PALATKA, Fla., Dec. 9, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 786-acre controlled burn Friday at the Bayard Conservation Area in Clay County. The purpose of the burn is to reduce fuels and improve the health of the forest.

PALATKA, Fla., Dec. 13, 2016 -- Data compiled by the St. Johns River Water Management District shows a lack of rainfall during November which left much of Central Florida as one of the driest the areas for that month. A full report outlining rainfall totals for November and the previous 12 months was presented at the district's December Governing Board meeting Tuesday.

PALATKA, Fla., Dec. 13, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board on Tuesday approved the ranking of projects that will share in $5 million in cost-share funds to benefit water resources in Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) communities and for projects that use innovative technology to provide data supporting future permitting and full-scale implementation of alternative water supplies.

PALATKA, Fla., Dec. 13, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved moving forward with proposed rule amendments to adopt minimum flows for DeLeon Springs in Volusia County and amend minimum water levels for Lake Cowpen in Putnam County.

MAITLAND, Fla., Dec. 14, 2016 -- During three days in January, birds will take center stage at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza. Registration is now open for a variety of activities during the festival, including tours of the St. Johns River Water Management District's Lake Apopka North Shore, a popular birding destination.

PALM BAY, Fla., Dec. 14, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection celebrated the rehabilitation of a water control structure at Taylor Creek Reservoir that provides flood protection and water supply benefits to Brevard and Osceola counties.

MAITLAND, Fla., Dec. 15, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is partnering with the National Audubon Society for its 117th Annual Christmas Bird Count. Several district properties will host birdwatchers during the nationwide event.

MAITLAND, Fla., Dec. 16, 2016 -- The North Shore Trailhead, located within the St. Johns River Water Management District's Lake Apopka North Shore, will temporarily close to accommodate bridge repairs within the property.

PALM BAY, Fla., Dec. 19, 2016 — St. Johns River Water Management District regulatory staff have approved a permit application for a stormwater park in Indian River County that will capture nutrients from a 9,780-acre watershed before they can reach the Indian River Lagoon. “Osprey Acres will support a district core mission by improving water quality through nutrient reduction,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “Osprey Acres also supports another core mission – protecting natural systems – by preserving more than 60 acres of uplands and creating roughly 17 acres of aquatic habitat for […]

PALATKA, Fla., Dec. 20, 2016 -- Three St. Johns County schoolteachers are receiving grant funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District's new Blue School Grant Program for projects to enhance student development in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related topics. The program offers financial support for teachers working to promote water resource protection through hands-on learning opportunities.

PALM BAY, Fla., Dec. 29, 2016 -- The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 700-acre prescribed fire today at Kenansvilee Lake in Indian River County. The purpose of the controlled burn is to reduce fuel loads that contribute to wildfires.

MAITLAND, Fla., Jan. 3, 2017 — The St. Johns River Water Management District’s Lake Apopka North Shore has become one of the premier locations to observe birds in the southeastern United States. From Jan. 20-22 it will set the stage for the fifth annual Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza. “Water management districts are charged by the Florida Legislature with managing and restoring lands to their natural state and condition to the extent practical,” said district Land Resources Bureau Chief Steve Miller. “When we do that, those lands become prime habitat for many wildlife species. Birds respond dramatically to available […]

PALM BAY, Fla., Jan. 4, 2017 — St. Johns River Water Management District plans to temporarily lower water levels slightly in two areas of the headwaters of the St. Johns River to facilitate land elevation data collection. These new data will update hydrologic models and ensure environmental goals for both project areas are met. “Ground elevations in both the Blue Cypress Water Management Area and Ft. Drum Marsh Conservation Area are based on only a few old survey transects,” said District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “A temporary drawdown – less than a foot in Blue Cypress – will allow […]