
County Wide Annual Lakes, Rivers & Coastal Cleanup
September 16, 2023
Citrus County's 28th Annual Save Our Waters Week (SOWW), sponsored by Keep Citrus County Beautiful Inc., will be September 16-23, 2023, with the theme, “CONSERVING WATER = COMMON SENSE” The week, which promotes public appreciation and awareness to save our irreplaceable waters, features activities offered free to the public or a suggested donation.
The week kicks off with the 34th Annual Lakes, Rivers and Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 16. Individuals and groups across the community are encouraged to participate. Click here to download an application. Deadline to register is Monday, September 4. Need more information, call:(352) 527-7620. All participants will receive a Save Our Waters Week T-shirt.

Save Our Waters
28th Annual Save Our Waters Week
FEATURED ACTIVITIES
September 16-23, 2023
CONSERVING WATER = COMMON SENSE
Saturday, Sept. 16, sunrise to 11:30 a.m. 34th Annual Lakes, RIVERS, and Coastal Cleanup. Groups and or organizations are encouraged to volunteer. Registration deadline: Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Download application or email [email protected] for an application.
Monday, Sept. 18. Tour from 10am to noon. Guided Kayak Tour of the Chassahowitzka River with the Springs Team. Launch on a guided tour to Baird Creek while learning about the District's efforts to protect the river from our experienced scientists. Reserve your seat by Sept. 8 by calling 813-445-5220 or email [email protected] to register. Capacity: 10. Free.
Wednesday, Sept. 20, Tours at 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm. Two 3-Hour Eco-Tours of Kings Bay.sponsored by Hunter Springs Kayaks. Call 352-228-4715. Deadline to register Sept. 13. Capacity:10 per tour. FREE.
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 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.
Wednesday, Sept. 20. Tours at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. PONTOON BOAT TOURS OF THE CRYSTAL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Enjoy a staff-guided pontoon boat tour of the refuge islands in Kings Bay. Tours depart from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, 1502 S.E. Kings Bay Dr., Crystal River. To register call 352-563-2088. Capacity: 24 people per tour. FREE.
Thursday, Sept. 21, 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. Tour starts at the facility in Homosassa. Registration required. Call 352-527-7684 or email [email protected]. Capacity: 20.
Thursday, Sept. 21. Tours 10:30am and 1:30pm. HERITAGE ECO BOAT TOURS at Crystal River Preserve State Park. Experience the estuary boat tour on the Crystal River sponsored by Crystal River Preserve Adventures. Depart from Crystal River Preserve State Park, 3266 N. Sailboat Ave. Call 855-613-2777. Advance registration required. Capacity 24 people per tour.
Friday Sept. 22, 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://www.eventbrite.com/e/650118009467. $20 if you bring your own kayak (click here to register) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/650117879077.
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2pm. ONE HOUR SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF CRYSTAL RIVER with Manatee Tour and Dive. Location: 36 NE 4th St., Crystal River. Capacity: 22. FREE. For reservations and more information call 352-795-1333.
Saturday, Sept. 23, 5-:30-7:30pm. Presentation by Mark Fulkerson, Chief Professional Engineer with Southwest Florida Water Management District on the region’s waterflow from the Green Swamp to the Gulf. Location: Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, Inverness. Register at 352-341-6428 or go online at: cchistoricalsocietyshop.com. 150 people. FREE.
EVENTS OUTSIDE THE WEEK OF SAVE OUR WATERS FEATURED ACTIVITIES:
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 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.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 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.