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Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director David L. Moore this month declared a modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage that restricts lawn watering to one day per week throughout the 16-county District. The restrictions apply to the use of water from public and private water utilities, as well as the use of all wells and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.). The order went into effect January 16 and will remain in place until July 31 unless…

 Alberto Martinez, Tampa Regulation Department environmental manager, appears in the District’s Spanish language radio and television advertisements concerning water conservation and the drought. Drought efforts continue to remain a priority as the District anticipates a drier than normal spring. Despite recent rainfall, the District’s 24-month rainfall deficit is 20.9 inches below normal. As a result, river flows, groundwater levels and other hydrologic…

 Photo left: Monica Dorken is ready with a bucket as Susan Harris, Hill-Gustat Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade teacher, holds a puffer fish she captured during their wading tour as Liz Abell, Sun ’n Lake Elementary fourth-grade teacher, looks on. Photo right: Monica Dorken, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center educator/program coordinator, checks to see what Dorothea Strickland, K–12 science resource teacher, caught in her net. Highlands County…

District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population. Feral hogs, which are not native to Florida, can cause damage with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed field. They also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans. Additionally, hogs may facilitate the spread of exotic plant…

Information on how residents can conserve water during the drought will be a focal point at this year’s Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival being held March 8 – 9 at the Marion County Extension Service Office in Ocala. The office is located at 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Rd.The restroom trailer features the District’s new “Reduce Your Use” water conservation campaign and Florida-friendly landscaping tips through displays and free…

Visitors will find it easier to navigate some of their favorite trails thanks to new features at some of the Southwest Florida Water Management District's properties.The District created new trail maps and other information at kiosks on site to enrich the experience when exploring properties. The new trail maps were created for 16 of the District's most popular properties using detailed information including global positioning coordinates. The properties with the new maps…

In an effort to promote increased water conservation during the ongoing drought, the Southwest Florida Water Management District will bring its water-conserving restroom to several area festivals and events.The first event will be this weekend’s Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, which is being held at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.“The District encourages year-round water conservation,” said Melissa Roe, project manager for the District. “But as the region…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is expanding the availability of reclaimed water to new residential developments through a new grant program aimed at builders and developers.The goal of the Grants for Reclaimed Irrigation Projects (GRIP) program, which was developed from a recommendation by the District’s Reclaimed Water Task Force, is to help offset the cost of installing reclaimed water distribution lines in new residential developments. Transmission…

  With the rainy season upon us, now is the perfect time to build a rain barrel. The water savings from using stored rainwater rather than municipal or well water can be substantial over a period of time. A rain barrel also can help reduce the amount of water that may settle around the foundation of your home. A typical ½-inch rainfall will fill a 50-gallon barrel. In fact, during a ½-inch rainstorm, a normal roof of about 1,000 square feet can fill more…

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat:The District has partnered with the NWTF/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this turkey hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors. Participants will only use shotguns during the hunt.When:Saturday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Where:The hunt will be held on the District’…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) recently completed an evaluation of public hunting facilities on District lands that indicated a 64 percent increase in hunting opportunities.The District owns a total of 331,700 acres with almost half dedicated to public hunting programs. Of the 331,700 acres, there are 133,795 acres committed to agreements with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, totaling 10 sites within six counties.Wildlife…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFL) for lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined.A minimum flow or level is the limit at which further water withdrawals will cause significant harm to the water resources and/or environment. The District Governing Board sets these limits as part of achieving the delicate balance between meeting human water needs and those…

In celebration of Water Conservation Month, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is bringing its water conservation restrooms to the Sharks Tooth Festival. The event is being held April 7-9 near Venice.Community festivals allow the District to spread the word about water conservation to a variety of audiences by bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to a variety of people.“The water conservation restroom trailer is a practical and…

Race fans will be able to enjoy the comforts of a water-conserving restroom station at this year’s Little Everglades Steeplechase. The Southwest Florida Water Management District aims to make the event more “Florida-friendly” by bringing the water conservation restroom station to the race, which is being held March 5 at the Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.“Bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to community festivals like…

Attendees of this year’s African American Heritage Celebration will be able to enjoy the comforts of a water-conserving restroom. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is bringing its water conservation restroom station to the event, which is being held Feb. 25 at the Pinewood Cultural Center in Largo.“Bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to community festivals like the Annual African American Heritage Celebration is an effective way to…

A scientific review panel endorses the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s approach to setting minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for the Middle Peace River.“This was an important endorsement because the methodologies and science used to develop minimum flows and levels on the Middle Peace River are the same that will be applied to freshwater river segments throughout the District,” said Martin Kelly, manager of the District’s Ecological Evaluation section.A minimum…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is doing double duty next weekend to spread the word about water conservation in Pinellas County.The District is bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving restroom trailer to Pinellas County’s Earthfest and the Mainsail Arts & Crafts Show.Earthfest is April 16 at Pinellas County Extension Service office in Largo. The Mainsail Arts & Crafts Show is April 16-17 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg.“…

In Florida, the winter is full of festivals and events, perfect places for the Southwest Florida Water Management District to spread the word about water conservation!The District will continue to spread its conservation message this year by bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to several community festivals, including the 6th Annual African American Heritage Celebration. The event is Feb. 26 at the Pinewood Cultural Center in Largo.“Special…

Southwest Florida Water Management District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District land this fall and winter to help reduce the wild hog population. Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, prospective hunters can purchase permits for these hunts on the District's website at "HogHunts.WaterMatters.org":http://HogHunts.WaterMatters.org. Permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, or until they are sold out.…

Who: Representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of InvernessWhat: The city is holding a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on a reclaimed water transmission line. This $2 million project is being funded by the District’s Withlacoochee River Basin Board and the city.When: Monday, Feb. 4, 5 p.m.Where: The Inverness Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at 3900 S. Florida Ave., Inverness.Why: The District and the…