Celebrate National Water Quality Month

Wakulla Water

National Water Quality Month offers a chance to reflect on Florida’s waterways  

Have you ever wondered why Florida has so many lakes, springs and sinkholes? Much of Florida is “karst” terrain, a landscape resting on a water-soluble rock layer full of holes, caves and underground rivers. Our state’s geology doesn’t just provide important habitat and recreation opportunities, it also provides invitations to dig deeper into fascinating stories: 

  • At Anastasia State Park, Spanish settlers quarried coquina, a stone made of naturally cemented fossil shell fragments, and used it to construct the massive Castillo de San Marcos. 
  • You can stand inside a fossilized coral reef, a segment of Florida’s ecology frozen in time, at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
  • The fossil remains of mammoths, mastodons, giant sloths, camels, bison and saber-tooth tigers have all been found both in waters of Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and in the Wakulla River. 

And the stories are still unfolding as water continues to flow through our state. 

Mangroves in Florida  

Humble mangrove trees quietly write the book every day. They play such a key role in keeping our water clean that they are protected by law. Their benefits to the environment include:  

  • Protecting coastlines.  
  • Serving as nesting areas.  
  • Providing habitats for fish.  
  • Improving the quality of coastal waters.  

There are three variations of mangrove trees that are native to Florida: red, white and black. Non-native mangroves found in Florida include the large leaf mangrove and Asian black mangrove.  

To witness the contribution of mangroves up close, visit an area such as Curry Hammock State Park. Pilot your kayak or paddleboard along a natural shoreline and see a variety of wildlife hiding in the mangroves or in the clear shallow waters. Another way to experience these unique plants is to paddle through a mangrove tunnel at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. These aquatic trails are lined with mangroves and are shaded by their leaves.  

Mangrove Trees

Water Bottle Refilling Stations  

And you can help write the story too! We love our state’s gem-like waters. One of the easiest ways you can help keep them sparkling is to utilize the water bottle refilling stations provided by Duke Energy Florida in conjunction with the Florida State Parks Foundation and Florida State Parks. By reducing waste and refilling your water bottle, you can help protect our delicate aquatic ecosystems.  

Florida is synonymous with clean, beautiful water. Whether it’s a beach, river, lake or stream, you can experience the top-notch natural waters at many of Florida’s state parks.  

 

Park ranger using refill station