Search Content

Residents enjoy the park’s new boardwalk. Judy Whitehead, Governing Board member, tells how she has enjoyed going to the park all her life. The District and Hernando County celebrated the completion of the expansion and renovation of Bayport Park with a grand reopening ceremony in May. Park visitors are now able to enjoy additional parking, an upgraded boat ramp, shelters, pavilion, a scenic boardwalk along the coastline, nature trails and new…

Dozens of state and community leaders joined the District last week in kicking off the Rock Ponds Ecosystem Restoration Project. The project, located just north of the Manatee County line in Ruskin, will feature more than 1,000 acres of restored  uplands and wetlands when completed in about two years. Executive Director Robert Beltran acknowledged the project was possible thanks to community partners like Hillsborough County.  “Over the years,…

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…

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat:The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this quail hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors.When:Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.Where:The hunt will be…

Four volunteers and an equestrian group who work with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program were presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor that recognizes volunteer dedication and signifies that each volunteer has served the community and country with distinction.The volunteers received their awards Tuesday at the District’s January Governing Board meeting in Brooksville.Elizabeth…

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat:The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this deer hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors. Participants will use specially equipped crossbows and bows during the hunt.…

Paddlers have a chance to be part of history and join the members of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition on their excursion along the Rainbow River. The District is hosting a Trail Mixer in partnership with the Expedition 9 a.m. Jan. 24 at Rainbow…

Left: Brandt Henningsen, senior environmental scientist, receives the Excellence in Restoration Award. Right: Rendering of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Brandt Henningsen, senior environmental scientist, has worked at the District for almost two decades restoring Tampa Bay habitat. Now the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recognized him for his dedication. NOAA’s Restoration Center recently presented Henningsen with the…

Name: Rufus C. Lazzell Basin Board: Peace River Term: First appointed Dec. 3, 2001. Currently in his third term, which expires March 1, 2009. Occupation: Retired Brigadier General, U.S. Army Town of residence: Punta Gorda Hometown: Huntington, West Virginia Reason you applied to be a Basin Board member: …

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently held its annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. This event allows the children of District parents to understand the importance of the work being done at the District. The day is focused on providing an interactive experience for the nearly 80 children to maximize the learning experiences. Activities included demonstrations through the chemistry laboratory, equipment and operations as well as hands-on…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a Final Evaluation Committee Meeting on Wednesday, November 6, at 3:00 p.m. (local time) to evaluate responses to ITN 23-4194 Deferred Compensation 457(b) and Roth Plan Administration. 

Public participation will be provided through online viewing or conference call options The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m. remotely. A public hearing on the FY2021 budget is scheduled for 5:01 p.m. remotely. In-person attendance by Board…

Terra Ceia Preserve State Park will become habitat for many threatened animals, thanks to its recently completed restoration efforts. The 217-acre restoration effort, located in the southeastern reaches of Tampa Bay in Manatee County, is the third phase of a larger 2,308-acre restoration project. “We don’t often have the chance to work on projects of this size, especially in the Tampa Bay area,” said Stephanie Powers, District environmental scientist. “The numerous…

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat: The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this hog hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors.When: Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m.Where: The hunt will…

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat: The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this deer and hog hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors.When:Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.Where: The…

Gov. Charlie Crist has recognized former Governing Board Member Sallie Parks as a Governor’s Point of Light. “Sallie’s generous efforts are making Pinellas County a better place to live, work and play,” said Gov. Crist. “The extent of her philanthropy and involvement in the community is inspiring. I truly appreciate her selfless commitment to the Sunshine State.” The Governor’s Points of Light Award recognizes Florida residents who…

  Boy Scout “D.J.” Ortiz of Troop 203 (right) guides scouts as they place oyster culch bags to help the eroding shorelines of three islands of the Camp Bayou Restoration Project. Those oyster shells you leave behind after ordering at your local restaurant just might help reduce stormwater erosion for our shorelines. That’s what Boy Scout Daniel “D.J.” Ortiz of Troop 203 recently discovered when he completed his Eagle Scout project at Clam Bayou in…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a Preliminary Evaluation CommitteeMeeting on Tuesday, December 19, at 12:00 p.m. (local time) to evaluate responses to RFP 24-4534Physical Risk Assessment. The committee members will discuss their review of the responses and mayselect a firm to award, select firms to be shortlisted for further evaluation, or reject all responses.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a Final Evaluation Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 22, at 11:00 a.m. (local time) to evaluate responses to ITN 24-4426 Broker Services for Health, Property and Casualty, and Worker’s Compensation. 

WhoSouthwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhatThe District has partnered with the NWTF/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this gun hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors. Participants will use shotguns and rifles during the deer and hog hunt.WhenSaturday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m.WhereThe hunt will be held on the District’…