Mission & Goals

The mission of the Florida Springs Institute is to provide a focal point for improving the understanding of springs ecology and to foster the development of science-based education and management actions needed to restore and protect springs throughout Florida.

An important goal of the Florida Springs Institute is to develop a quantitative and scientifically-defensible baseline of ecological data for springs that documents their existing environmental conditions and trends over time. The Florida Springs Institute works closely with complimentary springs research efforts such as the Florida Springs Initiative, the Florida Geological Survey, the Florida Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the various Florida water management districts, university researchers, and concerned non-governmental organizations to share information and to advance the science of springs ecology.

A second important goal of the Florida Springs Institute is to disseminate current best available knowledge and information about the ecology and environmental condition of Florida’s springs to the public and their leaders and to recommend management actions needed to reverse adverse changes occurring in many springs in the state.

A third important goal of the Florida Springs Institute is to promote economic development throughout the springs heartland of north and central Florida that is compatible with healthy springs and that directly and indirectly supports wise land use practices to reduce pollution affecting springs and to maintain historic spring flows that support healthy spring, plant, and animal communities.

A fourth goal of the Florida Springs Institute is to increase the public’s awareness of the threats to springs and the need to fund basic springs science commensurate with the documented importance of healthy springs to maintaining Florida’s economic health.