The Swamp for the Springs

More than 93,000 students, faculty, and staff make up the community at the University of Florida (UF) each year, and many of these community members learn about, visit, and recreate in the springs for the first time while at UF. The Swamp for the Springs was created to educate the UF community about Florida’s springs and inform them of the ways they can act to protect springs resources.

Goals of the Program

Why Florida springs are unique, beautiful, and a critical natural resource
How and why to enjoy the springs responsibly
Current threats to the health of our springs
Individual and collective-scale actions to protect the springs

Program Components

Digital content about the Florida springs through social media, the web, and e-newsletters
Stewardship program to train students to serve as springs ambassadors among their peers and promote springs-friendly behaviors
A series of events to educate the community and get them involved in springs protection
- Science on Tap focused on springs topics
- “Springs Break” outreach event to promote responsible recreation prior to UF’s student spring break
- Stewardship event in association with campus Earth Month and hosted in partnership with the Alachua Conservation Trust