City of Winter Haven - Natural Resources

10/03/2023

Hi everyone! We would like to inform you that we are sunsetting this page for use, and funneling all communication through the main City of Winter Haven, FL Facebook & Instagram accounts. Kayak tours will be managed via our page on Eventbrite: linked below & notified through the main City Facebook. Thank you for following the natural resources division!

04/24/2023

Happy National Arbor Day! 🌳Come out to our educational tree giveaway for residents, where we will give you your choice of a free native 3G tree to plant in your yard! The event will have three educational stations, which will be your 'green ticket' to a tree, where you can learn about how to select your tree, proper planting, and tree maintenance and care for its young life! Thanks to the Arbor Day Foundation for funding this second giveaway in honor of National Arbor Day!

04/22/2023

Happy Earth Day! We celebrated by refreshing our rain gardens, a form of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), which improves water quality and quantity. They work by directing rainfall to a small infiltration area that absorbs the water through several soil layers and, eventually, leads to the Florida Aquifer (where we get most of our drinking water).
How are you celebrating Earth Day?

03/27/2023

2023 Dates are posted for our kayak ecotour series! Join us one weekend for a free tour of one of our lakes, where the Natural Resources Division staff will tell you about the unique history, character, wildlife, and vegetation in and around our beautiful lakes! They are free to sign up at https://whkayaktours.eventbrite.com

03/03/2023

Don't forget! Come out to CommunityFest in Central Park this weekend for fun, food, and entertainment - swing by the City's Arbor Day booth to learn about urban forestry and receive your free tree (first come, first served). Our booth will be in South Central Park opposite Bank of America.

02/24/2023

Come learn about the City's Urban Forest Management Plan and get a free tree - specifically selected to be the right tree for your space - at Community Fest next weekend! Trees are first come, first served, so make sure to get there early! 🌳

02/16/2023

Happening tonight! Tune in at 6 PM to learn about the City's Urban Forest Management Plan, which will suggest changes to city practices and ordinances on tree care & management to improve our canopy's health! We are seeking your input and involvement to help make this plan - Use the link below to find the zoom link & add it to your calendars: http://ow.ly/gxKb50MSqWI
Can't make it? Visit this link after the meeting to view the presentation & email your comments: http://ow.ly/IrUl50MSqWK

Trees, Canopy, and Community

02/09/2023

Interested in hearing about the City's tree planting, maintenance and preservation plan? Have your own thoughts on how we can best manage our urban forest resources for our community's benefit? Join us next week to discuss all things trees in Winter Haven! This will be the first of two public meetings to discuss the upcoming Winter Haven Urban Forest Management Plan, hosted virtually. Visit http://ow.ly/qB4N50MM6Wz for more info and Zoom links!

02/02/2023

February 2nd is World Wetlands Day! DYK that Florida has more wetlands than any other state in the contiguous US - many of them rare habitats for endangered species? Over half of Florida's land used to be wetlands. While much of that original wetland area is now lost, restoring and preserving wetlands protects us from storm flooding, carbon emissions, and water pollution. Visit the City's three nature parks at Lake Howard, Hartridge, and Maude - and you'll see the wetland restoration areas in action!

01/20/2023

Happy Florida Arbor Day! Don't leaf the health of our urban forest to chance - stay tuned to the City's pages for more info in the new future on you can get involved and offer support for the new plan to improve and protect our city's trees!

On January 9th, 2023, the City Commissioners proclaimed January 20th to be recognized as "Florida Arbor Day" in the City of Winter Haven. Did you know trees reduce erosion by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, remove pollutants, and reduce stormwater runoff? This is just one of the reasons why the City team is working on a strategic plan to maintain and grow our urban forest and promote local tree planting.

01/17/2023

These wild things (both staff and animal) had a blast introducing some of our animal ambassadors to Polk County’s second graders at this year’s at Circle B. Our animals help contextualize why conserving different habitats is important for kids. Thanks to for putting on such a great educational event for the future generations!