Florida Springs Council
@flspringscouncil.bsky.social
Policy, law and advocacy for Florida’s Springs.
Initial reactions to HB 479: Land and Water Management by Rep. Maggard 🙄🤦♀️🫨🫣
#florida #floridalaw #floridasprings #floridaland #floridawater #watermanagement
#florida #floridalaw #floridasprings #floridaland #floridawater #watermanagement
November 20, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Initial reactions to HB 479: Land and Water Management by Rep. Maggard 🙄🤦♀️🫨🫣
#florida #floridalaw #floridasprings #floridaland #floridawater #watermanagement
#florida #floridalaw #floridasprings #floridaland #floridawater #watermanagement
🚨Single-use plastics harm wildlife & contaminate our drinking water. SB 240 is a practical solution that provides a path forward for local govs to regulate plastic pollution in their communities. Take a moment to email the senators voting on SB 240 TOMORROW!
Take action with me to protect Florida's Springs during the 2026 Legislative Session
Our springs need your help! Use your voice to speak up for Florida springs, conservation lands and wildlife. The Florida Springs Council makes it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Pro...
floridaspringscouncil.good.do
November 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
🚨Single-use plastics harm wildlife & contaminate our drinking water. SB 240 is a practical solution that provides a path forward for local govs to regulate plastic pollution in their communities. Take a moment to email the senators voting on SB 240 TOMORROW!
Reposted by Florida Springs Council
Join the @flspringscouncil.bsky.social for a deep dive into Florida's Legislative Session and lobbying for springs 🏛️ PART 5 OF THE SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 SERIES 💦
🗓️ Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. buff.ly/Bx7C590
🗓️ Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. buff.ly/Bx7C590
November 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Join the @flspringscouncil.bsky.social for a deep dive into Florida's Legislative Session and lobbying for springs 🏛️ PART 5 OF THE SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 SERIES 💦
🗓️ Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. buff.ly/Bx7C590
🗓️ Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. buff.ly/Bx7C590
🚨ACTION ALERT: SB 240 is being voted on by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources committee on Nov. 18 👏 This is a GOOD bill to protect home rule & keep trash out of our waterways!
🔗 Click here to email the senators who will vote on this bill: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2026legislat...
🔗 Click here to email the senators who will vote on this bill: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2026legislat...
Take action with me to protect Florida's Springs during the 2026 Legislative Session
Our springs need your help! Use your voice to speak up for Florida springs, conservation lands and wildlife. The Florida Springs Council makes it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Pro...
floridaspringscouncil.good.do
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🚨ACTION ALERT: SB 240 is being voted on by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources committee on Nov. 18 👏 This is a GOOD bill to protect home rule & keep trash out of our waterways!
🔗 Click here to email the senators who will vote on this bill: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2026legislat...
🔗 Click here to email the senators who will vote on this bill: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2026legislat...
Are you planning to attend one of our upcoming events? Hope to see you at one of our paddles, webinars or markets soon!
October 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Are you planning to attend one of our upcoming events? Hope to see you at one of our paddles, webinars or markets soon!
It’s ABOUT DAM TIME to restore the Ocklawaha River 👏 Join the Florida Springs Council in voicing support for state decision makers to take action to approve restoration of the Ocklawaha River in 2026.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Visit ItsAboutDamTime.org to sign the Pledge to Restore the Ocklawaha River ✍️
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Visit ItsAboutDamTime.org to sign the Pledge to Restore the Ocklawaha River ✍️
September 29, 2025 at 1:41 PM
It’s ABOUT DAM TIME to restore the Ocklawaha River 👏 Join the Florida Springs Council in voicing support for state decision makers to take action to approve restoration of the Ocklawaha River in 2026.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Visit ItsAboutDamTime.org to sign the Pledge to Restore the Ocklawaha River ✍️
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Visit ItsAboutDamTime.org to sign the Pledge to Restore the Ocklawaha River ✍️
Reposted by Florida Springs Council
Column: The push to create a #Florida Springs National Park doesn't spring from a desire to really fix what's wrong with the springs. My latest for @floridaphoenix.com also features shout-outs to Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the Fantastic Four. floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/18/n...
