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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,…

A Southwest Florida Water Management District scientist has received a prestigious honor from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).Brandt Henningsen, District senior environmental scientist, was presented with the Excellence in Restoration Award by NOAA’s Restoration Center at the Pinellas County Environmental Fund’s (PCEF) conservation partners meeting in May.The award was created by NOAA to publicly recognize it’s partners who have…

Members of the Calusa Lakes & Woodland Trail Homeowners Association in Venice are briefed on how to install Florida-friendly landscaping and a micro-irrigation system. Before clearing a pond of unwanted, invasive plants, residents from Pelican Cove in Sarasota learned how fertilizer and pesticide use affects local stormwater ponds. If you are interested in organizing a project that provides your neighborhood, community group or the general public…

Join outdoor enthusiasts across the country June 5 as they celebrate the "American Hiking Society's(American Hiking Society)":http://www.americanhiking.org National Trails Day®.The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us is celebrating National Trails Day by inviting the public to ""Get Outside!"(Get outside and explore your conservation lands)":/recreation and explore the more than 850 miles…

Taking Top Honors The District received four Crystal Awards at this year’s Florida Government Communicators Association Award Banquet. The FGCA Crystal Awards recognize excellence in government communications. The District won three first-place awards. The awards are for the following categories: • Internet Web Page, “Interactive Green Swamp Web Site” • External Publication, “Sprinkles” • Single Topic Publication, “Florida Waters” The District also…

This year District volunteers will take part in the 14th Annual National Public Lands Day, a yearly opportunity for Americans to improve and enhance the public lands they enjoy. The event, which is Saturday, Sept. 29, is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort. District staff and volunteers will be conducting a beach cleanup at the District’s Piney Point Tract, which is located in southern Hillsborough County. For more information and to learn how you can…

A Well Construction Permit is required prior to installation of a water well within the District. The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors and meet rigid safety and durability standards. The rules in Chapter 40D-3, F.A.C. govern the construction of water wells and water well contractor licensing, and implement the provisions of…

Twelve Pinellas County projects were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. 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 49 grants Districtwide for a total of $171,444. This is the 10th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to…

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled anglers, boy scoutsWhat: The District and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department have partnered with the NWTF/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this fishing derby, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors.When:…

Ron Oakley, his wife, Tamara, and their daughters Ashley and Hannah Mae. For Ronald Eugene Oakley, “Your word is who you are. Be honest, truthful and treat people right.” Ron believes in making meaningful connections to people, to the land and to his faith. Born in Dade City, his Christian upbringing shaped the man he has become. His mother, Mae Belle Oakley, set a wonderful example for Ron to follow as she did volunteer work at the First Baptist Church and…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of Shell and Prairie creeks June 18-21. The sites are located upstream of the Henderson Dam in Charlotte County.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs that display treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Treated river water should not be used…

WaterMatters has gone digital! Each week, you'll find a range of stories about the District such as key issues, restoration projects, behind-the-scenes interviews and coverage of public events. We'll also feature helpful tips like how to conserve water, understand the latest water restrictions or navigate services offered through the District. The new format also will allow you to follow blog updates through our social media channels of Facebook and Twitter, where you…

Several members of the District’s Basin Boards and District staff were able to get a closer look at some innovative, water-conserving farming techniques when they visited two area commercial nurseries. The tour, which was organized by the Florida Nurserymen, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), featured the Riverview Flower Farm’s Wimauma location and the Sun City Tree Farm, as well as a tour of the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education…

Just in time for National Public Lands Day, the District is launching its “Get Outside!” campaign on September 26 to promote the District’s lands to the public. “Get Outside!” is a communications campaign based on research that focuses on what would make people more likely to get outside on District lands. The goal of the campaign is to promote the value of ecosystem protection through recreation on conservation lands. The District has…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the Southworth Tract, a 589-acre parcel of land located within the Weekiwachee Preserve. This important property purchase will allow the District to substantially complete the Weekiwachee Preserve Project by connecting seven District-owned parcels. This acquisition meets all four of the District’s Areas of Responsibility, which are water supply, water quality,…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is celebrating 10 years of Community Education Grants. The program motivates adults to get involved in education projects that promote water resources protection.The District is once again soliciting applications for grants up to $5,000 to be used for projects that provide adults with an opportunity to learn about water-related issues pertaining to conservation, protection and preservation. Government agencies, private…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) recognizes May 13-19 as Water Reuse Week to focus the public on the benefits of expanding this important water resource. The District’s Governing Board signed a resolution proclaiming Water Reuse Week at its April…

The Governing Board declared April Springs Protection Awareness Month at today’s Governing Board meeting. The move is part of the District’s ongoing effort to restore and protect area springs and encourage community involvement. The Governing Board also recognized some of its springs community partners. They are:

• Alys Brockway – She organized the Hernando County Groundwater Guardian Committee since 2002. The group helps educate the public about the…

h2. Additional Lines Will Add 300 CustomersMore than 300 residential water customers in the Clearwater Harbor area will have access to reclaimed water when a pipe installation project now under way is complete in 2012.With funding assistance from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/, the City of Clearwater is adding more than 34,000 feet of reclaimed water pipes to the area. The project will provide capacity for…