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SPRINGS ACADEMY

BECOME A SPRINGS EXPERT IN SIX SHORT CLASSES!

Springs Academy is a 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. 

2023 SPRINGS ACADEMY LECTURE SERIES

The Florida Springs Institute’s executive director and renowned springs expert Dr. Robert Knight and guest lecturers are teaching a FREE 6-part lecture series on the springs, covering a broad range of topics.
The Springs Academy lecture series takes place at the Florida Springs Welcome Center in historic downtown High Springs. Lectures will also be streamed online via Facebook Live. Classes are held on the second Tuesday of every month, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm.

Participants who attend all 6 classes will receive a certificate of completion. Drop-ins are welcome! No need to register in advance.

July 14 – Springs Overview
August 8 – Springs Hydrogeology – Jim Gross, FL Defenders of the Environment
September 12 – Springs Chemistry – Lisa Saupp, Aqua Pure Water Testing
October 10 – Springs Biology – Ken Sulak
November 14 – Springs Stresses
December 12 – Springs Advocacy
 
Discussion will go as deep as our time and audience allows. Conversation will continue afterward at The Great Outdoors restaurant, where participants can join Dr. Knight for lunch. Attendees pay for their own meal.

Recorded videos of these lectures will be posted here within one week following the live presentation 

June 14th, 2022 12:00PM - 1:00PM EST:

"Springs Overview" with Dr. Robert Knight

July 12th, 2022 12:00PM - 1:00PM EST:

"Springs HYDROGEOLOGY" with Dr. Robert Knight

August 9th, 2022 12:00PM - 1:00PM EST:

"Springs Chemistry " with Dr. Robert Knight

We experienced some technical difficulties with this live streamed video. Here is a previously recorded Springs Chemistry lecture:

September 13th, 2022 12:00PM - 1:00PM EST:

"Springs Biology " with Dr. Robert Knight

September 1st, 2021 12:00PM - 1:00PM EST:

"The legacy of Howard T. Odum" with Dr. Robert Knight

Systems ecologist and namesake of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, Dr. Odum was a pioneer in ecosystems ecology. Howard T. Odum’s study of Silver Springs, published in 1957, was the first complete analysis of a natural ecosystem. This Springs Academy: Deep Dive will describe the life, the work, and the legacy of an ecological legend. This lecture will be given by Dr. Robert Knight, a student of Dr. Odum and executive director of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute. A birthday celebration not to be missed!

July 20th, 2021 12:00PM - 1:00PM EST:

"Sustaining the Suwannee: A Journalistic Expedition of the Suwannee River" with Joshua Baker

Joshua Baker is a multimedia storyteller who recently earned his master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. He specializes in breaking down complex environmental, scientific and historical concepts for broad public audiences. His previous work includes collaborating with the Florida Climate Institute to develop an environmental resiliency plan for of Port St. Joe, Florida, and the surrounding region in the wake of Hurricane Michael; and a journalistic project on the intersection of climate change and public health in Florida.

May 11th, 2021 12:00PM - 1:00PM:

"Florida’s Antique Freshwater Fishes – Analog Fishes in a Digital World" with Kenneth Sulak

Kenneth Sulak is a research fish biologist retired from the U.S. Geological Survey. Dr. Sulak has Ph.D. and Masters degrees from the University of Miami School of Marine Science, and a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.   From 1985-1994 he was Director and Senior Fish Biologist at the Atlantic Reference Center, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, New Brunswick, Canada.  He has conducted international research as a NATO Fellow in England, a U.S. National Academy Exchange Scientist to Russia, and Chief Scientist aboard a large number of oceanographic research cruises.  Dr. Sulak has published extensively on marine fish community ecology and sturgeon life history and conservation.  He has 50 years of experience researching fish ecology in coastal rivers, estuaries, and the deep-sea in the Atlantic, Arctic, East Pacific and Indian oceans. His Gulf sturgeon research filled critical gaps in knowledge of life history, population biology and habitat requirements in coastal rivers and the Gulf of Mexico, facilitating conservation of this species. Offshore research focused on deep-reef fish communities off the U.S. East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, and on yellowfin tuna attracted to oilrigs. Dr. Sulak led four years of intensive USGS research on the impacts of the BP oil spill upon Gulf of Mexico shelf-edge reef fish communities. Sulak is a founding member of the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society.  In 2008, he was honored with the GIBBS Foundation McAllister Award for excellence in marine fish conservation research. 

SPRINGS ACADEMY Videos

Visit our You tube channel through the link below to see all previously recorded Springs Academy lectures!