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Cowboys recently cracked their whips and recreated history on District property. The District hosted the Hernando Southern Heritage Days Cracker Cattle Drive at Potts Preserve in Citrus County. The Cracker Cattle Drive is a yearly event sponsored by the Hernando Heritage Council of About two dozen community leaders and other citizens got an up-close look at the condition of Kings Bay when the District hosted a boat tour last week.  The tour was one of the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Chito Branch Reserve in Hillsborough County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Feb. 25-27.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 10 permits for these hunts have been sold.Chito Branch Reserve is located at 11254 Browning Road in Lithia.This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being…

This is a reminder that the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has prohibited campfires and other sources of open flames in all District campgrounds because of dry conditions and prolonged freeze. This is also in conjunction with numerous county burn bans.Lack of rainfall has made grasses and other light vegetation extremely dry and volatile, increasing the potential for wildfires. Burning is prohibited on these District properties with camping…

 Dave Kupstas, general manager, and Rich Closs, service director, proudly display the Lakeview Grille’s Water PRO certificate. The District’s Water Program for Restaurant Outreach (Water PRO) celebrated its first anniversary with the signing of the 200th restaurant, thanks to the Lakeview Grille at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club in Hillsborough County. “More and more restaurant owners and managers are learning that participating in Water PRO is good…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), in partnership with Tampa Bay Water, announces the successful environmental recovery efforts of the Northern Tampa Bay Water Use Caution Area. The success of the Northern Tampa Bay recovery efforts was detailed at the Governing Board’s February meeting. The Board has concurred that a recovery strategy is no longer required for the area because aquifer levels have rebounded and the health of the lakes…

Polk county residents and families are invited to attend Water, Wings & Wild Things at Circle B Bar Reserve this Halloween. The free, annual event takes place Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Water, Wings & Wild Things features more than 40 exhibitors providing fun opportunities to learn about the area’s nature and conservation efforts, including planting with native plants, water conservation and litter prevention.The Southwest Florida Water Management…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is offering six easy ways to prepare for your holiday meals and travels without running up your water bill.During the holidays, water plays a role in everything from preparing your food to prepping your home for time away during this festive season. Here’s how to incorporate water conservation into your holiday plans:

• Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water…

The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County was recently ablaze with activity. District and Division of Forestry staff decked out in firefighting gear were spread out along the fire lines of the prescribed burn while Black Hawk helicopters buzzed through the air and media photographers looked on. The activity was part of a 296-acre controlled burn designed as a joint training mission among the District, the Division of Forestry and the Air National Guard.…

The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County was recently ablaze with activity. District and Division of Forestry staff decked out in firefighting gear were spread out along the fire lines of the prescribed burn while Black Hawk helicopters buzzed through the air and media photographers looked on. The activity was part of a 296-acre controlled burn designed as a joint training mission among the District, the Division of Forestry and the Air National Guard.…

District scientists and planners recently completed an updated Regional Water Supply Plan to assess projected water demands and identify potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025. The Regional Water Supply Plan was first developed in 2001 and is periodically revised based on updated information such as the demand for water. The plan, which was created for a ten-county area from Pasco County to Charlotte County, also identifies the…

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 Feb. 25-27.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 control the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Monday approved the renewal and consolidation of five water use permits (WUP) for Hernando County Utilities’ east service area.The consolidated permit includes an increase of 2,791,817 gallons of water per day (gpd) based on projected population growth in the east service area, which is expected to reach approximately 25,000 residents by the year 2014. The new permitted annual average day quantity for the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water Management District have scheduled a virtual joint public meeting at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, to solicit stakeholder input on each district’s annual update of their priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and water levels as well as water reservations.Participants can join the virtual meeting at …

Five Sarasota County teachers were awarded Splash! school grants through the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.Mary Margaret Hull, District lead communications coordinator, attributes the effectiveness of the grant program in Sarasota County to the strong partnership with Sarasota County Schools. Brad Porinchak, science program specialist for Sarasota County Schools, serves as the District's liaison to teachers and…

Students at The Kindergarten Learning Center in Highlands County will study water use and water conservation thanks to a "Splash! school grant":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/schoolgrants/ from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The goal of the Splash! school grant program is to provide teachers with funding to enhance student knowledge of topics that meet the District's core mission and teach students about their local watersheds, water conservation,…

Viewing the pine flatwoods, cypress ponds and wildlife-filled wetlands on horseback is one of the many great recreational experiences that can be enjoyed on District lands.A Time-Honored Tradition Long-distance rides, multiday rides and overnight trail camping are some of the unique equestrian opportunities offered. Lands that have enough trail miles for a half-day ride or longer are generally open for equestrian use. Equestrian parking areas have been designed to…

Hotels and motels in Manatee and Sarasota counties now have the opportunity to participate in a successful water conservation program known as Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water C.H.A.M.P.)As part of the program, the Southwest Florida Water Management District invites hotel and motel owners, operators and management to participate in a “linens and towels reuse program.” The District supplies printed materials for guest rooms and educational…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ will be treating water lettuce on the Rainbow River during the week of Jan. 10–14.District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from the head spring to the Withlacoochee River.Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Knockout and post warning signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and water use restrictions. Treated river water should not be used…