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Talkin' Turkey The District and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen continued their successful partnership by holding a turkey hunt in March at the District’s Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County. The Wheelin’ Sportsmen is dedicated to providing all people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The group organizes hunting and fishing events, recreational shooting and other outdoor activities. More than 20…

Television viewers throughout the District are learning about Florida-friendly landscaping through the District’s new advertising campaign. The series of three commercials feature people enjoying beautiful Florida-friendly yards while homeowners and landscaping experts tell the viewer more about the nine basic principles. Portions of the commercials were taped at Lakewood Ranch, a development in Sarasota and Manatee counties that is certified by the Florida Green…

Slough Going Sarasota County is experiencing the benefits of the recently completed Deer Prairie Slough Restoration Project. The project goal was to restore the historic hydrology and improve the habitat value of the 3,200-acre Deer Prairie Slough, which is part of Sarasota County’s T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve. The reserve, parts of which have been adversely impacted by ditching and draining efforts, lies within the Myakka River watershed, is part of the…

Explaining ASR Technology Too little or too much? With an average of 50-plus inches of rainfall per year, Florida is one of the wettest in the nation. It’s all about timing, however. Ironically, more than 60 percent of the annual precipitation falls between June and November — the very time human demand is at its lowest. In addition, the high evaporation rate that occurs during this time means that only a small portion of that rainfall soaks into the ground to help…

Small general permits and general water use permit holders can now take care of all their permitting needs on the District’s Water Management Information System. The system is being designed to centralize information from the District’s well construction permitting, resource data, water use permitting and environmental resource permitting databases, making it easily accessible for both staff and the public. Upon completion, the system will increase the amount of…

Overwatering in Winter Can Encourage Pests and Disease The Southwest Florida Water Management District is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” of watering during the cooler months of December, January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. Furthermore, if your lawn…

The Governing Board voted June 29 to let water shortage restrictions expire on June 30. The Governing Board voted to lift the restrictions in response to significant improvements in aquifer and river levels as a result of this winter’s above-average rainfall. Moreover, the region’s major public water suppliers have been able to capture and store large supplies of water to meet the needs of residents. However, the Board urged residents to continue the water conservation…

Visitors to this year’s Florida State Fair will have the opportunity to learn about the drought and water conservation when they visit the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s information booth and water-conserving restroom trailer.The District will promote water conservation and Florida-friendly landscaping at the fair, which is being held Feb. 7-18 in Tampa.“Because the area is experiencing a severe drought, water conservation is even more…

An annual Marion County event is growing! This year the 3rd Annual Springs Festival will be held Sept. 24-26, in three different locations. In past years the festival was a one-day event.“We are excited about being able to engage more children in learning about the spring’s preservation with programs such as our art show and our community outreach efforts,” said Criss Specht, Environment, Government & Tourism Director, Ocala/Marion County Chamber of…

Abnormally dry conditions and the lightning that accompanies summer rains have combined to keep the District’s Land Management staff extremely busy this wildfire season, which typically runs from April through June. Since the beginning of May through the end of July, the District and the Florida Division of Forestry (FDOF) have battled more than 40 fires on District lands, including two that were more than 400 acres each. As of mid-August, wildfires burned 2,076 acres…

table(webalert). |*Who:*|Southwest Florida Water Management District, City of Gulfport and City of St. Petersburg. Additional funding provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.||*What:*|The Clam Bayou Restoration and Stormwater Treatment Project marks the final step in a multi-agency effort to restore 64 acres of estuarine and coastal habitats and create 20 acres of ponds to treat stormwater runoff…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is inviting the public to comment on proposed "minimum flows and levels(Minimum Flows and Levels)":/mfl (MFLs) for the upper and middle Withlacoochee River at a public workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The workshop will be held from 6:30 to approximately 9 p.m. at the "District's headquarters(Google map)":http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=2379+Broad+Street,+Brooksville,+FL+…

As the Invasive Plant Threatens to Gain a Foothold in the Green Swamp, Agencies Cooperate to Fight It Photo courtesy USDI National Park Service With threats from new invasive plants and animal species continuing to rise in Florida, the District is battling to keep Old World climbing fern from infesting the 560,000-acre Green Swamp. Old World climbing fern, a new invasive vine, is spreading northward from south Florida and has been detected and treated as…

Guest speakers, songs and outdoor activities will be featured at the 7th Annual Marion County Springs Festival, which is being held Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver River State Park. On Sunday, Sept. 21, several guided hikes and paddling trips are planned.On Saturday a variety of experts will speak about Florida’s aquifer system, as well as Florida’s springs and springs protection. Speakers include Fay Baird, a senior hydrologist with…

Did you know that you can save hundreds of gallons of water per month by only running your washing machine and dishwater when it is full? This simple step, along with the other tips below can reduce your indoor water consumption.While the Southwest Florida Water Management District advocates water conservation year-round, an extra effort is being made to promote conservation throughout April. Governments and water management districts throughout the state have declared…

Information on how residents can conserve water during the drought will be a focal point at this year’s Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival being held Jan. 19-20 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.The Southwest Florida Water Management District will promote water conservation and Florida-friendly landscaping with its water-conserving restroom at the annual event.“Because the area is experiencing a severe drought, water conservation is even more crucial,” said Melissa…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about proposed minimum and guidance levels for selected Pasco County lakes.A public workshop will be held to discuss proposed levels for King Lake, King Lake (East) and Lake Linda. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard (U.S. Highway 41), Land O’ Lakes.A minimum flow or level (MFL) is the limit at which…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) invites the public to a workshop on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. at the Marion Oaks Community Center, located at 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on the proposed minimum flows for Gum Slough Spring Run in Marion and Sumter Counties.The Florida Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within the District.…

Visitors of the 13th Annual Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival will have the opportunity to experience water conservation in action when they stop in and use the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s water conservation restroom station.The festival is being held March 10 and 11 at the Marion County Extension Service Office in Ocala. The office is located at 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Rd.Community festivals allow the District to spread the word…