Apply to Adopt a Pond

Our Adopt-A-Pond program can help your community improve water quality, wildlife habitat and the appearance of stormwater retention ponds. We will help you learn how to properly care for your pond, so you can ensure its long-term health.

• The county must own the pond or it must be privately owned with one or more drainage easements dedicated to Hillsborough County
• No wetland or protected conservation areas are allowed in the program
• Your pond group can't use Adopt-A-Pond to satisfy permit conditions for the Southwest Florida Water Management District or any other agency
• The pond group must:
  • Submit an Adopt-A-Pond application
  • Demonstrate a commitment to fully participate in the program
  • Maintain their pond
  • Include at least 50% of the homeowners around a pond or 4 people from 2 households, whichever is greater

There are no fees.

• A more attractive, landscaped pond
• Wildlife habitat
• Expert guidance
• Free native pond plants
• Information and resources to help prevent pollution

1. Identify pond group members
2. Choose a Pond Group Representative to help coordinate pond activities and represent the pond group
3. Choose a pond group name
4. Identify the nearest adjacent address to the pond if it is not the group’s representative’s address
5. Fill out the Adopt-a-Pond application on the Hillsborough County Water Atlas site
6. Complete and submit the Pond Inspection Checklist and a Pollution Prevention Plan at the initial stage of the project
7. Complete all actions proposed in the approved Pollution Prevention Plan
8. Attend the Pond Group Kick-off Meeting

• For more information and to apply to the Adopt-A-Pond Program, visit the Hillsborough County Water Atlas
• Hillsborough County Water Atlas