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District staff helped community leaders celebrate the completion of the Lutz Lake Fern Road Trailhead and new section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, which now connects to the Suncoast Trail. Hillsborough County recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new segment. The 4.35-mile section marks the completion of the northernmost segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.  Colleen Kruk, the District’s lead land use specialist, spoke at the event, noting this… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hampton Tract, which is part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, will be the site of hog hunts March 10-13 and March 24-27. The tract will be temporarily closed to the public and only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract’s entrance is at the intersection of Rockridge Road and… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hampton Tract, which is part of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, will be the site of hog hunts Feb. 10-13 and Feb.24-27. The tract will be temporarily closed to the public and only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract’s entrance is at the intersection of Rockridge Road and Deen… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Flying Eagle Nature Center":http://hoghunts.watermatters.org/mcgregor.php will be temporarily closed to the public for wild hog hunts Dec. 14-16.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road, Inverness.This activity is one of a series of wild hog hunts being held on District… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Green Swamp – Hampton Tract will be temporarily closed to the public for wild hog hunts Dec. 4-6.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The area is located at 18490 Rock Ridge Road in Polk County, north of Lakeland and east of Zephyrhills.This activity is one of a series of wild hog hunts being held on District lands in an effort to control… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Deep Creek Preserve":http://www2.swfwmd.state.fl.us/hoghunt/deepcreek.php will be closing early to the public for hog hunts Nov. 27-29.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Deep Creek Preserve is located at 10797 SW Peace River Street in Arcadia.The hunt is one of a series of hog hunts being held on District lands in an effort to… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Flying Eagle Nature Center will be temporarily closed to the public for wild hog hunts Nov. 23-25.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road, Inverness.This activity is one of a series of wild hog hunts being held on District lands in an effort to control the damage being… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will close all District-managed lands throughout its 16-county region on Wednesday, Sept. 6 in anticipation of impacts from Hurricane Irma.The following properties will be closed until further notice:•Annutteliga Hammock•Chassahowitzka River – Burnt Bridge Road entrance•Chito Branch Reserve•Conner Preserve•Cypress Creek Preserve•Deep Creek Preserve•Ed Chance Reserve- Coker Prairie Tract•Ed Chance Reserve- Gilley… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Conner Preserve":http://www2.swfwmd.state.fl.us/hoghunt/conner.php will be temporarily closed to the public for wild hog hunts Nov. 6-8.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold."Conner Preserve":http://… Read more

When Governor Charlie Crist announced his Green Initiative this summer during the climate change summit in Miami, the District’s managers heard him loud and clear. “The District is already a leader in water conservation,” said David Moore, District executive director. “Incorporating energy-efficient practices into the District’s day-to-day operations makes sense and fits into our focus on sustainable growth and environmental responsibility.” The District’s goal is… Read more

Two events in August allowed District staff the opportunity to interact with District Governing Board officers. Governing Board Chair Heidi McCree attended the biannual employee meetings at each of the District service offices. On behalf of the Governing Board, McCree expressed appreciation for “the tireless work and creativity” demonstrated by District staff. “As a Governing Board chair I have the opportunity to travel around the state and meet with others… Read more

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns July through September at the following Hillsborough County properties:  

• Lower Hillsborough… Read more

As Hermine descended on Florida’s west coast earlier this month, District staff sprang into action to help respond to and prevent flooding from the first hurricane to hit the state since Wilma in 2005.  With the EOC at a level two activation, it was all hands on deck as employees from across the District got involved.  Flash flood advisories issued in Pasco County had Fleet Services and Field Operations staff working up to 16-hour shifts deploying,… Read more

Surrounding the crystal waters of Three Sisters Springs, visitors could easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The erosion has caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to collapse. It has meant a loss of habitat and dangerous conditions for visitors. That’s why the District is restoring the shoreline around Three Sisters Springs. A floating platform was placed inside the spring to allow access to the shoreline, which is surrounded by trees… Read more

From toddlers to grandparents, volunteers of all ages recently planted salt marsh at the District’s Rock Ponds restoration site.  About 275 volunteers from across the Tampa Bay area joined the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management Program and Tampa Bay Watch in the planting of 32,000 marsh grass plugs. Hillsborough County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped organize the event.  The plants were installed at the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is contributing $36,392 to continue to fund the Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance to help preserve and protect the Hillsborough River Watershed.The alliance, formerly known as the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, is a collaborative public-private partnership whose mission is to preserve and protect the natural resources of the Hillsborough River watershed through coalition building, education, research,… Read more

As part of a partnership between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen, seven events for disabled outdoor enthusiasts are planned each year. Here is a look at the outdoor opportunities planned on District-owned land this year.*Modern Gun Hunt Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, Polk Nov. 17-19*Muzzle Loader Hunt Upper Hillsborough, Alston Tract, Pasco Dec. 1-3*Cross Bow Hunt Starkey… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alston Tract, which is part of the Upper Hillsborough Preserve, will be temporarily closed to the public for hog hunts Nov. 17-19.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Alston Tract is located at 42144 Deems Road southeast of Zephyrhills in Pasco and Polk counties.The hunt is one of a series of hog hunts being held on District… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is providing children the opportunity to participate in one of two free youth hog hunts at the District’s Edward W. Chance Reserve’s Gilley Creek Tract in Manatee County.The hog hunts are scheduled for Oct.17-18 and Oct. 24-25. All youth hunters must be accompanied by at least one adult. During both hunts, participants will use blinds. Dogs will not be used in either hunt.Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Orlando and… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's "Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve":http://hoghunts.watermatters.org/ will be the site of wild hog hunts at night Jan. 22-24.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property at night during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located east of Interstate 75 and north of US 301 near the New Tampa area.This activity is one of a series of wild hog… Read more