District proclaims April 2022 as Springs Protection Awareness Month

From left to right: Board members Chris Peterson, Ryan Atwood, Douglas Burnett, Doug Bournique, Rob Bradley, Maryam Ghyabi-White, Cole Oliver, District General Counsel Mary Ellen Winkler and District Executive Director Mike Register. (not pictured Board members Janet Price and Ron Howse)

PALATKA, Fla., March 8, 2022 ― The St. Johns River Water Management District has long been dedicated to protecting Florida’s springs. Demonstrating that commitment, the District’s Governing Board approved a proclamation designating April as Springs Protection Awareness Month for the ninth consecutive year. The annual designation, which was adopted at Tuesday’s Governing Board meeting, helps increase awareness about the importance of Florida’s springs and encourages residents and stakeholders to participate in the protection of springs.

“The support provided by Gov. DeSantis and our partners at Florida Department of Environmental Protection and funding provided by the Legislature for springs restoration is vital to the success of our work at the District,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “Over the past eight years, the District has co-funded 154 projects, which has saved more than 100 million of gallons of water a day to help protect Outstanding Florida Springs—springs we hope offer places our children, grandchildren and future generations can continue to enjoy.”

Steps to reduce pollution and groundwater usage and minimize other impacts on the springs are at the heart of many projects and initiatives now underway. The District continues to build on partnerships with many entities, pursuing protection and restoration of springs through scientific research, restoration projects, water use regulation, water supply planning and stakeholder outreach.

Rep. Charles “Chuck” Clemons of Newberry recently introduced resolution (HR 8029) recognizing April 2022 as Springs Protection Awareness Month in Florida. Since 2013, water management districts across the state and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have joined the Legislature in recognizing the importance of springs and encouraging behaviors that will enhance springs protection.

Visit www.sjrwmd.com/springs for more information about the District’s work to protect springs.