Florida Springs Institute

08/25/2026

Springs Academy: Springs Biology with Dr. Jason Evans is Tuesday, September 8th!

Jason will talk about an in-depth study of water lettuce genetics, plans for better understanding the ecological role of native water lettuce in Florida springs, and management strategies that take into account this knowledge.

Jason serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience at Stetson University. Jason Evans is an interdisciplinary systems and landscape ecologist who works in the fields of climate adaptation, land cover change, and water quality improvement within the built environment. Jason has a PhD in interdisciplinary ecology, with a concentration in environmental engineering sciences from University of Florida.

Springs Academy is a free lecture series on Florida’s freshwater resources and springs. Each class is tailored to make learning quick and easy so you’re ready to hit the ground running as a springs expert. The classes are held on the second Tuesday of every month, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Participants who attend all 6 classes will receive a certificate of completion upon request. Discussion will go as deep as our time and audience allows.

Date: Tuesday, September 8th, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: Florida Springs Welcome Center: 18645 High Springs Main Street, High Springs, Fl 32643

Jason's Biography:
Jason Evans is an interdisciplinary systems and landscape ecologist who works in the interfaces between human and natural systems. Most of his current research projects involve collaborations with local governments along the southeastern U.S. coast to develop vulnerability assessments and policy recommendations for floodplain management and sea-level rise adaptation. Another body of Evans's research has focused on land cover change, wildlife habitat and life cycle assessments for bioenergy systems (including ethanol, biogas, and wood pellets) across the U.S.

Evans also has extensive experience and interest in the ecology, management and restoration of Florida springs ecosystems. In addition to his teaching and research appointment at Stetson, Evans serves as the Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Environmental Management, one of the world's most highly ranked publications within the fields of environmental engineering, planning, and assessment.

You can find out more about Jason's research through the link in the comments.

SEE YOU IN HIGH SPRINGS!

08/21/2026

“According to Clay Coarsey, director of water supply planning and assessment for the St. Johns River Water Management District, groundwater levels in Marion County have plunged into the bottom 10th percentile. This means that over a 30-year period of record dating back to the 1990s, the aquifer has had higher water levels than it does right now more than 90% of the time.”

“Prior environmental assessments led by senior scientist Bill Hawthorne reveal that Silver Springs’ average flow has dropped from a historical average of 820 cubic feet per second (cfs) down to a stagnant 430 cfs—just 53% of its historic volume.

Hawthorne’s research outlines a devastating biological chain reaction caused by this stagnation.”

Have you been to Silver Springs lately?

As North Central Florida’s exceptional drought stretches on, environmental officials are warning that the region’s primary underground water supply is facing an unprecedented strain. In Marion County, water levels in the Upper Floridan Aquifer have dropped so low they have touched levels rar...

08/18/2026

Become a member and RSVP for the member party today! Link in comments. Coozies included 😉 2026 FSI Member Bash

08/18/2026

Florida Springs Institute Environmental Scientist, Bill Hawthorne, everyone! 👏👏👏

A school of longnose gar gathers near a patch of floating vegetation in Ichetucknee Springs, Florida. Vegetation mats like this serve as essential spawning grounds for these fish, helping them avoid predators. However, the rise of boat traffic and ecotourism is prompting efforts to remove the vegetation from parks and waterways.

See more Photos of the Day: https://on.natgeo.com/Ph4bng

08/17/2026

[Bill] Hawthorne said, “The more groundwater we pump, the less water comes out of our springs. On top of that, we’re currently experiencing a bad drought. And a bad drought is like turning down the hose. Now with little rain, and groundwater pumping, Poe Springs has stopped flowing.”

Water use and the ongoing drought have put a strain on local rivers, springs and the Floridian Aquifer

08/13/2026

Another Kings Bay SpringsWatch session is on the books. Looks like it was an awesome day! 😎Thanks, Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers!

08/11/2026

Poe Springs has stopped flowing.

