Lake Panasoffkee Shoreline Stewardship Program - Be a Lake Pan Pal
Project description and objectives:
Lake Panasoffkee is a 920 acre water body in Sumter County that has been designated as an “Outstanding Florida Water” by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Historically Lake Panasoffkee has had a national 
reputation for its redear sunfish fishery making the lake an important contributor to the local and regional economy. Although fishing remains popular at Panasoffkee, the lake’s future as an important recreation resource
has been threatened as a result of the loss of fish spawning areas and open waters. Lake Panasoffkee is currently undergoing a $25 million dredging project to revitalize the lake. While the majority of the efforts and funding has been placed on restoration, education and outreach relative to this project has been non-existent. To address educational needs associated with the restoration of the lake, a Shoreline Stewardship Program was initiated by UF IFAS Extension in Sumter County to address “Florida-friendly” shoreline concerns as well as boating and fishing issues relative to focusing on habitat restoration.
Project activities:
The Shoreline Stewardship Program was made up of three phases. The first phase involved a project kickoff event known as the Lake Panasoffkee Celebration. The Lake Panasoffkee Celebration was a family-oriented one day event designed 
to launch outreach and educational activities associated with Lake Panasoffkee restoration. A goal of the Lake Panasoffkee Celebration was to persuade the community to become a “Lake Pan Pal" with the objective of creating a lake stewardship mind set. More than 500 residents attended the event and 165 residents took the Pledge to Keep Lake Panasoffkee Beautiful (Attachment 1 - 167KB pdf).
The second phase of the program involved the installation of eight launching
ramps informational stations with the launching ramping signage providing educational 
publications. Two trifold informational brochures were developed providing information on nuisance aquatic weeds and on monofilament recycling (Attachment 2 - 89KB pdf and Attachment 3 - 67KB pdf). Additionally, monofilament recycling bins were installed as a component of the launching ramp information station.
A third phase of the program has been to work with local cafes and restaurants to reinforce messaging related to preventing the spread of aquatic weeds and weed removal via the introduction of informational table mats (Attachment 4 - 71KB pdf). Ten-thousand “Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Weeds” table mats were designed and are being disseminated to eight local restaurants in Lake Panasoffkee.
A 2007 calendar was developed highlighting priniciples of Florida-friendly living on the waterfront (Attachment 5 - 81KB pdf). Each month showcased a principle encouraging a personnal commitment to prevent water pollution and help keep Florida waters healthy and pristine.
Project accomplishments:
As a result of the Celebration event and publications disseminated at a number of events, there was a heightened awareness of water quality issues specific to Lake 
Panasoffkee. Attendees of the Celebration who signed pledge cards were mailed a follow up survey and 27% responded to marketing questions, practice changes and suggestions for future programs. 54.5% indicated they used organic or slow release fertilizers; 43.2% indicated that they kept trash on board their boat; 43% indicated that they removed weeds from their boat propeller and gear and 36% indicated they disposed of waste oil in special recycling oil tanks. 90.0% found the Celebration exhibits useful, 84% indicated that the workshops were beneficial and 93.2% would recommend that others attend future Lake Panasoffkee celebrations.
View the Lake Panasoffkee final report (4.7MB pdf)
Project leader:
- Dr. Joan Bradshaw, Specialized Regional Programs for Natural Resources in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter Counties.
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