The following two articles appeared in the Gainesville Sun under the series “Messages from the Springs Heartland” on Dec. 19, 2021. The center article by Doug Stamm was posted here on Dec. 20, 2021.
To read these articles in their entirety, consult the Gainesville Sun for Dec. 19, 2021. The Gainesville Sun provides no link to these articles.
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
Winter the Time to Experience Springs’ Bounty
Eric Flagg
Special to Gainesville Sun USA TODAY NETWORK Dec. 19, 2021
When we think about heading to the springs for a swim, paddle or float here in Florida, we usually think about relief from our brutal summer heat, getting there early to stake out a picnic spot before the throngs of visitors show up with their brightly colored floats, laughter and squeals of swimmers braving the chill and thrill of the cold blue water.
The smell of charcoal fires and sounds of summer music blaring are festive, but not restful. We love our springs so much that we’re willing to share them shoulder-to-shoulder with crowds of people from all walks of life.
But what if I told you there is a time when you might be able to have one of these springs or spring-fed rivers all to yourself? When instead of sharing that water with other humans, you could swim or paddle alongside fish, turtles, otters, birds and even manatees? When in the morning, steam roils from the surface above impossibly clear water and you can watch fish and turtles dart in and out of swaying eelgrass? When you can hear otters and belted kingfishers chittering as they find their first meal of the day?
That time is now — in winter. Although I am an environmental scientist by training — sometimes bound to strict observations about ecological health, water quality and the like — I also reserve the space for myself to let nature’s gifts be a source of spiritual connection and renewal. The springs in winter are the very essence of renewal….
When I think about the gifts our springs have given us, I’m also reminded that the springs need our help. Threats from nitrate pollution, decreased flow and loss of biodiversity abound. Caring about our springs is one thing, but taking action to save them requires a lived connection to these places, a strengthened sense of belonging. There’s no better way to strengthen our connection to the springs than to experience them one-on-one or with a friend or family member.
Winter is truly the showcase season to see our springs for what they are: sacred, life-giving pools and the constantly renewing essence of the Earth.
And we humans are not the only ones who need and love the springs.
If you’d like to see what the Ichetucknee River looks like on a 40-degree morning, check out the video “Following the Ichetucknee” on Vimeo at:https://vimeo.com/92100569 [Ed note: click on the image below.]
Eric Flagg is an environmental scientist and documentary videographer with a multigenerational connection to the Ichetucknee. He coordinates the Digital Media Technology program at Santa Fe College and is a board member of the Ichetucknee Alliance.
The spring-fed Ichetucknee River in February. PHOTO BY ERIC FLAGG
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In This Season of Giving, Give Back to Springs
John Jopling
Special to Gainesville Sun USA TODAY NETWORK Dec. 19l, 20921
’Tis the season for giving and this year, I’m thinking about making gifts to Florida’s freshwater springs. Why give back to these springs, North Florida’s very own natural wonders? Our springs are fed by the same underground supply of freshwater, the Floridan Aquifer, that we drink from. The nutrient poisoning and long-term flow declines in our springs and rivers are early indicators of problems with our drinking water, but if we can be kinder to the springs and restore them to health, we can also save our drinking water supply.
What have the springs meant to you over the years? A refreshing cold swim on a hot day? A picnic with friends and family? A church social? A class field trip? A date with the person who became your life’s partner? A wedding? A baptism? A place to decompress from work? Creative and artistic inspiration? A healing? A spiritual experience?
Giving back to these living aquatic systems is a way to say “thank you” for what the springs have given us. Even if you haven’t made a personal connection to the springs, you can think of gifts to them as “bank deposits” toward cleaner drinking water, healthier people and a better economy.
How can you give back meaningfully to these life-sustaining, life-enhancing wonders? Some of these suggestions don’t even cost money.
We need much broader and louder public support for saving our springs. Add your voice to this effort’s choir….
Our springs need stronger protections at the state and federal levels. Let your elected representatives and state agency officials know that clean water is important to you.
Demand effective actions — not just large amounts of money, but effective actions — to protect our springs and aquifer. Your chosen advocacy group can tell you what qualifies as an “effective action.”
Don’t let state or federal inaction stop you from doing what you can to help.
Quit watering your yard. Lawn irrigation is the biggest use of water for individual households and here in North Florida. Every drop of water we use is one less drop for our springs and rivers.
Don’t pour anything onto the ground that you wouldn’t want in your drinking water. Find out how to safely dispose of hazardous materials such as paint, motor oil and old tires.
Don’t flush unused medications. Contact your closest pharmacy or search for other safe medication disposal sites.
Quit fertilizing your yard and don’t permit pesticides or herbicides to be sprayed on your grass.
Think about removing some or all of your grass and replacing it with springs-friendly plants. Bonus: more birds and butterflies!
Stop using bottled water; it represents a small percentage of overall water use, but the cumulative effects of all water uses are hurting our springs. As long as there is demand for that product, water bottling will continue.
If you’re a business owner or if you work for an educational institution or a local government, find ways to use springs-friendly landscaping practices to demonstrate those practices to your communities.
If you’re an agriculturalist, contact your Extension agent to find out how you could adopt water conservation measures and precision fertilization techniques. Think about creating a conservation easement on your property, because the best way to protect the underground aquifer is to protect the land above it.
For springs lovers on your holiday gift list, or for gift giving on other occasions, choose springs-themed art works or books or memberships in springs advocacy groups. Buy locally if you can.
Make a year-end or lifetime financial donation to your chosen springs or river advocacy group.
Remember that because of the connections we share with the springs and the aquifer, the gifts we give our springs are also gifts we give ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.
John D. Jopling grew up in Columbia County and has a lifelong relationship with the Ichetucknee River. A Gainesville attorney, he is president of the Ichetucknee Alliance and serves on the board of directors of the Florida Springs Council.
