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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. 

2026 SPRINGS ACADEMY LECTURE SERIES

The Florida Springs Institute’s founder 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 (18645 High Springs Main Street High Springs, FL 32643). Classes are held on the second Tuesday of every month in 2025, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Participants who attend all 6 classes will receive a certificate of completion upon request. Drop-ins are welcome! No need to register in advance.
 
JANUARY 13th

Springs Overview – Dr. Robert Knight, Florida Springs Institute

FEBRUARY 10th
Springs Hydrogeology – Jim Gross, Licensed Professional Geologist

MARCH 10th
Springs Biology – Paul Donsky, Suwannee River Water Mangement District
 

APRIL14th
Springs Chemistry– Rick Copeland, AquiferWatch

MAY 12th
Springs Stresses – TBD

JUNE 9th
Springs Advocacy – TBD
 
 

SPRINGS ACADEMY Videos

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

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

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. 

2025

Springs Academy: Springs Hydrogeology with Dr. Jonathan Martin

February 11th, 2025 at the Florida Springs Welcome Center in High Springs, Florida

Springs Academy: Springs STRESSES with George Hochmuth

November 11th, 2025 at the Florida Springs Welcome Center in High Springs, Florida

Springs Academy: Springs Advocacy with RYAN SMART

December 9th, 2025 at the Florida Springs Welcome Center in High Springs, Florida

2026

Springs Academy: Springs Overview with Dr. Robert Knight

January 13th, 2026 at the Florida Springs Welcome Center in High Springs, Florida