SpringsWatch: Kings BAy Springs
This group is currently accepting new volunteers. Volunteers must have access to their own kayaks to participate in this group.
Our Kings Bay SpringsWatch team is recruiting volunteers. If you are interested in being part of this area’s first SpringsWatch team, reach out to us by completing the volunteer application below.
Located within the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, Kings Bay is a first magnitude Florida springs system with over 70 springs pumping out 600 million gallons of freshwater per day from the Floridan Aquifer. The area is prime winter habitat for the threatened Florida Manatee, which gather by the hundreds in the life-sustaining 72-degree spring waters when temperatures drop in the Gulf of Mexico. Our Kings Bay SpringsWatch team will conduct monthly monitoring sessions via kayaks. Citizen scientist volunteers will paddle a six-mile loop to collect data from up to seven springs: Three Sisters, Idiot’s Delight, Magnolia, Jurassic, Hunter, Catfish, and King.
At up to seven springs in the Kings Bay system, SpringsWatch volunteers collect data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, and aquatic vegetation. This group also conducts visual fish counts. Volunteers will need their own kayak, as well as snorkeling gear if they wish to participate in the fish counts. (Click here to learn more about the fish commonly found in Florida springs.)
SpringsWatch offers volunteers a deep dive into understanding the ecology of Florida springs through a fun day on the water that helps generate research which supports them.
Click here or scroll down to sign up, contact us, or learn more about other SpringsWatch locations.
Kings Bay SpringsWatch Data and Report Monitoring Summary
Become a citizen scientist And Help Protect Florida's Springs!
Springswatch volunteer application form
*Groups with a wait list are at capacity and currently not accepting new volunteers. If you wish to select one of these groups, we suggest applying for an additional group with no wait list to ensure you are able to participate in sampling as soon as possible. Apply for as many as you like!
SPRINGSWATCH
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Shannon Letcher
FSI SpringsWatch Volunteer Coordinator
The Panhandle SpringsWatch program was funded in part through generous support from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida
