It’s Bat Week, and we are sharing some bat-tastic facts about these winged wonders!

DID YOU KNOW: Bats play an important role in our environment and help maintain the balance of South Florida’s ecosystems?

A MISUNDERSTOOD MAMMAL: Though often feared, the spooky truth is that bats are vital to the health of our environment. Florida has 13 resident species of bats. Eight of these 13 species call South Florida home. Bats provide many ecological benefits.

A unique, outdoor living laboratory is giving experts an opportunity to experimentally test restoration techniques on a large, ecologically realistic scale before taking them into the 1.7-million-acre Everglades ecosystem.

DID YOU KNOW: The Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) is an 80-acre working model of the Everglades ecosystem on the grounds of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach, Florida?

As the region continues to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Milton, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is actively monitoring, managing and adjusting the primary water management system to move water away from local communities and balance water flow in Central Florida.

DID YOU KNOW: The SFWMD continues to operate the regional flood control system to move large amounts of water quickly and efficiently?

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) maintains an extensive online library of mapping and spatial data, including the most up-to-date restoration projects map, historic maps and water quality monitoring maps.

DID YOU KNOW: The SFWMD makes it easy for the public to access and explore these resources, develop custom maps, conduct analysis, and download spatial data?

ONE-STOP ACCESS: The SFWMD's database of advanced GIS tools and information is available online. Free resources include:

More than 850 participants joined the effort to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem during the 2024 Florida Python Challenge, eliminating nearly 200 destructive pythons from public lands in South Florida.

DID YOU KNOW: Invasive pythons threaten our precious native ecosystem by preying upon the wildlife that lives there, including wading birds, mammals, and other reptiles?

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is committed to cultivating opportunities for businesses and the entrepreneurial community that help us carry out our public service mission to safeguard and restore South Florida’s water resources and ecosystems, protect communities from flooding, and meet the region’s water needs.

DID YOU KNOW: The SFWMD purchases a variety of products and services to support our programs, projects and operations?

The effective control of invasive plants is an important part of the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) mission and our continued ability to protect the region’s natural resources.

DID YOU KNOW: The SFWMD has one of the nation’s largest invasive plant management programs and has become a national model for successfully dealing with non-native Melaleuca trees?

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is strongly committed to ensuring the resiliency of our region’s water resources and ecosystems now and for future generations.

DID YOU KNOW: The SFWMD is continuously assessing the status of its flood control infrastructure and advancing adaptation strategies necessary to providing primary flood protection throughout the region?

Have you ever wondered how much rain recently fell in your community? Or if the gates on a nearby canal are open?

DID YOU KNOW: The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) makes it easy for you to access this information and other real-time data collected across its 16-county region?

The 2024 King Tide season is here, and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is making it easy for the public to find information about forecasted tidal conditions.

DID YOU KNOW: The 2024 King Tide season runs from August 19-November 30, 2024?