Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
October 31, 2025 - Witch Paddle at Wekiva Island
(A Florida Springs Council Event)
FSC is teaming up with Wekiva Island and Paddleboard Orlando for a Halloween Paddle. We'll be launching from Wekiva Island at 10 AM and encourage people to dress up in costume. You can secure paddle rentals and find more information here: https://wekivaisland.com/event/wekiva-witches-warlocks-halloween-paddle/ The flyer is attached. FSC will then be tabling at Wekiva Island from around 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. We encourage springs advocates to come hang out with our team at Wekiva Island that evening, even if they can't make it to the paddle in the morning!
November 5, 2025 - FOWR's Wekiva Wellness: Letting Go During the Beaver Moon
Time: 6:30 PM- approx. 7:30
Location: Katie's Landing at Wekiva River, 262 Wekiva Park Drive, Sanford, FL 32771
Cost: $15.00 per person and $3.00 to park at Katie’s Landing (please bring $3 cash day of)
What to Bring: Yoga Mat or Chair and Water
Join the Friends of the Wekiva River as we host certified sound healer, Shin’nai, as we discover the healing power of sound through meditation. Let go of that which is weighing you down during this Beaver Moon, and rediscover your inner peace through the therapeutic benefits of sound.
Space is limited to 15 people, so reserve your spot today! Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and connection with the living world around you!
November 6, 2025 - Ryan Smart is the keynote speaker for the Florida Water Environment Association's Wastewater Process Seminar in New Smyrna Beach
(A Florida Springs Council Event)
This will be a great and informative event, diving into technical wastewater issues. See the attached flyer for more information and ticket prices for the public.
November 7, 2025 Reunite the Rivers Gathering
(A Florida Springs Council Event)
Join us at Azalea City Brewing Co. in Palatka to show support for Ocklawaha River restoration and breaching the Rodman Dam. The event will be from 5 - 8 p.m. with a film screening of the "Lost Springs" documentary at 6:30 p.m.
December 20, 2025 - Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count
For more than 35 years, the Friends of the Wekiva River have led a section of the Audubon count centered around the Wekiva River. The Audubon CBC has been held annually for 125 years, and we are pleased to provide data from birds observed across the basin. This one-day event allows birders of all levels to work together in groups covering areas like Seminole State Forest, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, and the Lower Wekiva River State Preserve. You will bird with a team and a leader who is familiar with the area. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Jay Exum at jay.h.exum@gmail.com.
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