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Florida Springs Council
The Florida Springs Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on advocacy for Florida's springs and spring-fed waterways.
Their mission is to build the power, influence, and resources of springs advocates across the state.
In their words:
"We focus on the culture and policy changes that will lead to the protection and restoration of
Florida's springs and waterways."
"We are putting those who pollute and abuse our springs on notice. We do whatever is necessary – through Science, Local Governments, the Legislature, and the Courts - to reverse the destruction of North Florida’s springs and waters. We don't focus so much on member groups anymore. We work with our partners, but groups come and go, some disband, and who we work with changes depending on the issue."
The origin:
"The Florida Springs Council began as a coalition of
conservation organizations. In 2014 local springs groups like Ichetucknee Alliance, Friends of Wekiva, and Rainbow River Conservation joined larger conservation groups like Sierra Club and Save the Manatee Club to combine their efforts, skills, and expertise to protect Florida's Springs."
"The result was the Florida Springs Council, a 501(c)3 non-profit coalition designed for collective advocacy focused solely on the protection and restoration of Florida's springs. Representatives of those groups were the first members of FSC. Since then we've evolved into a much larger organization with thousands of individual members, while maintaining a model of cooperation with our partner organizations. Each member on our board of directors represents a springs or environmental organization. Each organization brings specific expertise and local knowledge to the Council, and we have greater strength when we work as one on local or statewide springs threats. We lobby in Tallahassee for better laws, coordinate legal challenges, and take other action as needed to protect Florida's springs."
Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Springs Council
What is the Florida Springs Council?
The Florida Springs Council (FSC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit coalition founded in 2016, dedicated entirely to the protection and restoration of Florida's freshwater springs through legal challenges, legislative lobbying, and grassroots activism. It is the only statewide advocacy organization in Florida focused solely on springs.
What does the Florida Springs Council do to protect springs?
The Florida Springs Council works on springs protection through legal challenges, legislative advocacy, and grassroots organizing. Recent efforts include a successful appeal forcing DEP to fix flawed springs cleanup plans (BMAPs), ongoing campaigns around consumptive water use permits such as bottled water operations, and long-running advocacy to remove the Rodman (Kirkpatrick) Dam and reconnect the Ocklawaha River and its submerged springs.
How is the Florida Springs Council funded?
The Florida Springs Council relies heavily on individual donors, especially recurring ?sustaining? members, along with one-time gifts, grants, events, and merchandise campaigns. These funds underwrite legal cases, policy work in Tallahassee, and on-the-ground advocacy.
How can I support or join the Florida Springs Council?
Join free as an Informed Member at floridaspringscouncil.org to receive news on spring threats and legislation. Become a Sustaining Member to fund legal battles. Follow their social channels, attend events like Florida Springsfest at Silver Springs State Park, and purchase their merchandise ? all proceeds support conservation directly.
What spring restoration projects has the Council led?
The Florida Springs Council has led or co-led several significant restoration and protection efforts. Highlights include winning a 2023 appeals court ruling that forces DEP to fix inadequate springs cleanup plans (BMAPs), sustained advocacy to remove the Rodman (Kirkpatrick) Dam and restore the Ocklawaha and its springs, and technical and policy work to improve cleanup strategies on rivers like the Santa Fe.
Does the Florida Springs Council work with state government?
Yes. The FSC lobbies each year during Florida's 60-day legislative session on bills affecting springs, including the Clean Waterways Act, Florida Forever funding, water use fees for commercial bottlers, and opposition to toll road projects through sensitive spring corridors. They also engage water management districts on BMAP development and enforcement.
How can I contact the Florida Springs Council?
You can contact the Florida Springs Council through their website at floridaspringscouncil.org, where you can sign up for updates and reach staff. The organization is led by Executive Director Ryan Smart, whose work is focused on protecting Florida?s springs and spring-fed waters.
What is the Florida Springs Council's position on nitrate pollution?
The FSC considers nitrate pollution the greatest chemical threat to Florida's springs. Agriculture contributes over 52% of statewide nitrate, with septic systems responsible for much of the rest. The Council litigated successfully against inadequate DEP cleanup plans and continues pushing for enforceable BMAP targets, restrictions on new agricultural water use permits, and tighter limits on nitrogen fertilizer in spring recharge areas.
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