Mote’s 39th Annual Run for the Turtles draws over a thousand runners to support sea turtles

Today, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s 39th Annual Run for the Turtles welcomed nearly 1,100 runners to Siesta Key Beach and virtual tracks around the globe. Participants took part in the 1-mile fun run and the Manasota Track Club-sanctioned 5k, showing up in support of Mote’s longstanding sea turtle conservation efforts. This year’s Run was another major success.

While the final fundraising total is still being calculated, the event is expected to bring in approximately $45,000 to support Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program (STCRP), which monitors 35 miles of nesting beaches daily during sea turtle nesting season and studies sea turtles through tagging and satellite tracking.For nearly four decades, this event has helped fuel our mission to protect sea turtles in the wild,” said Melissa Macksey, Senior Biologist and Conservation Manager of Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. “It’s inspiring to see our community show up year after year to support these incredible animals and the science that safeguards their future.”

District Temporarily Closes Airboat Slide in Citrus County

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will temporarily close the Flying Eagle Dead River Flats airboat slide due to required maintenance. The airboat slide is located on the Flying Eagle berm between the Withlacoochee River and Flying Eagle Marsh in eastern Citrus County. Maintenance activities will start April 14 and are scheduled to be completed by April 25. Attempts to use the slide in its current condition could damage airboats.

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/newsroom/news/10-tips-save-water-water-conservation-month-8

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board declared April Water Conservation Month at its March 25 meeting. April is historically one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. With these 10 simple tips, you can lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water: INDOOR Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full. Use the shortest clothes washing cycle for lightly soiled loads; normal and permanent-press wash cycles use more water. Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, not under running water. Scrape, don’t rinse your dishes before loading in the dishwasher. Install high-efficiency showerheads, faucets and toilets.

District’s Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract Closed for Hog Hunts March 18-20

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Hampton Tract, including closed area tracts at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Po

Several Lake Okeechobee Boat Locks Are Temporarily Closing Beginning Tonight

Map Showing Lock Locations on Lake Okeechobee Boaters navigating to and from Lake Okeechobee should be advised that the South Florida Water Management District (District) will close certain boat locks at the end of their normal operating hours tonight, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Water levels in Lake Okeechobee are expected to fall below 12 feet NGVD or 10.70 feet NAVD. The following boat locks will temporarily cease operations and they will be closed to navigation until specific water levels are met. The S-135 Boat Lock at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County. The G-36 Boat Lock on Henry Creek in Okeechobee County. The S-127 Boat Lock at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County. The S-131 Boat Lock at Lakeport in Glades County.

DYK: Navigating Central & Southern Florida Waterways

Boat on Kissimmee River The South Florida Water Management District (District) operates and maintains 11 navigational locks throughout Central and Southern Florida. DID YOU KNOW: These navigational locks provide access to an interconnected system of waterways, including the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee. MANAGING WATER LEVELS: Navigational locks are used to manage water levels and provide boating access for recreational and commercial boat traffic. Much like an elevator, locks help lift and lower boats from one water level to another. They do this by controlling water levels to allow vessels to safely navigate through interconnected waterways. It takes about 15 minutes to lock through most structures, and the service is free to boaters during normal operating hours. LOCK LOCATIONS: The District operates five locks on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee and one (S-310) on the south shore near Clewiston. S-135 at the J&S Fish Camp in Martin County G-36 at Henry Creek in Okeechobee County S-193 at Taylor Creek in Okeechobee County S-127 at Buckhead Ridge in Glades County S-131 at Lakeport in Glades County S-310 at Clewiston in Hendry County

Record Low Water Levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer in Northeastern Cape Coral

Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer Water Shortage Area CAPE CORAL, Fla. - In order to continue to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, the South Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board authorized the District's Executive Director to issue a Water Shortage Order imposing Modified Phase IV Water Shortage restrictions if/when the water levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer decline below the "future action level" of -93.01 feet for two consecutive weeks. As of April 9, 2025, the water level at the USGS Monitoring Well L-4820 in the water shortage area is at -91.68 feet. Phase IV water restrictions would mean that residents in the designated area will no longer be able to use their lawn irrigation systems. Currently, landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week in the designated area for irrigation water supplied by private wells. The restrictions are put into place to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply. The District's Governing Board declared a water shortage and issued mandatory irrigation restrictions in November of 2023 for a portion of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County to protect the aquifer.

