Education Center
Discovery is a lifelong journey. Whether you are a student, teacher or simply want to know more about the environment, the South Florida Water Management District has materials and programs to help you learn about Florida's shared water resources.
SFWMD Educational Programs and Materials
The fun and informative materials listed below are useful for teachers to complement environmental education lesson plans as well as students of all ages.
LILA: An Everglades Living Laboratory
The science behind Everglades restoration finds researchers busy at a unique outdoor laboratory: the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) in Boynton Beach.
LILA is a working, 80-acre model of the Everglades ecosystem within the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. This "living laboratory" gives scientists opportunities to apply restoration techniques on a small, controlled scale before implementation in the 1.7 million-acre Everglades ecosystem.
LILA is located on the birding trail where visitors can watch a wide variety of native wading birds and other wildlife at the same time scientists are collecting and analyzing data that will ultimately be used to restore Florida's precious Everglades.
Everglades: An American Treasure [PDF] – Available as a printable PDF document, Everglades: An American Treasure was developed to help students explore the biotic and abiotic systems that weave together to form our American treasure, the Everglades.
Water Cycle Poster [PDF] – Water makes many stops as it travels in a great circle called The Water Cycle. Students learn how this precious resource travels and transforms within our atmosphere.
Infographic Rain Drain [PDF] – What happens when it rains? This informative graphic shows how neighborhood drainage systems connect to regional systems that flow into the primary South Florida canal system operated by the South Florida Water Management District.
English and Spanish Poster Focusing on How Water is Managed
Managing Every Drop [PDF]
Estación Húmeda, Estación Seca – Administrando Cada Gota [PDF]
This poster illustrates how water is managed throughout the year, to minimize flooding and maximize storage while preserving water quality and natural environments.
Indepth Look at South Florida's Water
Florida Waters Resource Manual [PDF]
SFWMD Education on Public Lands
Our field study programs connect water resource and environmental education with land management activities. The programs partner public lands we manage with local schools to provide outdoor learning activities for students.
Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) – Lee and Collier County
The 7,000-acre Corkscrew Marsh is the headwaters for the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW). The District partners with the CREW Land and Water Trust to offer educational programs and recreational opportunities.
DuPuis Management Area – Martin County
The DuPuis Management Area is a 21,875-acre multi-use natural area. The District partners with the Center for Environmental Studies at Florida Atlantic University to conduct events, lecture series and other educational opportunities at the onsite environmental education facility.
Reedy Creek, Osceola Environmental Studies Center – Osceola County
Reedy Creek connects Lake Russell to Cypress Lake and Lake Hatchineha. A riverine cypress swamp provides hands-on environmental education and an interpretive center.
Indian River Lagoon Coloring Book [PDF] – Learn about and bring life to the birds, fish, reptiles and other creatures depicted in their natural habitats in one of the richest and most productive aquatic ecosystems in the world!
Learning About the Everglades [PDF] – Resources include a virtual tour of the Everglades, interactive view of the plants and animals that live there and the adventures of Wayne Drop (not Rain Drop) as he explores the Everglades.
Teaching/Learning About the Everglades [PDF] – A special educational section on the website with focus on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
U.S. Geological Services (USGS) Kid's Corner – Resources include a virtual tour of south Florida ecosystems, views of the area's plants and animals, coloring pages and more.
Florida International University – The Everglades Digital Library offers Everglades Educational materials for older students, from Teacher's Guides to detailed brochures about the animals and plants of the Everglades.
Other Educational Resources: Posters, Publications & Websites from Other Agencies
- Florida Earth Foundation – A public-private partnership for education, outreach and research programs in South Florida ecosystem restoration initiatives.
- Exploring Florida – Social studies resources for students and teachers.
- Environmental Literacy Council – Everglades article and links by a national organization.
- Florida Electronic Library
- Southwest Florida Water Management District Student/Teacher materials
- St. Johns River Water Management District Student/Teacher materials