National park proposed for Florida springs doesn’t spring from desire to fix problems • Florida Phoenix
Florida has three national parks — Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas, all in the southern end of the state. Now newbie U.S. Rep. Randy Fine of Brevard County wants to create a fourth one, this ti...
floridaphoenix.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Column: The push to create a #Florida Springs National Park doesn't spring from a desire to really fix what's wrong with the springs. My latest for @floridaphoenix.com also features shout-outs to Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the Fantastic Four. floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/18/n...
“If we make it easy for them by having quotas, having restrictions on how to vacation, we can get a lot of the way there,” Smart said. “There’s very little I’ve ever seen that’s as beautiful as launching your kayak on the north end of Ichetucknee.”
📰 “We don’t want to love our springs to death,” he (FSC Executive Director Ryan Smart) said. “But I also believe that in order to protect something, you have to love it, and to love it, you have to experience it.”
www.wuft.org/environment/...
www.wuft.org/environment/...
Residents worry that foot traffic hurts Ichetucknee Springs; some experts say otherwise
Recent reports praising north central Florida’s Ichetucknee Springs prompted some area residents to post concerned comments on social media about excessive use of the area.
www.wuft.org
September 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“If we make it easy for them by having quotas, having restrictions on how to vacation, we can get a lot of the way there,” Smart said. “There’s very little I’ve ever seen that’s as beautiful as launching your kayak on the north end of Ichetucknee.”
📰 “We don’t want to love our springs to death,” he (FSC Executive Director Ryan Smart) said. “But I also believe that in order to protect something, you have to love it, and to love it, you have to experience it.”
www.wuft.org/environment/...
www.wuft.org/environment/...
Residents worry that foot traffic hurts Ichetucknee Springs; some experts say otherwise
Recent reports praising north central Florida’s Ichetucknee Springs prompted some area residents to post concerned comments on social media about excessive use of the area.
www.wuft.org
September 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
📰 “We don’t want to love our springs to death,” he (FSC Executive Director Ryan Smart) said. “But I also believe that in order to protect something, you have to love it, and to love it, you have to experience it.”
www.wuft.org/environment/...
www.wuft.org/environment/...
“It worries me that we would take something that [belongs to] the citizens of Florida … and we would give them up to another level of government that we will have less say or input,” Smart said.
Should a ‘Florida Springs National Park’ be created? Environmental advocates are torn trib.al/243ynKA
Should a ‘Florida Springs National Park’ be created? Environmental advocates are torn
“It worries me that we would take something that [belongs to] the citizens of Florida … and we would give them up to another level of government that we will have less say or input. Thi…
trib.al
September 15, 2025 at 2:12 PM
“It worries me that we would take something that [belongs to] the citizens of Florida … and we would give them up to another level of government that we will have less say or input,” Smart said.
“I think that it’s a well-intentioned idea. It’s just not what we need to protect Florida springs. And if that’s the goal, let’s do the things that we need.” - Florida Springs Council Executive Director Ryan Smart
www.cfpublic.org/environment/...
www.cfpublic.org/environment/...
Springs advocates aren’t convinced by proposal to consider Florida Springs National Park
A Florida Congressman wants the federal government to consider a Florida Springs National Park. Environmental stakeholders are skeptical.
www.cfpublic.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
“I think that it’s a well-intentioned idea. It’s just not what we need to protect Florida springs. And if that’s the goal, let’s do the things that we need.” - Florida Springs Council Executive Director Ryan Smart
www.cfpublic.org/environment/...
www.cfpublic.org/environment/...
📰 “We just have too much pollution going into the ground and too much water coming out of the ground,” said Ryan Smart, executive director of the nonprofit Florida Springs Council. “And when you get that combination, you end up with springs that are no longer blue and vibrant and full of life.”
