In honor of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the women of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) who help safeguard and restore South Florida's water resources and ecosystems, protect communities from flooding, and meet the region's water needs. Did you know SFWMD’s talented and diverse staff are responsible for some of the largest and most complex environmental restoration and water quality improvement projects in the world?

Did you know the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) works year-round to prevent, control and manage invasive plants and animals on nearly 1.5 million acres of public land? These non-native, invasive species can destroy natural areas, damage critical habitat and out-compete native wildlife for food. 

Currently, the South Florida Water Management District is accelerating the restoration of 7,800 acres of former citrus groves into a productive wetland habitat as part of the Sam Jones/Abiaki Prairie Restoration Project in Hendry County. Located just north of the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, the Sam Jones/Abiaki Prairie Restoration Project complements District efforts to improve water quality across South Florida.

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) held a ribbon cutting ceremony with state and local officials to celebrate the Scott Water Farm, a public-private partnership with Evans Properties, Inc. in Indian River and Okeechobee counties to store water and improve water quality. Did you know that the Scott Water Farm will store more than 9 billion gallons of local storm water runoff and was designed to reduce harmful estuary discharges? 

Did you know that 43 Everglades restoration projects have broken ground, reached a major milestone or completed construction since 2019? One of the latest projects to complete construction is Stormwater Treatment Area 1-East in Palm Beach County.

World Wetlands Day is tomorrow, February 2! 

Did you know the largest wetlands restoration efforts in the world are right here in South Florida? The South Florida Water Management District – working with our local, state and federal partners – restores, revitalizes and protects America's Everglades, the world's most iconic wetland. A number of initiatives and construction projects are underway to benefit the Everglades, and significant progress has been made in many areas.

Did you know the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) is a 60,000-acre watershed in southwest Florida – the largest intact watershed of its kind in the region? CREW lands are located between Lee and Collier counties and provide natural flood protection, water filtration and critical aquifer recharge. With many distinct natural communities, including marsh, cypress and maple swamp, oak hammock and pine flatwoods, CREW also provides crucial habitat for Florida’s native wildlife such as the swallow-tailed kite, black bear, and Florida panther.

The South Florida Water Management District consistently works to "get the water right" by focusing on the movement, distribution and quality of water needed for restoring or enhancing the ecosystem. Our huge, interconnected system includes national parks, which serve a vital role in maintaining ecological biodiversity. National parks offer stunning landscapes and provide a home to extraordinary wildlife and a rich assortment of plant life. Did you know there are four national parks throughout the footprint of the South Florida Water Management District?

As we kick off 2022, it seems fitting that our first “Did You Know” email of the new year should coincide with National Bird Day, observed on January 5, 2022. From snail kites and bald eagles to burrowing owls and scrub-jays, birds play an important role in helping us better understand South Florida’s vast and complex environment, as well as the effects of water management decisions. Did you know the South Florida Water Management District consistently monitors and tracks birds to better understand ecosystems in South Florida?