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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… Read more

February 2025Q: What is an invasive species?A: An invasive species is an organism that does not naturally occur in a specified geographic area, has been introduced intentionally or unintentionally by humans, and either does or could harm the environment, economy or human health. Invasive species pose a significant threat to Florida's ecosystems by impacting water quality, native habitats and biodiversity. Both aquatic and… Read more

 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… Read more

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… Read more

January 2024Q: 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 conditions that are required, the tactics staff will use, and the staffing and equipment resources that are required to safely conduct the… Read more

April 2025Q: What is a spring?A: A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many… Read more

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… Read more

Your Questions Answered August 2019 Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. Chris Reed, Land Management Manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, explains why the District’s prescribed burn efforts are critical to keeping Florida’s ecosystem in balance. Q: What is a… Read more

Your Questions Answered  January 2022 Q: What is a prescribed burn? A: A prescribed burn, also known as a prescribed fire or a controlled burn, is a fire intentionally ignited by land managers to meet specific land management goals. The burns follow a written prescription which outlines: the defined fire treatment area, goals and objectives of the burn, specific weather conditions that are required, the tactics staff will use,… Read more

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… Read more

Your Questions Answered April 2019 April is Springs Protection Awareness Month, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District is committed to protecting the more than 200 springs within the District. To raise awareness about the importance of these natural treasures, Chief Environmental Scientist Dr. Chris Anastasiou answers some commonly asked questions about our springs. Q:  What is a spring? A:… Read more

State of Florida Resources Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services The Department's mission is to safeguard the public and support Florida's agricultural economy. … Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, in cooperation with Hillsborough County, completed the largest habitat restoration project ever done in the history of Tampa Bay.Project BackgroundSince 2009, the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program has been working to design and construct the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay. This project is a cooperative effort between SWIM and the Hillsborough County… Read more