Florida's once-pristine springs threatened by pollution, development and climate change
Florida boasts at least 1,000 freshwater springs, more than any other U.S. state. They are all under threats from agricultural pollution, stress from rapid development and from climate change that is ...
apnews.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
📰 “We just have too much pollution going into the ground and too much water coming out of the ground,” said Ryan Smart, executive director of the nonprofit Florida Springs Council. “And when you get that combination, you end up with springs that are no longer blue and vibrant and full of life.”
Springs Advocacy 101 PART 2 - A deep dive into FDEP’s Springs BMAPs with experts on agricultural pollution, septic tanks & urban fertilizer.
🗓️ Aug. 27 @ 6:30 PM
💻 FB and YouTube
m.youtube.com/watch?v=_PpM...
🗓️ Aug. 27 @ 6:30 PM
💻 FB and YouTube
m.youtube.com/watch?v=_PpM...
Springs Advocacy 101: Why Are Florida Springs Still So Polluted
YouTube video by Florida Springs Council
m.youtube.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Springs Advocacy 101 PART 2 - A deep dive into FDEP’s Springs BMAPs with experts on agricultural pollution, septic tanks & urban fertilizer.
🗓️ Aug. 27 @ 6:30 PM
💻 FB and YouTube
m.youtube.com/watch?v=_PpM...
🗓️ Aug. 27 @ 6:30 PM
💻 FB and YouTube
m.youtube.com/watch?v=_PpM...
NEW ALBUM DROP 💿 The Life of a S̶h̶o̶w̶g̶i̶r̶l̶ Springs Advocate
Day in the life of a #SpringsAdvocate: Showing up at the Capitol to meet with legislators, attending Legislative Session committee meetings, emailing decision makers & getting outdoors to enjoy Florida’s incredible natural spaces 🏛️🥾🛶
Day in the life of a #SpringsAdvocate: Showing up at the Capitol to meet with legislators, attending Legislative Session committee meetings, emailing decision makers & getting outdoors to enjoy Florida’s incredible natural spaces 🏛️🥾🛶
August 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
NEW ALBUM DROP 💿 The Life of a S̶h̶o̶w̶g̶i̶r̶l̶ Springs Advocate
Day in the life of a #SpringsAdvocate: Showing up at the Capitol to meet with legislators, attending Legislative Session committee meetings, emailing decision makers & getting outdoors to enjoy Florida’s incredible natural spaces 🏛️🥾🛶
Day in the life of a #SpringsAdvocate: Showing up at the Capitol to meet with legislators, attending Legislative Session committee meetings, emailing decision makers & getting outdoors to enjoy Florida’s incredible natural spaces 🏛️🥾🛶
SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 💦 Now time to dive into the policies & programs that impact springs protection! (1/3)
August 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 💦 Now time to dive into the policies & programs that impact springs protection! (1/3)
Nearly 90% of Outstanding FL Springs are impaired by pollution & pollution in our springs continues to INCREASE!
🗓️8/27 at 6:30 pm: FSC will go live to discuss the details & shortcomings of FDEP’s plans to cleanup polluted springs 🔗 Livestream: www.facebook.com/share/16wnx5...
📷️: Alan Youngblood
🗓️8/27 at 6:30 pm: FSC will go live to discuss the details & shortcomings of FDEP’s plans to cleanup polluted springs 🔗 Livestream: www.facebook.com/share/16wnx5...
📷️: Alan Youngblood
August 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Nearly 90% of Outstanding FL Springs are impaired by pollution & pollution in our springs continues to INCREASE!
🗓️8/27 at 6:30 pm: FSC will go live to discuss the details & shortcomings of FDEP’s plans to cleanup polluted springs 🔗 Livestream: www.facebook.com/share/16wnx5...