DYK: Explore the 2025 South Florida Environmental Report

Green PLACE Program Adds Greeneyes Wildlife Preserve to List of Conserved Lands

As the population in the region continues to grow, Orange County is committed to providing a balance between the built environment and the natural environment through conservation efforts. The County’s goal is to conserve ecosystems that strengthen climate and biodiversity resilience, as well as safeguard habitats for wildlife. In that vein, local nature lovers now have a new place to explore. Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore recently hosted a grand opening ceremony for Apopka’s Greeneyes Wildlife Preserve, one of a series of land acquisitions made by the County’s Green PLACE Program. “It’s critically important we use our resources to preserve natural spaces for future generations,” said Commissioner Moore. “These land acquisitions will continue as we keep the momentum going.” An award-winning initiative that preserves, enhances and restores environmentally sensitive lands, the Green PLACE program, which started three decades ago, has bought 25,758 acres of property, many of which are now open to the public for activities such as hiking, fishing and birdwatching. “Orange County is leading sustainability efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the region, and we want to double our protected acreage in the next 10 years,” asserted Mayor Demings. “Last year alone, we purchased over 1,300 acres of environmentally sensitive lands.”

Historic Pine Hills Community on the Move: Pedestrian Safety Improvements, Beautification Efforts, a

Tamara Johnson never misses an opportunity to talk about the exciting things happening in Pine Hills. She’s so eager to spread the news that she often goes door-to-door in the community, encouraging residents and business owners to attend monthly meetings to engage, ask questions and learn. Johnson is passionate about this area of West Orange County for many reasons. With family residing in Pine Hills, she’s been a frequent visitor since childhood. Today, she’s the executive director of Orange County’s Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District, a position she’s held since 2023. “I do have a fondness for Pine Hills,” she said. “And now, I’m in a unique opportunity where I can make an impact. We want people to know that [Orange County] is here and we are committed to this community.” Over the past several years, Orange County has invested more than $67 million in Pine Hills, one of Orange County’s oldest and largest neighborhoods. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening in Pine Hills: –Bicycle and pedestrian safety efforts – Four new sidewalks will be added in the next five years while 35 additional sidewalk projects are in the pipeline. Meanwhile, pedestrians and cyclists will see other changes in the community, including the addition of a 7-foot-wide dedicated bike lane from Colonial Drive to Silver Star Road. Pine Hills Road, located between Colonial Drive and Bonnie Brae Circle, will be reconstructed with a raised median. –Economic Development – The County is undertaking a major project to convert up to 93 parcels from septic tank to county sewer along Pine Hills Road from W. Colonial Drive to Golf Club Parkway. This project includes 70 percent commercial and 30 percent residential parcels within the project space. The utility improvements began in September 2024 and the project is scheduled for completion January 2026. This will create redevelopment opportunities along Pine Hills Road.

Affected by Hurricane Ian? There’s a Homeowner Program for Those who Qualify

Orange County Recovers is aimed at Property Owners Although Hurricane Ian steamrolled through Central Florida more than two years ago, many residents are still recovering from the damage the storm dealt. To help these families, Orange County is administering the Orange County Recovers Program (OCRP), which assists property owners by providing funding to repair, reconstruct or replace single-family homes that suffered storm damage. The program, federally funded by the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR), is designed to ensure that the unmet housing repair needs of the low- to moderate income homeowners and vulnerable populations are addressed to the greatest extent possible. Its primary objective is to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing to eligible applicants. “We’re very proud to launch this program,” said Mitchell Glasser, manager, Orange County Housing & Community Development. “We know the road to recovery from that particular storm has been difficult for many residents, and we want to make the recovery process extremely accessible and get the work completed as quickly as possible.” In order to qualify for the program, the following must apply: Owned the damaged property at the time Hurricane Ian made landfall Currently own the damaged property Property was your primary residence at the time of Hurricane Ian The damaged property is in Orange County and its municipalities The damaged property must not be subject to active bankruptcy proceedings or in foreclosure Additionally, applicants need to have the following documents: