Events

Field Trips

Friends of the Wekiva River’s
30th Anniversary

FEBRUARY 12 Field Trip

Rock Cub Springs, one of the more remote springs in the Wekiva River system, flows out of the base of "Sulphur Island" around a limestone boulder shaped like a bear cub.
A free walking tour to three of the most remote springs in the Wekiva River system will take place Sunday morning, Feb. 12, starting at 9 a.m.
The tour, hosted by the Friends of the Wekiva River (FOWR), will begin in the parking lot at the southern entrance to the Seminole State Forest on S.R. 46 just west of the Wekiva River. (Although the guided tour is free, there is a nominal fee to use the Forest.)
This tour to the "hidden springs" reprises the most popular field trip the FOWR led last year in an effort to introduce area residents to the ecological values of the larger Wekiva river system. There are several hiking routes available and participants can chose the ones they wish to make based on their own skill levels.
The three springs that are not on trails include "Rock Cub", "Sweetgum", and "Helene". A fourth spring, "Shark's Tooth", is marked on a trail in that general area and will also be included as an option for those who have not seen it.
All of the springs are found near the base of the ancient paleo-dune and shoal known as "Sulphur Island". The island, one of the earliest parts of Florida to arise from the sea millions of years ago, has also been colonized by the plants and animals special to the rare natural system known as the "Florida scrub."
As a classic upland with porous sands, the "scrub" is representative of those areas in Florida where our fresh water springs are recharged by rainfall.
The Wekiva, fed by over 34 springs, includes 42 miles of river and creek that are federally designated as a "Wild and Scenic River". This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Friends of the Wekiva. Other events are being planned this year to help draw attention to the uniqueness of the Wekiva basin. Some 110 square miles of land here is protected publicly as parks, state forests, and preserves.
For questions about the excursion, contact Steve Phelan at sphelan@rollins.edu.