📷️: Alan Youngblood
🗓️8/27 at 6:30 pm: FSC will go live to discuss the details & shortcomings of FDEP’s plans to cleanup polluted springs 🔗 Livestream: www.facebook.com/share/16wnx5...
📷️: Alan Youngblood
August 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
#ICYMI Our first Springs Advocacy 101 discussion is available to watch now!
FSC Director Ryan Smart provided an insightful overview of BMAPs, MFLs, water use permits, springs protection zones, best management practices, comp plans, local ordinances & MORE! Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4dF...
FSC Director Ryan Smart provided an insightful overview of BMAPs, MFLs, water use permits, springs protection zones, best management practices, comp plans, local ordinances & MORE! Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4dF...
Springs Advocacy 101 💦 Players & Policies
YouTube video by Florida Springs Council
www.youtube.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
#ICYMI Our first Springs Advocacy 101 discussion is available to watch now!
FSC Director Ryan Smart provided an insightful overview of BMAPs, MFLs, water use permits, springs protection zones, best management practices, comp plans, local ordinances & MORE! Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4dF...
FSC Director Ryan Smart provided an insightful overview of BMAPs, MFLs, water use permits, springs protection zones, best management practices, comp plans, local ordinances & MORE! Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4dF...
TONIGHT @ 6:30 PM
DON’T MISS OUR SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 WEBINAR THIS WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 P.M.
💦 Dive in to the basics of water policy with the Florida Springs Council
www.facebook.com/share/1FEL2X...
💦 Dive in to the basics of water policy with the Florida Springs Council
www.facebook.com/share/1FEL2X...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
TONIGHT @ 6:30 PM
DON’T MISS OUR SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 WEBINAR THIS WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 P.M.
💦 Dive in to the basics of water policy with the Florida Springs Council
www.facebook.com/share/1FEL2X...
💦 Dive in to the basics of water policy with the Florida Springs Council
www.facebook.com/share/1FEL2X...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
DON’T MISS OUR SPRINGS ADVOCACY 101 WEBINAR THIS WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 P.M.
💦 Dive in to the basics of water policy with the Florida Springs Council
www.facebook.com/share/1FEL2X...
💦 Dive in to the basics of water policy with the Florida Springs Council
www.facebook.com/share/1FEL2X...
FDEP is failing our springs.
Here’s how:
1/3
Here’s how:
1/3
July 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
FDEP is failing our springs.
Here’s how:
1/3
Here’s how:
1/3
A win for Florida: The #KILLTHEDRILL bill was just signed by the Governor, banning oil drilling in Apalachicola 👏 Shoutout to the folks with The Downriver Project, Apalachicola Riverkeeper & all the local leaders + advocates who fought hard to protect the Forgotten Coast 🙌
June 27, 2025 at 1:31 AM
A win for Florida: The #KILLTHEDRILL bill was just signed by the Governor, banning oil drilling in Apalachicola 👏 Shoutout to the folks with The Downriver Project, Apalachicola Riverkeeper & all the local leaders + advocates who fought hard to protect the Forgotten Coast 🙌
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Governor DeSantis just signed the State Parks protection bill prohibiting golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts and more in Florida State Parks 👏 A HUGE WIN FOR FLORIDA’S ENVIRONMENT THANKS TO YOUR ADVOCACY AND PERSISTENCE 🙌
May 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Governor DeSantis just signed the State Parks protection bill prohibiting golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts and more in Florida State Parks 👏 A HUGE WIN FOR FLORIDA’S ENVIRONMENT THANKS TO YOUR ADVOCACY AND PERSISTENCE 🙌
BREAKING: The State Parks Protection Bill has been sent to Governor DeSantis ‼️ He has 7 days to act on the bill, and he indicated a few weeks ago that he would sign the bill!
May 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
BREAKING: The State Parks Protection Bill has been sent to Governor DeSantis ‼️ He has 7 days to act on the bill, and he indicated a few weeks ago that he would sign the bill!