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Sharing Science With Students Members of the District’s Peace River Basin Board and the District’s mascot, Ripply, helped celebrate the grand opening of a new exhibit at the Explorations V Children’s Museum in Lakeland. The Water Matters! exhibit is a hands-on display that illustrates the water cycle and explains the importance of protecting natural water resources. The exhibit encompasses a 10- by 14-foot area of the museum and includes an activated water cycle, a… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized two Pasco County projects as outstanding school, community grant or volunteer programs that focus on water resources education. A total of 52 projects were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by teachers… Read more

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 suite… Read more

A Polk County Builders Association (PCBA) program aimed at teaching residents about Florida-friendly landscaping was recognized as a finalist in the nonprofit best practice category of the 2009 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards. The “Polk Is Florida-Friendly” program, which received funding from the District’s Alafia River, Hillsborough River and Peace River basin boards, promotes widespread adoption of Florida-Friendly Landscaping® best management practices… Read more

Governing and Basin Board members recently toured project sites in four of the District’s 16 counties. Board members visited projects in Myakka City, the Lake Wales Ridge area, Homosassa’s Chassahowitzka Spring and the Edward Medard Reservoir in Plant City. Myakka River Watershed The first tour offered Board members an opportunity to visit a Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) project and travel through a variety of public lands in the… Read more

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… Read more

In Florida, the winter is full of festivals and events, perfect places for the Southwest Florida Water Management District to spread the word about water conservation!The District will continue to spread its conservation message this year by bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to several community festivals, including the 6th Annual African American Heritage Celebration. The event is Feb. 26 at the Pinewood Cultural Center in Largo.“Special… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns June through September on Potts Preserve and Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps in Citrus County. Potts Preserve is located approximately 2 miles east of the city of Hernando and 3.5 miles… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended the water shortage emergency order for the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority to protect the drinking water supply for more than 250,000 residents. The order is now scheduled to expire on June 25, 2008 unless it is rescinded or extended by Districts Governing Board or executive director. The order was slated to expire April 19, 2008.The executive order (… Read more

Two District education projects were honored during the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s 16th Annual Future of the Region Awards program. The awards recognize notable achievements in resource planning and management in the region.“Bring Back the Bayou”The “Bring Back the Bayou” project received second place in the community service category. Funding from the District ’s Community Education Grant Program helped Kurt Zuelsdorf, owner of… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has extendedthe water shortage emergency order issued Aug. 13 for the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority’s reservoir and two Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wellfields to help protect the drinking water supply for more than 250,000 residents.An executive order signed Wednesday will allow the Authority to continue to… Read more

Two Hernando County projects expected to reach up to 5,700 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.state.… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District agreed to continue funding this year for the Hillsborough County Lake and Stream Monitoring Program.The program is a cooperatively funded effort between Hillsborough County and the District’s Alafia River, Hillsborough River, and Northwest Hillsborough basin boards. The District’s Alafia River Basin Board is contributing $39,664, the Hillsborough River Basin Board is contributing $66,047, and the Northwest… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today approved a project that could replenish the Floridan aquifer by up to two to three million gallons of water per day (mgd).The project involves the development of an alternative water supply at CF Industry’s South Pasture mine, located in Hardee County. The plan is to capture excess surface water and storm water at the mine and route it through a constructed wetlands treatment area, and then to a sand… Read more

Basin Board Members Appointed Governor Charlie Crist recently appointed new members to the Pinellas-Anclote River, Withlacoochee River and Peace River basin boards. Roland Dove and Janet Hoppe were appointed to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. Dove, from New Port Richey in Pasco County, succeeded Mitch Hammer. Hoppe, from Indian Shores in Pinellas County, succeeded Chet Renfro. Burton Eno and Alan Grubman were appointed to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board… Read more

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized the Southwest Florida Water Management District for its part in the Three Sisters Springs land acquisition project. Eric Sutton, former District Land Resources director, and Gary Williams, District senior environmental scientist, were among the 18 individuals and organizations who recently received the Regional Director’s Conservation Award for their roles in the land acquisition project. “It’s great to have the… Read more

Five Polk County projects expected to reach up to 104,000 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.state.fl… Read more

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… Read more