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The Southwest Florida Water Management District was recognized by the Pasco-Hernando Jobs and Education Partnership Regional Board, Inc. as one of the best places to work in the area.This is the first year the partnership has spotlighted local businesses who exhibit extraordinary focus and investment in their employees.The District was named the best place to work in Hernando County among employers with more than 125 employees. One winner was chosen in each county size…

Approximately 10 disabled hunters are expected to participate in a quail hunt, Feb. 9-11, at the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Gilley Creek Tract within the Lake Manatee Reserve. The property will be closed to the public during the event.The Lake Manatee Reserve is located east of the lake in Manatee County. The entrance is located north of Lake Manatee on SR 675.The event, which is organized by the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’…

Approximately 15 disabled hunters are expected to participate in a Hog Still Hunt, Feb. 2-4, on the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alston Tract, which is part of the Upper Hillsborough. The event is organized by the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen.The Alston Tract is located east of Zephyrhills in Pasco and Polk counties. The entrance is off S.R. 39. The property will be closed to the public during the event.This hunt is one of…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alston Tract, which is part of the Upper Hillsborough Tract, will be reserved Dec. 1-3 for an event that allows disabled hunters the opportunity to experience the outdoors. The property will be closed to the public during this time.The Alston Tract is located east of Zephyrhills in Pasco and Polk Counties. The entrance is off S.R. 39.The hunt is a joint effort between the District and the National Wild Turkey Federation/…

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 last spring. That's why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns March through September 2018 on the Lake Panasoffkee property in Sumter County. The Lake Panasoffkee property is located near Interstate 75 and State Road 44. Approximately 500 acres…

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state's recent drought. That's why the Land Management Section of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns during the months of July, August, and September on the Upper Hillsborough property in Polk County. The Upper Hillsborough property is in the area of Chancy Rd. and S.R…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) Public Affairs Bureau was recently recognized by both the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) and the Public Relations Society of America's Sunshine District (PRSA) by receiving some of the organizations' top awards of excellence in public relations. The Restoring Our Springs! Campaign won an Award of Distinction from the FPRA and a statewide Radiance Award from the PRSA.…

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing and Basin Board members and staff, Hernando County commissioners and Parks and Recreation Department staff, the Sensitive Lands CommitteeWhat: The District, County and the Sensitive Lands Committee are celebrating the rededication of Bayport Park.Bayport Park was originally developed in the 1950s with boat launch facilities and a fishing pier. The 1.5-acre historic park site, located…

To see how staff are cleaning up District managed properties click here: https://youtu.be/Ir-hYWT1biQ Feel free to use this video on your website or newscasts. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has reopened the majority of District-managed lands throughout its 16-county region. The Districted closed all District-managed lands in September in…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board members opened their meeting today with remembrances of Board member Ed Chance who died on Monday.In his opening invocation, District General Counsel Bill Bilenky noted that Chance was "driven by a love for us and the people we serve" and that he is now "free of pain and singing gospels with the angels.""Ed was a special friend to all of us," said Governing Board Chair Jerry Rice. "Our District, our state and…

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 February and March at Weekiwachee Preserve in Pasco County. Weekiwachee Preserve is located north of Hudson, west of U.S. Highway 19 and includes the Aripeka Sandhills (Aripeka Road) tract…

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 in July and August at the Deep Creek Preserve in DeSoto County. Deep Creek Preserve is located in southwest DeSoto County, east of Kings Highway. Approximately 542 acres will be burned in…

The public is invited to share ideas concerning potential water resources restoration projects at the upcoming Hernando County Task Force meeting.The meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 8, 3:30 p.m. at the East Hernando County Branch Library located at 6457 Windmere Road in Brooksville.During the meeting the task force will be considering potential restoration projects to enhance fish and wildlife habitats in Hernando County. Examples of restoration projects may include, but are not…

The public is invited to share ideas concerning potential water resources restoration projects at the upcoming Hernando County Task Force meeting.The meeting is Monday, May 4, 3:30 p.m. at the Springs Coast Environmental Education Center, 9170 Cortez Boulevard, Weeki Wachee.During the meeting the task force will be considering potential restoration projects to enhance fish and wildlife habitats in Hernando County. Examples of restoration projects may include, but are not…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Hampton Tract, including closed area tracts at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County, will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts March 18-20.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 30 permits for these hunts have been sold.The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract is located at 14301 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland.This activity is one of a…

As part of a phased approach, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will reopen all campgrounds throughout its 16-county region Wednesday, June 3. Reopening of District campgrounds is consistent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s reopening of camping at many Florida State Parks. To help protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19, the following guidelines will be in place at all District campgrounds:

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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 January through March on the Deep Creek Preserve in DeSoto County. Deep Creek Preserve is located at 10797 Peace…

Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns January through March on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S.…

The public is invited to attend a celebration focusing on the history, restoration and future preservation of Lake Panasofkee on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which is free to the public, is located at the Marsh Bend Outlet River Park on the north side of the bridge on County Road 470 in Sumter County.The celebration includes educational activities for adults and children, kids’ fishing activities, entertainment and a “Lake PanPal”…

Jerry Rice, chair; Judy Whitehead, vice chair; Jennifer Closshey, treasurer; and Neil Combee, secretary, were all elected to their positions in May. A unanimous vote at the May Governing Board meeting elected Talmadge G. “Jerry” Rice as Governing Board chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. “I have had the privilege to serve under four very dynamic and effective chairs, Ronnie Duncan, Tom Dabney, Watson Haynes and Heidi McCree,” said Rice. “…