Hikers, campers and horseback riders can now apply online for recreational use for activities on more than a dozen sites managed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).

The online application allows easy and convenient access for reserving space for activities in areas including Hickory Hammock in Highlands County, Micco Landing in Okeechobee County andDuPuis Management Area in
Martin County.

The District is committed to increasing recreational access to District lands, while continuing to manage them effectively to meet environmental restoration, water supply, water quality and flood control missions. More than 271,000 acres of District lands from Orange to Miami-Dade counties are open for recreation.

Limited numbers of special use licenses are available for specific activities at each site. Licenses are limited when necessary to coordinate with District land management activities. For example, access to particular sites may not be granted if prescribed burns are planned for reducing underbrush or if exotic invasive plants are being removed.

The online application is at www.sfwmd.gov/sul. The easy-to-use form allows visitors to choose the site, planned activity and date for their reservation, and to print the reservation when it is complete. A calendar shows how many licenses are available for each day.

More details about recreational opportunities on District lands are available online and in our Recreational Guide. Go to www.sfwmd.gov, and click on "Recreation" to view the guide.

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The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state - 16 counties from Orlando to the Keys. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. The agency mission is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply. A key initiative is cleanup and restoration of the Everglades.