Save Our Waters

30th Annual Save Our Waters Week

FEATURED ACTIVITIES

September 20-27, 2025

Theme – BALANCING GROWTH AND NATURE

• Saturday, Sept. 20, sunrise to 11:30am. 36TH ANNUAL LAKES, RIVERS, AND COASTAL CLEANUP. Groups and or organizations are encouraged to volunteer. Registration deadline: Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Download application at cleanup application or email [email protected] for an application.
• Saturday, Sept. 20. 10am to noon. JOIN CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER LINDA WILINSKI at the Lakes Region Library in Inverness for a captivating visual journey through Florida’s freshwater springs. Through Linda’s lens, explore the beauty of these vital waters and the wildlife they support, while gaining insight into the environmental challenges they face and their importance to Florida’s ecology. Call 352-201-0149 to reserve a spot. Capacity 75. FREE
• Saturday, Sept. 20. 1:45-3:45pm. JOIN CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER LINDA WILINSKI at the Central Ridge Library in Beverly Hills to discover how your camera can deepen your connection with nature. Learn photography tips and how to capture stunning images both on land and beneath the water’s surface. Call 352-201-0149 to reserve a spot. Capacity 55. FREE
• Monday, Sept. 22. Tours at 9:30 am & 11:30am. TWO 2-HOUR TOURS OF KINGS BAY sponsored by Birds Underwater Dive Center. Call 352-563-2763 to reserve a spot. Capacity 12 people per tour. FREE
• Monday, Sept. 22. Tour from 10am to noon. GUIDED KAYAK TOUR OF THREE SISTERS SPRINGS. Paddle through the crystal-clear waters of Three Sisters Springs on a guided tour led by our Springs Team scientists. Learn about Southwest Florida Water Management District’s ongoing efforts to protect and restore this vital natural resource. Reserve your seat by Sept. 12 by calling 813-445-5220 or email [email protected] to register. Capacity: 10. FREE
• Tuesday, Sept. 23. 9-11am. PARTICIPATE IN the Bluebird Springs Park Beautification, hosted by Citrus County Parks & Recreation and Mosquito Control. This event features native and Florida-friendly planting, a spring clean-up, and educational displays from local partners. Bring your gloves and help restore this natural treasure while learning about conservation and connecting with your community. To register call 352-527-7478. FREE.
• Wednesday, Sept. 24, 10am. OUTBACK KAYAK TOUR sponsored by Hunter Springs Kayaks. Call 352-228-4715 to register. Deadline Sept. 20. Capacity: 10 per tour. FREE.
• Wednesday, Sept. 24, 11am. NATURE CRUISE WITH CRYSTAL RIVER WATERSPORTS. One-hour cruise down the Indian River/Canal to the Indian mounds. To register call 352-795-7033. Capacity: 16 people. Cost: $10 - refunded at end of tour. Please be sure you are attending before making reservation. No cancellations or refunds prior to trip.
• Thursday, Sept. 25, 9:00am. TOUR CITRUS COUNTY’S RECENTLY UPGRADED AND EXPANDED SOUTHWEST REGIONAL WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY located in the Sugarmill Woods community. Learn how the facility uses advanced water treatment and reduces groundwater withdrawals. Registration required. For registration and tour location call 352-527-7684 or email [email protected]. Capacity: 20. FREE.
• Thursday, Sept. 25. Tours 10:30am and 1:30pm. HERITAGE ECO BOAT TOURS AT CRYSTAL RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK sponsored by Crystal River Preserve Adventures. Experience estuary boat tours on the Crystal River. Depart from Crystal River Preserve State Park, 3266 N. Sailboat Ave. Call 855-613-2777. Advance registration required. Capacity 24 people per tour. FREE.
• Friday, Sept. 26, 9-11am. LEARN THE MAGIC OF CRYSTAL RIVER. Join Citrus County Parks & Recreation for a morning of hands-on education and fun at Fort Island Trail Park! Explore the diverse land and aquatic species of the Crystal River, learn how to cast a line off the pier, and enjoy interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. Discover how healthy rivers and marshes support both wildlife and our community. Click here to register: https://tinyurl.com/Parks-RecreationActivities (need to search for event by date). Capacity 25. FREE.
• Friday Sept. 26, 8-11am. COME PADDLE THE CRYSTAL RIVER with the staff from Florida Public Archaeology Network, St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve, and Florida Park Service and learn the natural history of the river. Depart from Crystal River Preserve State Park – Visitor Center kayak launch, 3266 N. Sailboat Ave., Crystal River, FL 34428. For more information, email Nigel Rudolph at [email protected]. Capacity: 20 people. Pre-registration required. Cost: $25 to rent a kayak (click here to register/reserve kayak) https://save-our-waters-week-2025-rental.eventbrite.com; $20 if you bring your own kayak (click here to register) : https://save-our-waters-week-2025-BYO.eventbrite.com
• Saturday Sept. 27. 9am. Wildlife Walk on the 7-Mile Loop Trail! Join Crystal River Preserve State Park and St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve to help document local wildlife using the iNaturalist app. Participants will take photos and sound recordings to identify as many species as possible while exploring this scenic trail. Meet at the end of State Park Street in Crystal River. Sign up for a how-to and/or to join the walk here: https://tinyurl.com/2hwm4wzb. FREE.
• Saturday, Sept. 27, 3-5:30pm – PRESENTATION BY Max Schulman and Tom Craig, authors of newly published "Cross Florida Greenway Trail Adventure". Come learn the history of the old Florida Barge Canal construction, the importance of the dams and springs in our area and the need to restore and maintain them. Location: Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, Inverness. Register at 352-341-6428. 150 people. FREE. Sponsored in part by the Inverness Cultural Heritage Council and Keep Citrus County Beautiful.

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EVENTS OUTSIDE THE WEEK OF SAVE OUR WATERS FEATURED ACTIVITIES:

• Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30pm. LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL JEOPARDY COMPETITION. Local middle schools compete in testing their environmental knowledge. Public invited. Event held at Conference Center, College of Central Florida, Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto. Call (352) 613-6850 for information. FREE.
• Thursday, Oct. 23, 7pm. LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL JEOPARDY COMPETITION. Local high schools compete in testing their environmental knowledge. Public invited. Event held at Conference Center, College of Central Florida, Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto. Call (352) 613-6850 for information. FREE.
• Photo Contest. Typically runs from July through August. All Photos must have been taken in Citrus County within the last year. First place prize is $150, second place $75, third place $50. To enter, visit https://www.chronicleonline.com/contests/.
• Poster Contest. Runs from 01/01/26 through 02/21/26. Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to create a poster depicting a water-saving idea, in slogan form, drawing form, or both. Original artwork only. For details, email [email protected] or call 352-527-7684.
• Editorials - Community leaders contribute to guest editorials on Save Our Water’s week theme of the year. Editorial available to the public between second/third week of September.