H. T. Odum Florida Springs Institute

3 Year Plan

The Florida Springs Institute recognizes the continuing beauty and wonder of Florida’s springs and their dependent ecological systems. At the same time it is clear that many of these springs are changing as a result of Florida’s expanding human population. The need for immediate action to protect many springs from additional deterioration is great. Numerous activities to forward this restoration goal are currently underway by concerned public and private groups. But there are also many gaps in these actions that unnecessarily add to delays in springs restoration and protection. The Florida Springs Institute’s Three-Year Plan provides a strategy to fill these gaps and to accelerate the necessary changes in human behaviors needed to reverse the negative trends in the ecological health of many springs.

 

Year 1 - 2010

 

Depending on funding support, the Florida Springs Institute will strive to accomplish the following activities during its first year of existence:

 

  • Establish the legal framework and status for the Institute, including a description of its Purpose, Mission, Goals, and Plan
  • Establish a website: www.FloridaSpringsInstitute.org
  • Enlist an Advisory Panel to help direct the development and goals of the Institute
  • Hold an inaugural fundraiser
  • Submit grant applications to private foundations and public agencies
  • Conduct existing-funded projects including:
    • Marion County First-Magnitude Springs Assessment
    • Silver Springs Springs-Watch Pilot project
  • Plan the First Annual Springs Restoration Workshop to be held in the spring of 2011
  • Outreach to the Florida legislature, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Water Management Districts, county governments, and community service organizations
  • Assess accomplishments and update plan

 

Year 2 - 2011

 

Depending on funding support, the Florida Springs Institute will strive to accomplish the following activities during its second year of existence:

 

  • Increase efforts for community-based fundraising
  • Continue to prepare and submit grant applications to private foundations and public agencies
  • Establish the Florida Springs Institute Endowment Fund to support the eventual creation of a physical Scientific and Educational Institute to be located at one of Florida’s most important first-magnitude springs
  • Conduct projects including:
    • Propagate the Springs-Watch pilot at Silver Springs to include other major springs such as Wakulla, Rainbow, Ichetucknee, etc.
    • Compile a Florida Springs Information Clearinghouse
    • Hold the First Annual Florida Springs Restoration Workshop
    • Plan the Second Annual Florida Springs Restoration Workshop
    • Support springs science, including recording ecosystem structure and functions, impairment measures and effects of nitrate pollution, establishment of protective minimum flows and levels, and human-use carrying capacity studies
  • Disseminate springs knowledge through the Florida Springs Institute website
  • Assess accomplishments and update plan

 

Year 3 - 2012

 

Based on funding support, the Florida Springs Institute will strive to accomplish the following activities during its third year of existence:

 

  • Continue community fund raising and grant applications
  • Continue outreach with continual updates based on improving scientific understanding of springs conditions
  • Conduct projects, including:
    • Begin planning of the Springs Science and Education Center
    • Continue to expand the Springs-Watch program
    • Hold Second Annual Florida Springs Restoration Workshop
    • Plan the Third Annual Florida Springs Restoration Workshop
    • Update the Springs Information Clearinghouse
    • Continue to develop good springs science, including:
  • Alternative agricultural practices
  • Groundwater recharge and protection guidelines
  • Tools for springs restoration
  • Assess accomplishments and update plan

(download)

To Posterous, Love Metalab