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h2. District Seeking Public Input on Proposals for Four PropertiesThe Southwest Florida Water Management District recently completed an evaluation of eight District-managed lands to determine if additional hunting opportunities are available. Draft proposals for four of these lands will be presented at a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 5. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lecanto Government Building, 3600 West Sovereign Path, Suite 166, Lecanto. The draft proposals…

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. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September on Potts Preserve and Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps in Citrus County. Potts Preserve…

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. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September at the following Hillsborough County properties:  

• Lower Hillsborough…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alston Tract, which is part of the Upper Hillsborough Preserve, will be temporarily closed to the public for hog hunts Nov. 17-19.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Alston Tract is located at 42144 Deems Road southeast of Zephyrhills in Pasco and Polk counties.The hunt is one of a series of hog hunts being held on District…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is providing children the opportunity to participate in one of two free youth hog hunts at the District’s Edward W. Chance Reserve’s Gilley Creek Tract in Manatee County.The hog hunts are scheduled for Oct.17-18 and Oct. 24-25. All youth hunters must be accompanied by at least one adult. During both hunts, participants will use blinds. Dogs will not be used in either hunt.Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Orlando and…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hampton Tract in Polk County, will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Feb. 12-14. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for this hunt have been sold. The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve’s Hampton Tract is located at 18490 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Flying Eagle Nature Center in Citrus County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 15-17. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold. Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road in Inverness. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Alston Tract at Upper Hillsborough Preserve in Pasco County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 8-10. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold. The Alston Tract is located at 42144 Deems Road in Zephyrhills. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is contributing $36,392 to continue to fund the Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance to help preserve and protect the Hillsborough River Watershed.The alliance, formerly known as the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, is a collaborative public-private partnership whose mission is to preserve and protect the natural resources of the Hillsborough River watershed through coalition building, education, research,…

As part of a partnership between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen, seven events for disabled outdoor enthusiasts are planned each year. Here is a look at the outdoor opportunities planned on District-owned land this year.*Modern Gun Hunt Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, Polk Nov. 17-19*Muzzle Loader Hunt Upper Hillsborough, Alston Tract, Pasco Dec. 1-3*Cross Bow Hunt Starkey…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the public to participate in a workshop aimed at updating the management plan for the Chassahowitzka Riverine Swamp Sanctuary property.The workshop will be held at the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park visitor center on U.S. 19 (4150 South Suncoast Blvd.) on Tuesday, July 26, at 6 p.m.The Sanctuary property encompasses approximately 5,700 acres, which protects an extensive area of coastal floodplain and…

The District’s Governing Board voted Tuesday for the latest slate of officers for the 2022-2023 term. Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks and ensure the public’s water needs are met. The new officers are:…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hampton Tract, including closed area tracts at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County, will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Feb. 1-3. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for this hunt have been sold. The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract is located at 14301 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland. This activity is one…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a Preliminary Evaluation Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (local time) to evaluate responses to RFP 25-4847 Digital Accessibility Solution. The committee members will discuss their review of the responses and may select a firm to award, select firms to be shortlisted for further evaluation, or reject all responses. 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will open Phase 2 hog hunt registration Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 9 a.m. The District holds a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population. What you need to know about Phase 2 hunts:

• Phase 2 will include six hunts that occur January through February 2022.
• Permits are transferable.
• The single top producer on each hunt of Phase…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Alston Tract at Upper Hillsborough Preserve in Pasco County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 9-11. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 11 permits for these hunts have been sold. Alston Tract is located at 42144 Deems Road in Zephyrhills. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Flying Eagle Nature Center in Citrus County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 2-4. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 20 permits for these hunts have been sold. Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road in Inverness. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands…

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. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September on Potts…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 26-28. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold. Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve is located at 15430 SW CR 484 in Dunnellon. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Flying Eagle Nature Center in Citrus County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 12-14. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold. Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road in Inverness. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to…