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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: …

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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’…

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, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. remotely. In-person attendance by Board members and staff will be limited in accordance with the directive in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Emergency Order to conduct all public meetings electronically. With the exception of…

​ Today’s professionals need to not only develop their technical skills but also soft skills like a strong work ethic and positive attitude if they want to build a solid career path. That’s according to Scott Letasi, the District’s Project Management Office chief. Letasi spoke about how to build a solid career foundation when the District hosted the American Water Resources Association’s (AWRA) Young Professionals Lunch and Learn Wednesday, June 26. The purpose…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is hosting an online webinar to discuss the Cooperative Funding Initiative (CFI) for fiscal year 2027. During the webinar, District staff will review the application process, discuss policy and program changes, and answer specific project-related questions. The webinar is open to the public and anyone thinking of applying for cooperative funding is encouraged to attend. All attendees must register ahead of time using…

Environmental Concern An Oldsmar Boy Scout was recently honored by the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board for his work on a project at the Brooker Creek Preserve. Mark Brandon of Troop 64 of Oldsmar designed and created self-guided tour material for one of the nature trails in the preserve. Mark found out about the need for trail markers at Brooker Creek through his mom, Sue Brandon, who volunteers at the Preserve. Mark is a Life Scout, one step below an Eagle…

Justin Torre is a shining example of how hard work, loyalty and patience can pay dividends. He started with the District in 2000 as an administrative officer in the Information Resources Department. It was a convenient job while he studied for his bachelor’s degree in management information systems at the University of South Florida. After only a couple of months, however, Torre got his first break and began working in IT as a student intern.…

Winning runners earn gator heads for running fast through the swamp. The race course wound through, not just near, the water. Right: Louis Rufo crosses the finish line for his team, Riot. Some people like to camp on District land, some like to ride horses, some like to hike and some like to fish. Then there are those people who like to run 50 miles through river and swamp in the dead of winter. More than 300 of those running-through-the-river types invaded the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is joining forces with the Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance to celebrate the Hillsborough River and its watershed by declaring Nov. 15 through 22 as “Watershed Awareness Week.”The District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board is co-sponsoring Watershed Awareness Week in an effort to foster good watershed stewardship.The Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance is a public-private, non-profit organization that…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is about to begin a three-year restoration project at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve. The project will restore 951 acres of uplands, including degraded scrub and sand hill communities.Sand pine has taken over much of the area due to the lack of fire, which naturally maintains the quality of a habitat. In addition, decades of vegetative debris has built up, leaving the area at risk for uncontrollable wildfires.This…

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat:The District has partnered with the NWTF/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this turkey hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors. Participants will only use shotguns during the hunt.When:Saturday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Where:The hunt will be held on the District’…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently celebrated the contribution of hundreds of volunteers to the improvement of District lands with a Volunteer Appreciation Day.Approximately 300 volunteers are involved with the District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program. These volunteers play an important role in maintaining the District’s many recreational trails and campgrounds.“District volunteers have put in hours and hours of time helping develop…