This opportunity is curated through the UF TESI Environmental Leaders Network. Opportunities posted through the Network may not be affiliated with the Florida Museum or TESI, but are shared with UF undergraduate students who want to learn more about environmental research, education and outreach, and civic engagement.
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Description
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, we have 11 active SpringsWatch groups across Florida at Homosassa, Ichetucknee, Jackson Blue, Kings Bay, Ponce de Leon, Rainbow, Santa Fe, Silver, Wakulla, Weeki Wachee, and Wekiva Springs. During SpringsWatch sessions, volunteers and FSI staff collect data on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, vertical light attenuation, water clarity via horizontal Secchi disk measurements, 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. Volunteers can sign up to assist the group(s) nearest them and participate in monitoring sessions once or as many times as they wish.