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Purchase Made in Partnership with The Nature Conservancy The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) has closed on the purchase of the environmentally important Rainbow River Ranch. This important land acquisition is about 16 percent of the eastern bank of the Rainbow River, and along with existing public ownership, will allow the District to continue its mission of protecting water resources and this important natural resource. This property and its… Read more

Four Marion 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… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a virtual public meeting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, to discuss updates to the Weekiwachee Preserve Land Management Plan.The District adopts land management plans to ensure its public conservation lands are being managed in ways that are consistent with Florida Statutes and the District’s mission. District lands are acquired to preserve and protect water resources and natural systems while also… Read more

The "Central Florida Water Initiative":http://cfwiwater.com/ (CFWI) Steering Committee today accepted the amended Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) and the draft 2035 Water Resources Protection and Water Supply Strategies Plan (Solutions Plan). Today's action sends the documents to the Governing Boards of three central Florida water management districts for consideration.The RWSP charts a long-term course for water supply in Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and south Lake… Read more

The Starkey Wilderness Preserve is one of the largest undeveloped tracts in Pasco County and protects sensitive environmental areas in the fast-growing western portion of Pasco County. The preserve consists of three tracts: 

• Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
• Serenova Tract
• Anclote River Ranch…

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She couldn’t help it; volunteering is in her blood. In the summer of 2000, Heidi McCree had entered a new phase in her life. She resigned from her position as executive director of the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, wanting to devote more time to her family and her newly adopted son, Alexander. Then came the call from the Governor’s Office. “Have you ever thought about being a Governing Board member?” “There was something within me … I just had to be… Read more

The District’s Governing Board voted to extend the Phase II Water Shortage the Tampa Bay; however, the extended order will allow up to two watering days per week.  In December 2013, the Governing Board enacted Phase II restrictions for lawn watering throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, which allowed one day per week lawn… Read more

A Southwest Florida Water Management District project will help a DeSoto County citrus grower reduce groundwater pumping and improve water quality.This project at the Bright Hour Ranch involves deepening an existing stormwater pond to use as an irrigation reservoir and installing two surface water irrigation pumps, as well as the piping necessary to connect the reservoir to the existing irrigation system.The 743-acre citrus grove is located in the Myrtle Slough watershed of… Read more

Projects expected to inform nearly 300,000 people in Pinellas County about water conservation and water quality issues were recently awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org. This year the District awarded 12 grants Districtwide for a total of $50,319. This is the 15th year "Community Education Grants":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/communitygrants/ have been available. These grants… Read more

_The Extended Order Allows Extra Lawn Watering Day, If Needed_The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/voted today to extend the Phase II Water Shortage in the Tampa Bay; however, the extended order will allow up to two watering days per week. In December 2013, the Governing Board enacted Phase II restrictions for lawn watering throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, which allowed… Read more

TheHighlands Soil and Water Conservation District will receive a $4,950 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to talk to homeowner associations about water conservation and rain sensors.During the presentations, homeowners will also be able to sign up for free rain sensors. The Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District and volunteers will then visit the sites where the rain sensors are installed to ensure that the devices were… Read more

WUPs require submittal of an application form that is dependent upon the annual average quantities requested and one or more supplemental forms. Choose the appropriate application form and include the appropriate supplemental form(s). Application Forms To renew or modify or apply for a new water use permit  (Form LEG-R.100.00; Rule 40D-2.101(1) – May 19, 2014) (Form LEG-R.035.02; Rule 40D-2.331(2)(b) – May 19, 2014) To transfer a water use permit… Read more

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 those 34 grants awarded, six were awarded to groups in Polk County.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is announcing the recipients of the 2005 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 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $107,667.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation,… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is announcing the recipients of the 2005 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 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $107,667.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation,… Read more

Two Sarasota County projects expected to reach up to 23,000 people were recently awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the "District's Basin Boards(Basin Boards)":/about/basinboards/, the program is… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored six outstanding Hillsborough County projects that focused on water resources education. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.The Hillsborough County recipients are listed below. Projects in Hillsborough County received funding from one or more of the following District Basin Boards: Alafia River, Hillsborough… Read more

Top: Ryan Bradley, 8, works on the butterfly garden. Bottom: Christine Owen, Tampa Bay Water water quality assurance officer, led the troop on a tour of the Tampa Bay Water Seawater Desalination Plant (below). Brownie Troop 1373 took an active role in learning about the environment and how to protect it as they worked toward earning the Governor’s “Serve to Preserve” badge. Two District employees, Christy Aulicino,… Read more

 Highlights

• System of 19 interconnected lakes, made up of two major groups; five in the northern chain and 14 in the southern chain
• Lakes were interconnected through the construction of canals to promote commerce
• Located in Polk County
• 32-square-mile watershed

ChallengesTwo main challenges exist in the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes watershed:

• Nutrient loading from urban runoff
• Destruction of natural systems…

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Your Questions Answered March 2021During the past year, we’ve come to appreciate the recreational opportunities of natural Florida like never before. The Weeki Wachee River is one of those breath-taking jewels people love to visit. This river flows about 7 miles from the headspring to where it meets the Gulf of America at Bayport in Hernando County. It’s a popular spot for kayaking and boating, but a recent study found certain recreational activities… Read more