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Springs Vent

December 2016

Significant Harm at Crystal River

by Dr. Robert Knight

North Florida’s nature photographer laureate, John Moran, said it best when he paraphrased author Mark Twain: “The mightiest river in Florida is the River of Denial that flows through Tallahassee.” Under tight control from the State’s capital, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is telling us that the springs that feed Kings Bay and Crystal River on Florida’s Nature Coast in Citrus County have more flow than they need to be healthy. But I ask you: “When was the last time those springs looked healthy to you?”

When I first boated and swam at Tarpon Hole in 1977, the water was crystal clear. The bottom of the spring was visible in 65 feet of water. When the Florida Springs Institute completed the Kings Bay Phytoremediation Demonstration Project last year, we were lucky to see the bottom in areas with only six feet of water.

Not only is water clarity in Kings Bay almost entirely gone, so are the eelgrass and other native plants that historically covered the bottom of the bay. Those plants were the natural salad bar that supported large populations of game fish and manatees which are foundational for the region’s tourism economy. [Read more...]

Tis the Season to be Tacky?

Florida Springs Institute will be hosting our first Tacky Sweater Fundraiser December 13th from 6-8 pm at Fluid Lounge in Town of Tioga (Gainesville/ Newberry, Florida). Much like our successful summer fundraiser at Fluid, a $10 admission provides you one specialty cocktail (Moscow Mule, Bramble,or an Old Fashioned), and 100% of the $10 admission goes to FSI! We hope to see you there, but either way please help us spread the word by sharing our event on Facebook.
(Tacky sweaters optional but encouraged.)

Did you know you can help save our springs
while doing your holiday shopping?

If you haven't already, please consider making your purchases through Amazon Smile. This free service is both fast and easy to set up, and gives 0.5% of your total purchase to FSI. You can find us on Amazon Smile as the Howard T Odum Florida Springs Institute. Thank you for your support!

Join us next week for
Springs Academy

Join us at the North Florida Springs Environmental Center (99 NW 1st Avenue, High Springs, FL) Tuesday, December 6th at 12 p.m. for our Springs Academy session with Dr. Robert Knight. This month's session is on Springs Chemistry.

Thanks to Richie Denmark of Project Baseline, you can now view the first Springs Academy session, a springs overview, on YouTube.

Florida Springs Interactive Map available online

Over the past year, Florida Springs Institute staff and volunteers have worked to compile a comprehensive Google Earth map of Florida springs with photos, descriptions, and available water quality data. The Florida Springs Interactive Map will continue to undergo regular updates/revisions and be made available to the public. It is available for viewing on our website under "Current Projects."

The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute is a 501c3 non-profit funded entirely by grants and private donations.

Year End Donations

Please consider making a year end donation to support our efforts to protect and restore our majestic springs for current and future generations.

Give the Gift of FSI

A membership or donation in a loved ones name makes the perfect holiday gift for the springs enthusiasts/environmentalists in your life!

>> Click Here to Donate <<

New SpringsWatch
to launch in 2017

FSI will launch a Rainbow Springs SpringsWatch group in 2017. More information will be available early next year. To learn more about FSI's SpringsWatch Program and how you can volunteer, click here.

Fundraiser Recap

Thanks to everyone who helped make our 2016 fundraiser a success! Our annual fundraiser is our largest fundraiser of the year and in 2016, we beat our previous totals by raising $5,500 after expenses.

Many members of the springs community attended the event along with several new springs supporters! Attendees were treated to a delicious catered meal by Celebrations Catering and a wonderful music performance by Whitey Markle and the Swamprooters, all while surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.

FSI staff at our fundraiser

Panel Discussion at the Alachua County Library

On November 5th, Dr. Knight and Jenny Adler participated in a panel discussion on "The Art and Science of Springs Conservation". During the event Dr. Knight discussed his book, Silenced Springs: Moving from Tragedy to Hope. Over thirty people attended the discussion.

Looking for a good read this holiday season? Pick up a signed copy on Silenced Springs and meet Dr. Knight on December 8th at the Holiday Open House & Local Author Book Signing hosted by the Matheson History Museum. The event begins at 6 p.m.

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The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute is a 501c3 non-profit.
EIN 46-1663401

Mailing Address: 23695 W US HWY 27
High Springs, FL 32643
Main Tel: (386) 454-2427
Main Fax: (386) 454-9369

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Contact Us:

Heather Obara, Associate Director
HObara@FloridaSpringsInstitute.org

Melissa Redon, Outreach Director
MRedon@FloridaSpringsInstitute.org

Copyright © 2016 Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, All rights reserved

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Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, Inc. · 23695 W US HWY 27 · High Springs, FL 32643 · USA