Newsroom

Rainfall across the District in May marked a notable shift, with precipitation levels rising above average for the first time since January. Most rain occurred at the beginning and end of the month, with drier conditions in between.

The District on Tuesday recognized the recent approval and purchase of more than 78,000 acres of conservation lands throughout Florida, including significant properties within the District. The acquisitions, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, represent a major step in connecting the Ocala and Osceola national forests and protecting landscapes that define the region.

April marked the third consecutive month of below-average rainfall across the District, with all 18 counties in the District receiving less than their monthly averages. Rainfall totals were minimal, with much of the District seeing less than half an inch for the month. With the rainy season still a few weeks away, the District is encouraging residents to use water efficiently, such as following water restrictions and using smart irrigation practices.

The District is conducting a 128-acre prescribed burn today at Newnans Lake Conservation Area in Alachua County, within the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin. The burn is taking place on the Hatchet Creek Tract and is part of ongoing efforts to reduce hazardous fuel loads and support the health of fire-dependent natural communities.

Ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season, key partners in hurricane preparedness and flood management gathered at the Central Florida Coordination meeting hosted by the District.

Ten years after the St. Johns River Water Management District opened the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, more than 150,000 visitors each year now experience the one-way, 11-mile drive that traverses a network of wetlands, levees and canals, providing a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities.