Flint Pen Strand of Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed to Re-Open

map of flint pen strand

Public access to the Flint Pen Strand Unit of the Corkscrew Regional Watershed Ecosystem (CREW) in Lee and Collier Counties will re-open today, Friday, April 8, at 5 p.m. Public access was temporarily closed due to wildfires.

A temporary burn ban remains in place on SFWMD lands in Lee, Collier and Hendry Counties due to dry conditions.

For more information on recreation closures and to find SFWMD-managed public lands near you, visit SFWMD.gov/Recreation.

SFWMD Issues Temporary Burn Ban on District Lands in Lee, Collier and Hendry Counties

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The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) issued a temporary burn ban on SFWMD lands in Lee, Collier and Hendry Counties due to dry conditions and the imminent danger of wildfires in the region.

The temporary burn ban includes the building and maintaining of fires for recreational purposes in fireplaces and fire rings on SFWMD lands.

Public Access to Certain Areas of the Arthur R. Marshal Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is Restricted While Renovations Take Place

map of recreation area

Public access to the Arthur R. Marshal Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge from Lee Road in Boynton Beach is temporarily restricted in certain areas.

  • The Lee Road boat ramps and canoe trail is closed through June 24 and June 28-June 30. 
  • The fishing pier and levee road will be closed from June 28-30. 

The parking lot will remain open and surrounding features such as the kayak rental facility are not be affected.

Pedestrian Bridge over S-191 Structure at Nubbin Slough in Okeechobee County Periodically Closed to Public Access Due to Construction Work

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OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - The pedestrian bridge over the S-191 water control structure at Nubbin Slough on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee will be periodically closed to public access over the next few months to ensure public safety during ongoing construction work.

Local Volunteers Work with SFWMD to Enhance Public Lands

shelter in the woods

Completed shelter at Lake Hatchineha in Polk County. 

If you find yourself at Lake Hatchineha in Polk County, make sure you check out the brand-new shelter on the southwest side of the lake! The shelter provides the public with a place to gather, relax, picnic, and enjoy their surroundings. Construction of the project was completed by volunteers from the Kissimmee River Valley Sportsmen’s Association (KRVSA) who spent over 300 hours cleaning the area, trimming vegetation, and transporting equipment and building materials to the project site.