We created this video to explain how springs work, why Poe has stopped flowing, and what this means for the future of our springs.

08/11/2026

We can't wait to have FSI MEMBERS all in one place! 💦

Membership to FSI provides a sustainable source of income for our programs throughout the year. As thanks for your faithful membership, we offer our free annual Membership Bash where you can gather with other springs-minded individuals, enjoy the exhibits at the Florida Springs Welcome Center, and mingle with FSI staff.

Here is what to expect at our upcoming annual Membership Bash:

💧BBQ and vegetarian BBQ for all members

💧LIVE MUSIC by Black River Harvesters - Get ready to dance!

💧Beer donations provided by First Magnitude Brewing Company and Cypress & Grove Brewing Co.

💧FSI Member coozies as a party gifts for all members

💧Program - FSI Update by the Director, starting at 6:00 pm

Have you RSVP'd yet?

✨💦 Register for the 2026 Membership Bash through the link in the comments.

✨💦 Have a friend who is not a member of FSI yet? BRING THEM! They can sign up for an FSI membership ahead of time, or at the door.

You are such an important part of our work. We can't wait to say THANK YOU. Register now and we'll see you soon!

08/11/2026

Dr. Robert Knight will discuss Florida's incredible freshwater springs and the hydrogeology behind how they function. We hope you will join us for an unforgettable presentation from a springs legend.

Dr. Robert Knight's biography:
Robert Knight is an environmental scientist with a PhD in Systems Ecology from the University of Florida and the founder of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute in High Springs. Bob has worked on various aspects of springs science for over 50 years and his professional experience includes all aspects of environmental study, including design and implementation of field studies, data analysis and interpretation, water quality modeling, project management, quality assurance and review, environmental systems overview analysis and computer modeling, and impact analysis, prediction, and assessment. He is experienced in a wide range of applied research problems in aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial environments and has completed environmental assessments nationwide.

Dr. Knight served as a professor at the University of Florida for six years, teaching graduate-level courses in Springs Ecology and Treatment Wetland Design. He has written five books, including Silenced Springs: Moving from Tragedy to Hope, Death by a Thousand Cuts, Saving Florida's Springs, and co-authored Treatment Wetlands. Bob also published numerous springs restoration plans which are available at the Florida Springs Welcome Center in High Springs, and authored nearly a hundred op-eds that have been published in local and national news outlets.

If you would like to read more about Bob's qualifications, you can find a link to a summary of accomplishments and publications in the comments below.

See you in High Springs for the presentation, or on Facebook Live!

08/04/2026

Springs Academy: Springs Hydrogeology lecture is coming up and the timing couldn't be better.

Dr. Robert Knight will discuss Florida's incredible freshwater springs and the hydrogeology behind how they function. We hope you will join us for an unforgettable presentation from a springs legend.

Dr. Robert Knight's biography:
Robert Knight is an environmental scientist with a PhD in Systems Ecology from the University of Florida and the founder of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute in High Springs. Bob has worked on various aspects of springs science for over 50 years and his professional experience includes all aspects of environmental study, including design and implementation of field studies, data analysis and interpretation, water quality modeling, project management, quality assurance and review, environmental systems overview analysis and computer modeling, and impact analysis, prediction, and assessment. He is experienced in a wide range of applied research problems in aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial environments and has completed environmental assessments nationwide.

Dr. Knight served as a professor at the University of Florida for six years, teaching graduate-level courses in Springs Ecology and Treatment Wetland Design. He has written five books, including Silenced Springs: Moving from Tragedy to Hope, Death by a Thousand Cuts, Saving Florida's Springs, and co-authored Treatment Wetlands. Bob also published numerous springs restoration plans which are available at the Florida Springs Welcome Center in High Springs, and authored nearly a hundred op-eds that have been published in local and national news outlets.

If you would like to read more about Bob's qualifications, you can find a link to a summary of accomplishments and publications in the comments below.

See you in High Springs for the presentation, or on Facebook Live!