Thanks to Heather Obara of the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) for sharing this press release. We appreciate the important work that the ACT does to help the Santa Fe River.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2020
Alachua Conservation Trust
Heather Obara, Community Outreach Coordinator
352-373-1078
act.heather@gmail.com
Alachua Conservation Trust Partners With Suwannee River Partnership to Host Cleanups at Santa Fe
Springs
Gainesville, Florida – On November 21st, the local non-profit Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) along with
the Suwannee River Partnership hosted the first of several public cleanup events at Santa Fe Springs Preserve.
Members of the Suwannee River Partnership and local geocaching groups spent several hours removing debris
associated with former structures on the property near the second-magnitude Santa Fe Spring.
“Our members were excited to be able to serve our community by getting our hands dirty to help clean up a
property that will be preserved for future generations,” said Suwannee River Partnership Outreach Coordinator,
Kelly Aue. “The Santa Fe Springs Preserve contributes to the Suwannee River Partnership’s mission to protect
and conserve our water. We are so grateful for our steering committee members, like Alachua Conservation
Trust, that invite us to be part of these important projects.”
Santa Fe Spring was purchased by Alachua Conservation Trust in May of this year as part of a 254-acre
conservation purchase that included two springs and 1.3 miles along the upper Santa Fe River. The purchase of
the property as conservation land will provide protection for water quality and wildlife habitat, as well as create
additional opportunities for public recreation in the area. The property will open to the public for passive
recreation in 2022 and will feature hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.
“We are excited to be able to partner with members of the Suwannee River Partnership as well as the local
geocaching community to begin our restoration of Santa Fe Springs Preserve, said ACT Community Outreach
Coordinator, Heather Obara. “Volunteers make a big impact in our community by committing countless hours
towards helping prepare ACT’s preserves for public use and enjoyment.”
Additional cleanups at Santa Fe Springs Preserve will take place in February and March of next year.
Volunteers are welcome.
For more information about the Santa Fe Springs Project, contact ACT at (352) 373-1078 or
info@alachuaconservationtrust.org.
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Alachua Conservation Trust
7204 SE County Road 234, Gainesville, FL 32641
www.AlachuaConservationTrust.org
Since 1988, The mission of Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and
recreational resources in north central Florida. ACT protects land through purchase, donation, and
conservation easements.
