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The Florida black bear is the largest native land mammal in Florida. It is shy and secretive, hiding in dense vegetation and rarely seen in the wild. The Florida black bear has a shiny, black coat of long fur and a light brown nose and snout. Some black bears have white diamond-shaped patterns on their chests. The black bear has a short tail that is almost always hidden by its long fur, and long, sharp claws that help the bear climb trees or dig for food. Bears are…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday modified a water use permit (WUP) for the City of Lake Wales.The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 3,797,300 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 3,821,000 gpd, which is an increase of 23,700 gpd.The quantity was increased because the city began providing potable water to the Waverly service area, which used to…

 Aripeka Sandhills Preserve was acquired as part of the Weekiwachee Preserve on November 8, 2007. This was a joint acquisition with the District and Pasco County. Funding was provided by Penny for Pasco.The preserve is part of a regional system of conservation lands that extends up to Crystal River Buffer Preserve, preserving the southernmost coastal hardwood hammock in western Florida. As part of this large preserve, Aripeka Sandhills preserves important habitat…

Hernando County students at two schools will study the issues surrounding our freshwater resources thanks to "Splash! school grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/schoolgrants/ from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.The Hernando County awardees are:* David Peitzman, *Gulf Coast Academy of Science*, was awarded $1,520. Students will visit several river and spring locations to test water quality and learn about human impacts to Florida's diverse…

Seven Sumter 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 Sumter County to the strong partnership with Sumter County Schools. Christine Burk, career academy specialist for Sumter County Schools, serves as the District's liaison to teachers and helped…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has rescheduled the workshop to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum flow for the Pithlachascotee River in Pasco County. The workshop will take place on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.at the New Port Richey Public Library, located at 5939 Main Street in New Port Richey. The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels for priority water bodies within the District. A…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is proud to announce the recipients of the 2006 Community Education Grant Program. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 34 grants Districtwide for a total of $151,278. Of 34 grants awarded, 11 were given to groups in Hillsborough County.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is…

A Ruskin community recently celebrated the grand opening of a new clubhouse and playground, but its Florida Water Star℠ (FWS) homes are another reason leaders are celebrating.  Bayou Pass Village 4 recently held a dedication of its newest facilities. The community is the product of the Florida Home Partnership, a nonprofit organization that strives to create affordable housing for low income families. Bayou Pass homes achieve FWS certification. FWS is a…

Twelve Hernando County teachers are among the record number of educators who applied for and received Splash! mini-grants through the Southwest Florida Water Management District.This year the District awarded Splash! mini-grants to 209 educators totaling more than $413,000. That’s 72 more grant recipients than last year.Mary Margaret Hull, lead communications coordinator, attributes the increase in awardees to an increase in promotion among the District’s school…

Dave Orner, District facilities and construction project administrator, and Mark Leytze, District facilities and construction service manager, recently completed the LEED professional accreditation program. Two of the District’s General Services Department staff members, Mark Leytze and Dave Orner, recently became professionally accredited in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED). The LEED…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today approved a modification that increases the amount of water Haines City can withdraw per day.The modification increased the citys permitted withdrawals from 3.83 million gallons per day (mgd) to 5.71 mgd. The increases are needed because of an increase in population.Nine wells are associated with this modified permit. Two of the wells are currently agricultural wells and will be retrofitted for public…

March 2024Q:  What is a spring?A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many…

 Just like a great workout strengthens your body, your lawn can benefit from a little training to become healthier and more resilient. This winter, help your lawn build its “water muscles” by skipping a week between irrigation sessions. Cooler temperatures mean your grass naturally requires less water and this seasonal adjustment can save you time, money and resources.  Why Should You Train Your Lawn?When you reduce watering during the winter…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit for Haines City.The permit is being issued for a term of 20 years for 5.9 million gallons per day.The increased quantities are based on population projections, which are predicted to increase from 27,233 to 44,858 people over the next 20 years. The permit term reflects the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Tarpon Springs are working on a project that will increase reclaimed water storage, allowing the city to effectively manage reclaimed water production and supply throughout the year while adding more reclaimed water customers.The project consists of the design and construction of a 3-million-gallon ground storage tank and the piping needed to efficiently control flow of reclaimed water from the plant to the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored Brenda Rogers from the Manatee County Extension for organizing the Manatee County Water School. A total of 26 water resources education projects were recognized Wednesday during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.The 2008 Manatee County Water School reached 50 community, county and municipal decision-makers. The two-day educational program included a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday passed a resolution proclaiming Sept. 9-15 as “Water Reuse Week.”By declaring “Water Reuse Week,” the District joins the Governor’s office and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in an effort to promote water reuse and the need for water conservation.Water reuse is a key component in meeting the current and future water needs of the region.Water reuse…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Monday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for the Town of Lake Placid, which is located in Highlands County.The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 753,600 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 1,192,000 gpd, which is an increase of 438,400 gpd.The increase in quantity is based on an estimated increase in…

Seventeen Manatee 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 Manatee County to the strong partnership with Manatee County Schools. Judy Griffin, curriculum specialist for Manatee County Schools, serves as the District's liaison to teachers and helped…

The best and brightest minds in water reuse from around the world will converge in Tampa this week to take part in the 22nd Annual WateReuse Symposium, which focuses on water reuse and desalination.More than 700 representatives are expected to attend the symposium, which is being held Sept. 9-12 at the Waterside Marriott. This is the first time the WateReuse Association has held its annual event in the Tampa Bay area. The association is a non-profit organization whose…