|
We are concerned about the abuse and overuse of our coastal rivers and wetlands, which is why this
group was organized. As a feeder to the Homosassa and then to the Gulf, the Halls River is definitely
on our radar. We were successful in ending a proposed zoning change on the northwest side of the
Halls River bridge via lawsuits five years ago.
Our tax-deductible membership dues are $5/per person or $10 for a family per calendar year.
Membership will put you on our mailing list for notices of meetings, sub-committee concerns, special
events and for the newsletter, Voice of the River, which comes out three times a year. The majority
of our work is educational and we do the necessary research to be well informed.
Our regular projects include:
Education - an all-day training tour of the Homosassa River for the third grade students in
Homosassa Elementary School.
Conservation - monthly water testing in the Bluebird Springs and in the headwaters of the
Homosassa River as part of LakeWatch.
Community education - we were recently appointed to a three-year term on the Southwest Florida
Water Management Environmental advisory Board, which meets quarterly.
Monitoring - members attend conferences, classes and meetings to learn more about protecting the
springs, rivers and watersheds and report on their findings at our general meetings
Meetings - We meet in Homosassa monthly on the second Thursday at 7:00pm at the Homosassa Civic Club, except July and August
Community education - we are working towards having the Homosassa basin area designated as part
of the National Estuary Program, which would give our area greater protection and more federal
assistance in controling harmful impacts of human activities
Monitoring/education - we monitor county and state political actions on matters of interest to
our purpose and speak for or against proposals which are under discussion at each level
Partnerships - we work with Citrus 20/20 on Save Our Waters Week developing and participate in
events. We work cooperatively with Citrus County Council on environmental matters and provide judges
and cash prizes for the annual student Science fair
Education - we have donated scientific equipment to the Homosassa Elementary School, the
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and to the Academy of Environmental Science
Fund raising - through a joint venture with the Civic Club by selling raffle tickets for the
grand prizes of the Homosassa Arts, Crafts & Seafood Festival each November
We have planted and monitored mangrove seedlings at the end of the Homosassa River, using a SWFMD grant
|
