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The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) will hold a series of public workshops to gather feedback for the biennial assessment of surplus lands. The meetings will take place at the following times and locations:•March 19, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.*Bartow - Carver Recreation Center*, 520 Idlewood Avenue S, Bartow, FL 33830 •March 24, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.*Sarasota Service Office*, 6750 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34240•April 1, 2015 at…

This past rainy season proved to be one of the busiest in recent history for the District’s Structure Operations staff.  “It was definitely one of the most difficult seasons in the last 10 years,” said Mike Bartlett, chief structure controls analyst. “And that’s including the 2004 hurricane season.”  What made it so difficult was the steady rain this season from frequent thunderstorms caused by the sea breeze. These type of storms often produce a lot of…

Who's Who at the District At a time when most people often begin planning for their retirement, Betty Rushton was beginning her career in environmental science. “This is my second career,” said Rushton. “My first was a homemaker.” After raising four sons, Rushton went back to school at age 50 to finish her undergraduate degree in environmental studies at New College in Sarasota. But Rushton didn’t stop there, she continued on until she received her master’s in…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) will hold a series of public meetings for the 2013 Recreation Evaluation process.District staff has conducted a review and evaluation of recreational opportunities on District-managed lands. The public is invited to review staff's preliminary findings and provide input at any of four scheduled regional public information meetings. These meetings will be an open house format and take…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a feral hog management hunt on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County Jan. 12-14. The property will be closed to the public from dusk until dawn during the hunts. Normal daytime operations in the park will not be affected. Only permitted hunters will be allowed nighttime access on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be holding a feral hog management hunt on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County Nov. 17-19. The property will be closed to the public from dusk until dawn during the hunts. Normal daytime operations in the park will not be affected. Only permitted hunters will be allowed nighttime access on the property during these dates. All 20 permits for these hunts have been…

Whether students are in the classroom or learning from home, the District’s Splash! school grants are the perfect way to provide a hands-on opportunity to learn about water resources. The District’s Splash! school grant program provides funding to public and charter school educators to help enhance knowledge of freshwater resource topics. Applications are due Aug. 31 and for the first time, these grants can be used to support both in-person and virtual experiences…

Who: Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing and Basin Board members, District staff, members of the Withlapopka Civic AssociationWhat: The District and the association are celebrating the dedication of Withlapopka Community Park, which is located within the Flying Eagle Preserve. The park was built as a result of a partnership between the District and the civic association.When: Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m.Where: The park is located at 10357 East Gobbler Drive…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen have agreed to continue a successful partnership that allows disabled outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to participate in planned events on District land throughout the year.As part of a pilot program, three events were jointly organized by the District and the NWTF/Wheelin’ Sportsmen last year including a deer/hog hunt, a turkey hunt, and a fishing…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this week is beginning removal of hurricane-generated debris.Removal will focus on the Peace River and its tributaries within Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, and Polk Counties. Portions of the Alafia River and Flint Creek in Hillsborough County are also within the scope of this project.The first work areas include…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be closing the WeekiWachee Preserve, located in coastal Hernando County, effective Thursday, April 2 for all uses until further notice. The District took steps to remind recreational users to follow the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis and to uphold the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to practice social distancing by avoiding gatherings larger than 10 people and distancing…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be holding a feral hog management hunt on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County Jan. 14-16. The property will be closed to the public from dusk until dawn during the hunts. Normal daytime operations in the park will not be affected. Only permitted hunters will be allowed nighttime access on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be holding a feral hog management hunt on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County Nov. 19-22. The property will be closed to the public from dusk until dawn during the hunts. Normal daytime operations in the park will not be affected. Only permitted hunters will be allowed nighttime access on the property during these dates. All 20 permits for these hunts have been…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be holding a feral hog management hunt on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve in Hillsborough County Nov. 13-15.  The property will be closed to the public from dusk until dawn during the hunts. Normal daytime operations in the park will not be affected. Only permitted hunters will be…

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 year. That’s why the…

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 year. That’s why the…

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 year. That’s why the…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) will hold a Recreation Ad Hoc Committee meeting Wednesday, March 5, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301. The objective of this meeting is to provide the Ad Hoc Committee, made up of four Governing Board members, and stakeholders an overview of the findings and preliminary staff recommendations resulting from the…

Above: Jerry and Pam Rice on vacation with their grandchildren. Right: Rice joined the District’s Governing Board in March 2003. The District’s new Governing Board chair knew early in life that his future lay in the citrus industry. Born in Avon Park and raised in Polk County, Talmadge G. “Jerry” Rice began his career at an early age. “I started working when I was very young. My dad worked in the citrus groves. My mom worked in the packinghouse. I did a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Starkey Wilderness Preserve, which includes J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park and the Serenova Tract, will close early at 4 p.m. Dec. 1-3 for nighttime hog hunts.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the preserve from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park is located at 10500 Wilderness Park Boulevard in New Port Richey. The Serenova Tract is located…