Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday, April 6, 2025 - Wekiwa Springs Love Fest
Time: 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Location: Wekiwa Springs State Park, 1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka, FL 32712
What to expect: Come join the Central Florida Sierra Club and FOWR as we stand up for our state parks and the great outdoors. We are gathering because there are currently two bills moving through the legislative process, CS/SB 80 and HB 209, but as currently written/amended, these bills cannot prevent the development threats we fought last year. So it is time to act together again to provide the bill sponsors/co-sponsors the political nudge they need to take the steps required to amend their bills to actually protect our parks.
We have space in the Live Oak Pavilion for our supporters and will be showing our love for the parks with signs and letter signing to our representatives. We hope to see you there!
Bring: Water bottle, snacks to share (if desired), appropriate footwear, a sign with why you love the parks!
Carpool: We recommend parking nearby and encourage carpooling to increase the amount of people who can come. Parking will be limited at the Springs!
Note: Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.
Cancellation Policy: Activity is held rain or shine, but may be altered due to inclement weather
Wekiva Wellness
Vision: Wekiva Wellness, a proud branch of the Friends of the Wekiva River, is
dedicated to fostering the health and well-being of individuals and communities
by promoting a harmonious connection with the natural environment of the
Wekiva River basin. Through education, advocacy, and wellness initiatives, we
empower individuals to nurture both personal health and the preservation of this
vital ecosystem.
Mission: To inspire sustainable practices, enhance mental and physical wellness,
and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the beauty and biodiversity of the Wekiva
River. Together, we strive to ensure a thriving environment and a healthier future
for generations to come.
Save the dates:
April 19 - Kokedama with LeAnne Boyd, $20 pp (More details coming soon!)
September 13 - Body Stretching, $15 pp
October - Holistic Plant Medicine with Nicole Ouellette, $15 pp
November - Soundbathing with Shinnai , $15 pp
Proceeds cover the cost of facilitators, materials and help fund future Wekiva Wellness Events. We’ll post more details soon!
Wekiwa Springs Watch
The 3rd Thursday of each month
Time: 8:30 AM- approx. 11:30
Location: Wekiva Island, 1014 Miami Springs Dr., Longwood, FL
Thank you, Wekiva Island, for donating canoes for this activity!
BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST AND HELP MONITOR OUR SPRINGS! SpringsWatch is a citizen science program that provides volunteers with hands-on training in the field. That “field” is Florida’s beautiful springs! Volunteers learn all aspects of water quality monitoring and get to know the wildlife and plants that depend on springs systems. This fun and educational day on the water also contributes to our springs knowledge database as well as that of other environmental agencies across the state.
Currently, the Florida Springs Institute has 11 active SpringsWatch groups across Florida, including Wekiwa Springs. During SpringsWatch sessions, volunteers collect data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, aquatic vegetation, wildlife, and human uses.
SpringsWatch is a great way to get out to the springs, learn, and help generate data that supports them. Email michelle@friendsofwekiva.org if you’d like to join!
Scenes from several Springswatch paddles. Images by Michelle Jamesson and other Springswatch volunteers