Save Our Waters

31st Annual Save Our Waters Week

FEATURED ACTIVITIES

September 19-26, 2026

Theme — CONSERVE WATER TODAY FOR TOMORROW

• Saturday, Sept. 19, sunrise to 11:30am. 37TH ANNUAL LAKES, RIVERS, AND COASTAL CLEANUP. Groups and or organizations are encouraged to volunteer. Registration deadline: Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Register here: https://CitrusCoastalCleanup.eventbrite.com. Call 352-201-0149 for more information.
• Monday, Sept. 21. 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. 22. 10am. TOUR OF ACRES OF GLASS FACILITY. One-hour tour learning how glass bottles and jars are turned into sand and mulch for arts, crafts and landscaping projects. Welcome to bring empty glass bottles/jars. To register call 352-697-3956. Facility located at 4342 W Homosassa Trail, Lecanto. Capacity: 20. FREE.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23, 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. 23, 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 can attend before making reservation. No cancellations or refunds prior to trip.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23. Tours at 8am and 9:30am. 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 email [email protected]. Capacity: 24 people per tour. FREE.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 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. 24. 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.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 2pm - 4pm. RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP. Learn how to set up and maintain rain barrels for home landscapes or gardens using irrigation best management practices. Location: Citrus County UF/IFAS Extension Building, Lecanto. The workshop is free if not purchasing a rain barrel. Rain barrels are available for $37 each. Only 25 rain barrels, so registration and payment are required in advance for those purchasing one. Call (352) 527-5708 or register at ccuFFLprogram.eventbrite.com.
• Friday, Sept. 25, 9am. GUIDED ECO TOUR OF THREE SISTERS SPRINGS sponsored by Water's Edge Adventures. Explore one of Florida's most beautiful spring systems while learning about manatees, native wildlife, water quality, and conservation efforts that help protect Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs. Call 352-699-4221 or visit WatersEdgeAdventures.com to register. Deadline Sept. 18. Capacity: 10. FREE.
• Saturday, Sept. 26. 3pm-5:30pm – PRESENTATION BY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER LINDA WILINSKI, who will share 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. 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. 29, 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. 29, 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 and honorable mention $25. To enter, visit https://www.chronicleonline.com/contests/.
• Poster Contest. Runs from January to February each year. 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 Waters Week theme of the year. Editorials available to the public between second/third week of September.