FLORIDA SPRINGS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Five point strategy for building public awareness and civic engagement
GOAL: To improve and preserve the quality of our regional water resources:
aquifer, springs, rivers, estuaries, and coastlines

Key to the success of a sustainable economy for North Florida is the health and preservation of our waters, particularly the springs and the aquifer that feeds them. In order to fully meet the mission of the Florida’s Eden plan we are interested in working on practical projects that will address the needs of our water resources.
Please contact us if you are interested in being a part of this project. We are seeking:
• participation and partnership • information, ideas, feedback
• other relevant projects underway • contacts

“Springs are the singular blessing of the Florida landscape” –Archie Carr

1 WORLD SPRINGS HERITAGE DISTRICT
Florida hosts the largest concentration of springs in the world. To bring public awareness to this asset we need to recognize North Florida as a place which has been shaped by its aquifer, springs, rivers, wetlands, estuaries and coastlines. Declaring ourselves the World Springs Heritage District puts the significance of this resource at the center of our awareness.

2 WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Florida’s Eden is preparing to produce Welcome to the Neighborhood, a booklet to be distributed free to home buyers by realtors, builders, chambers and civic organizations. The booklet promotes pride in Florida’s unique environment and provides education on springs friendly products and practices, including ads by participating local businesses.

3 SUSTAINABLE WATER USE
Noted springs expert Jim Stevenson says, “The problem is the people of Florida have not decided they want their springs protected.” We support education, public forums, and media attention that will increase citizen knowledge of sustainable use of our water resources.

4 SPRINGS FRIENDLY PRODUCTS AND PRACTICES
We propose to work with IFAS/UF, the DEP, and Water Management Districts to develop a Springs Friendly products and practices designation. The designation will be available for use by businesses, product developers, builders, landscapers and retailers in order to provide consumers with springs friendly choices. The designation will be promoted in the media, in retail displays and in the Welcome to the Neighborhood booklet.

5 CELEBRATING THE REGION
A multi-year publicity campaign will promote our region as the World Springs Heritage District. Existing festivals and visitor opportunities will be combined with specific new events (e.g., international film festival, springs paint out) to create a regional celebration. Florida’s Eden will coordinate these multiple efforts and produce a comprehensive calendar and guide. Folk, music, and art festivals, writers conferences, culinary events, museum exhibits, and special recreational and educational opportunities will draw worldwide attention to the unique qualities of our waterways, ecosystems, and cultural offerings.