Winter Haven’s State of the City included a multi‑pronged environmental update in which the city described recent land acquisitions, park projects and stormwater treatment efforts intended to protect the Chain of Lakes.

Land acquisition and preservation: Sabers said the city has acquired more than 500 acres over the past three years for restoration, preservation and long‑term water sustainability, citing the 370‑acre Bridal Farms purchase as an example. He said the city will close on another roughly 154 acres north on US‑17 with Polk County and the state to create a nature preserve and recharge wetlands that keep water within the system rather than allow development to drain the resource.

Park and stormwater projects: Sabers pointed to Lake Comai Nature Park, which treats a watershed of over 400 acres using natural systems, and the expansion of Lake Howard Nature Park — both described as providing recreation while improving stormwater quality. He tied these projects directly to lake health: "All the roads that are around there ... all that water that comes out of a road ... hits the cells within that park, gets treated there through natural systems before it makes its way into the chain."

Urban forestry and stewardship: Sabers described urban forestry initiatives, including species diversification and replacement strategies; he characterized a numerically large planting goal as aspirational and encouraged volunteer participation through new adopt‑a‑road and adopt‑a‑green‑space programs.

What’s next: Staff will finalize acquisitions and partner agreements, plan dedications for completed projects and roll out the adopt‑a‑programs and volunteer opportunities for stewardship.