ABOUT HOWARD T. ODUM
FLORIDA SPRINGS INSTITUTE
WORKING TO PROTECT SPRINGS
THROUGH SOUND SCIENCE
The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute is a science-based educational nonprofit organization. Our organization’s main focus is to document and protect Florida’s springs to ensure access to clean drinking water for current and future generations.
Florida’s springs and rivers have long been known as premiere natural vacation destinations, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars to our local economy. Many are unaware that the source that feeds these biologically and economically rich oases is the Floridan Aquifer, which also provides 90% of our drinking water. This once pure, bountiful water source has fallen victim to excessive groundwater pumping and nutrient pollution, which threatens our health and quality of life. The time is now to protect Florida’s springs and aquifer. The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute is working to recommend management actions that will preserve the Floridan Aquifer, restore our waterways, and ensure access to clean water for all.
MISSION
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.
SPRINGS RESEARCH
Since 2011, the Florida Springs Institute has been monitoring springs by collecting water quality and quantity data, conducting springs research projects, and documenting the overall health of spring ecosystems. We are continuously building on a scientifically defensible baseline of ecological data which is regularly used to develop spring restoration plans, management action plans, and recommendations to individuals, businesses, and state government agencies on how they can better protect Florida springs so that future generations can enjoy them as we have.
OUTREACH & EDUCATION
We have grown a lot since 2011, when Florida Spring Institute founding group of scientists and spring experts established our organization as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Since then, we have been dedicated to educating the public about Florida springs through our many programs, learning tools, and events. One of our biggest assets is our springs center, North Florida Springs Environmental Center (NFSEC), which we designed to showcase many fascinating aspects of Florida spring ecosystems and to help answer all of your springs questions.
Want to schedule a tour, presentation, or event for your group or class? Click Here!
OUR IMPACT
8
YEARS MONITORING
10
WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS COLLECTED
235
SpringsWatch SAMPLING TRIPS
> 16,000
VOLUNTEER HOURS
- Developing a quantitative and scientifically defensible baseline of ecological data that documents their existing environmental conditions and trends over time.
- Disseminating current best available knowledge and information about Florida's springs to the public and their leaders.
- Developing and promoting management actions needed to reverse adverse changes occurring in many springs in the state.
- Promoting a strong economy throughout the springs heartland of north and central Florida that is compatible with healthy springs.
- Supporting wise land use practices to reduce pollution affecting springs and to maintain historic spring flows that promote healthy spring ecosystems.
- Increasing the public's awareness of the threats to springs and the need to fund basic springs science commensurate with their intrinsic and economic values.
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