, taught students not to be a water pig. Right: Jason Mickel, senior planner, shows students the role planners play in managing the District’s water resources. With 14 interactive educational displays, students between the ages of 9 and 18 spent the day learning about a variety of careers at… Read more

A reclaimed water project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Plant City will provide approximately 400,000 gallons per day (gpd) to Walden Lake Golf Course, South Florida Baptist Hospital and the Strawberry Festival grounds, which will offset an estimated 300,000 gpd of potable water.This multi-year project includes the design, permitting and construction of approximately 15,000 feet of reclaimed water transmission line extending from the city… Read more

Atop Hillsborough County’s newest “mountain,” visitors got a glimpse of the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay. Community leaders helped the District dedicate the Rock Ponds Ecosystem Restoration Project during a ceremony Wednesday. Located just north of the Manatee County line in Ruskin, the project will create coastal habitats and… Read more

Hurricane season started and that means people should be stocked up on batteries and bottled watered for the storm season. But people also should be thinking about preparing their yards. Not only does it protect homes and people, it could also reduce water pollution caused by stormwater runoff. Here are some ways to prepare your landscaping for a hurricane: 

• Choose wind-resistant trees. Some trees are more wind-resistant than others so do…

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  With the rainy season upon us, now is the perfect time to build a rain barrel. The water savings from using stored rainwater rather than municipal or well water can be substantial over a period of time. A rain barrel also can help reduce the amount of water that may settle around the foundation of your home. A typical ½-inch rainfall will fill a 50-gallon barrel. In fact, during a ½-inch rainstorm, a normal roof of about 1,000 square feet can fill more… Read more