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The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Alston Tract, which is part of the Upper Hillsborough property, will be the site of hog hunts Feb. 6-8 and Feb. 20-22. 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 Alston Tract is located southeast of Zephyrhills in Pasco and Polk counties. The entrance is off of Deems Road.The…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will reopen the Weekiwachee Preserve to the public effective Friday, May 8, 2020 for all uses. Weekiwachee Preserve is located in coastal Hernando County and has no affiliation with Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. In keeping with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ "Safe. Smart. Step-By-Step. Plan" to reopen Florida, visitors to the Weekiwachee Preserve should maximize physical distance from others and avoid socializing in…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with the group “Outdoors Without Limits,” to provide disabled outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to go hunting on District lands.“Outdoors Without Limits” is an organization built around communities creating opportunities for disabled individuals to enjoy outdoor activities. The group organizes hunting and fishing events, as well as recreational shooting and other outdoor activities.Here…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Sarasota County continue to work diligently to gather input needed to update the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The county is also working with staff from the cities of North Port, Venice, Sarasota and the Town of Longboat KeyMost of the current FIRMs are 10 to 30 years old and are outdated because of natural and physical changes caused by land use, development and erosion.…

Clark Hull, the District’s environmental resource permitting program director, was asked to join the Stormwater Management Academy’s board of directors. Clark Hull, the District’s environmental resource permitting program director, accepted an invitation to join the prestigious Stormwater Management Academy’s board of directors. The Academy is supported by the University of Central Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of…

Two District education projects were honored during the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s 16th Annual Future of the Region Awards program. The awards recognize notable achievements in resource planning and management in the region.“Bring Back the Bayou”The “Bring Back the Bayou” project received second place in the community service category. Funding from the District ’s Community Education Grant Program helped Kurt Zuelsdorf, owner of…

Governor Charlie Crist recently reappointed several members to five of the eight Basin Boards of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The governor also appointed a new Basin Board member to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board.Manasota Basin Board:Betsy Benac of Sarasota has been reappointed to the Manasota Basin Board. She is a land planner with Wilson Miller, Inc. Her term ends March 1, 2010.Jack Bispham of Sarasota has been reappointed to…

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 June through August at Annuteliga Hammock and Weekiwachee Preserve in Hernando County. Annuteliga Hammock is located east of U.S. Highway 19, north of Centralia Road and south of the county…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 22-24. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold. Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve is located at 15430 SW CR 484 in Dunnellon. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Chito Branch Reserve in Hillsborough County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 8-10. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All permits for these hunts have been sold. Chito Branch Reserve is located at 11254 Browning Road in Lithia. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County, will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 27-29. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. Permit sales are closed. Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve is located at 15430 SW CR 484 in Dunnellon. This…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Flying Eagle Nature Center in Citrus County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 13-15. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 20 permits for these hunts have been sold. Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road in Inverness. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Chito Branch Reserve in Hillsborough County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Nov. 6-8. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 10 permits for these hunts have been sold. Chito Branch Reserve is located at 11254 Browning Road in Lithia…

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 (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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 24-26. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 25 permits for these hunts have been sold. Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve is located at 15430 SW Highway 484 in Dunnellon. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control…

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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Flying Eagle Nature Center in Citrus County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 10-12. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 20 permits for these hunts have been sold. Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road in Inverness. This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Gilley Creek Tract in Manatee County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 9–11.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 12 permits for these hunts have been sold.The Edward W. Chance Reserve - Gilley Creek Tract is located at 22310 CR 675 in Parrish.This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Flying Eagle Nature Center in Citrus County will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Jan. 9-11.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 20 permits for these hunts have been sold.Flying Eagle Nature Center is located at 12650 East Boy Scout Road in Inverness.This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the…