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Choose from hundreds of establishmentsThe Southwest Florida Water Management District is encouraging summer vacationers to stay at a hotel or motel that participates in the District’s Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water CHAMP).“July is a popular time of year for family vacations but leaving home doesn’t mean travelers should take a vacation from being environmentally responsible,” said Amy Harroun, Water CHAMP coordinator.More than 450…

Word Glossary Alternative Water Supply (AWS) Includes the use of a nontraditional source of water to help meet different freshwater needs of a community. Examples include reusing wastewater or treating seawater through a desalination plant. Aquifer An aquifer is an area underground that holds water in the gaps between rock, sand or gravel, sort of like an underground lake or stream. Compost…

The "US Fish and Wildlife Service(US Fish and Wildlife Service)":http://www.fws.gov/, the "Friends of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge(Friends of Chassahowitzka)":http://friendsofchazz.org/ and the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ are holding their last public open house of this manatee season at the newly acquired Three Sisters Springs property on Saturday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to noon."This will be the last…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rainy season and “watch the weather, wait to water.”During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off the irrigation system and turn it back on when needed.The simplest way to determine if your…

The water conservation mobile restroom station is expanding the District’s message this spring by featuring its Florida−friendly landscaping campaign. The water conservation restroom station is a private, water−conserving restroom trailer featuring air conditioning, six private half−baths with water conservation features, running water, lights, mirrors and a bathroom attendant who keeps the stalls clean and stocked. In previous years, the trailer has provided an…

A Tampa Bay area developer is the first to sign on with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s new, comprehensive water conservation program for new home construction, Florida Water Star (FWSG).FWSG is a voluntary certification program for builders. It encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as well as water quality benefits from best management practices in landscapes.Carl Krave, president…

 Stormwater SystemsA stormwater system is designed to collect and manage runoff from rainwater. They are specifically designed to help prevent flooding and remove pollutants from the water, and they are required for most new development since the 1980s. When rainwater lands on rooftops, parking lots, streets, driveways and other hard surfaces, the rainfall that doesn’t soak into the ground is called stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff carries pollutants such as litter…

Two Sarasota County projects expected to reach up to 23,000 people were recently awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the "District's Basin Boards(Basin Boards)":/about/basinboards/, the program is…

July 2025Q: What is a prescribed burn?A: A prescribed burn, also known as a prescribed fire, is a fire intentionally ignited by land managers to meet specific land management goals and objectives. The burns follow a written prescription, which outlines the defined fire treatment area, specific weather parameters that are required to meet the objectives, the tactics staff will use, and the staffing and equipment resources that are required to…

Florida’s summer weather can change fast. One minute the sun is out, the next a heavy rainstorm rolls through. That’s why we encourage a simple but powerful habit:Watch the weather. Wait to water.If your lawn has already received enough rain, there’s no need to run your irrigation system. Just turn it off and turn it back on only when your yard actually needs it.Why this small habit makes a big impactSaving water can be as easy as paying attention to the weather forecast.…

Eleven-year-old Tommy Money, along with friends Addie Ratliff, 9, and Emily Ratliff, 6, huddled together to discuss what they would name their longleaf pine sapling as they gently placed it into the ground with the help of District Senior Land Management Specialist Will VanGelder. The girls, who pledged to come back and check on the progress of their tree, quickly looked around for mature trees and other landmarks that will help them identify the location of their little…