THE WEKIVA-OCALA GREENWAY
A Unity of Water and Earth
by Keith Schue
Renowned author and environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas
described Florida’s springs as “bowls of liquid light.” As if summoned
from the earth by supernatural force, more than a dozen of these flowing
beacons give life to one of Florida’s most treasured natural resources.
Peering down into the cavernous spring boil at its source or gliding by
canoe around its serpentine bends, one becomes immersed in a
primordial serenity that the Wekiva River must have evoked in the
Timucua people.
Seminole Creek. Blackwater Creek, named for its darker tannic color,
flows from Lake Norris and merges with the Wekiva near its confluence
with the St Johns River. The entire basin occupies portions of Seminole,
Lake, and Orange counties and is part of a greater ecological corridor
extending north to the Ocala National Forest in Marion County. Reaching
from Lake George on the St Johns River to Silver Springs east of the
Oklawaha, the forest encompasses half a million acres of
woods and wetlands under federal management. Less than
ten miles northwest of Orlando, the Wekiva-Ocala
Greenway boasts dozens of natural springs, the
greatest expanse of sand pine scrub in the world,
and the largest black bear population in Florida.
Except for the absence of the towering cypress
that adorned its banks until their extraction in the
last century, the Wekiva appears much as it did
in those ancient times. The river system is
filled with life, from unique species of tiny
snails and crustaceans, found only within a
few meters of individual spring vents, to the
Florida Black Bear that roams miles of swampy
wetlands and woods of the Wekiva River basin and
Ocala National Forest. Paddling its waters, a visitor is
likely to encounter a convoy of turtles basking on a fallen
tree, a Great Blue Heron floating overhead, or perhaps an
alligator patrolling the river. Hiking through the state park or national
forest, do not be surprised to see white-tailed deer, a cordial family of
Florida Scrub Jays, or a Great Horned Owl taking quiet note of your
presence. If lucky, you might even spot a female black bear with a couple
of cubs in tow.
Persistence of the river basin as a regional
resource can be credited largely to the work of one
local environmental organization—The Friends of the
Wekiva River. Founded in 1982, the grassroots group
successfully pushed in its early days to halt the
discharge of waste into the Little Wekiva and lobbied for designation of
the river system as an Outstanding Florida Water. Having earned the
respect of lawmakers, in 1988 the “Friends” spearheaded passage of the
Wekiva River Protection Act, landmark legislation requiring adoption of
provisions to safeguard wildlife and habitat, wetlands, and rural character
within a 180 square mile Protection Area. A decade later the Wekiva was
officially dedicated as a federal Wild and Scenic River.
Derived from Seminole words meaning “flowing water,” the Wekiva begins
its meandering journey at Wekiwa Springs State Park. There it is joined by
the spring-fed waters of Rock Springs Run, the Little Wekiva River, and
The Ocala National Forest owes its existence to America’s great
conservationist, President Theodore Roosevelt. One hundred years ago,
Roosevelt dedicated an impressive swath of scrub and sand pine within
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A History of Advocacy
Naturally Central Florida
the heart of Florida to
federal management,
creating the oldest national
forest east of the
Mississippi. Since then,
the Ocala National Forest
has grown to encompass
450 square miles of
the peninsula.
Over the last two decades, a
principle objective of state
land acquisition efforts has
been to establish a
permanent ecological link
between the national forest
and Wekiva basin. Through
the Preservation 2000 and
Florida Forever programs,
the Division of State Lands
and St Johns River Water
Management District, in
cooperation with local
© Keith Schue
partners, have succeeded in
bringing thousands of acres within the Wekiva-Ocala project area into
public conservation.
have scarred places that were once home to an abundance of native
plants and animals, eviscerating habitat, fragmenting wildlife populations
and putting a growing burden on our water resources
One of the problems in caring for the Wekiva has been a lack of attention
to the origin of its waters. We now know that the river’s journey does not
begin at a spring vent. Indeed, a natural spring is actually the end of a
long mysterious migration of rainwater through an underground labyrinth
of porous limestone. Using computer models, hydrologists have
discovered that the capture zone, or “spring shed,” of the Wekiva system
actually extends far beyond boundaries of the 1988 protection area. Sadly,
as the region develops, natural sandhill and scrub communities that once
conveyed water readily to the aquifer are being replaced by concrete and
asphalt. Together with the fact that many millions of gallons of water are
pumped daily from our aquifer to satisfy a burgeoning human population,
it is little surprise that the springs today are in decline. What’s more, the
river system reveals dangerous concentrations of nitrogen from fertilizers
A Resource at Risk
Given its impressive history, one might assume that this incredible
ecosystem would be safe from harm. But today the river system and
diversity of life that comprise the Wekiva-Ocala Greenway are under
greater stress than at any time in the past. Despite the intent of prior
legislation, urban encroachment continues to chip away at natural habitat
and growing levels of traffic on roads that bisect the ecological corridor
are taking a toll on black bear and other wildlife. Housing subdivisions
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© Florida State Parks
Wekiwa Springs State Park
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and organic waste—the result of countless chemically manicured lawns
and septic tanks scattered across the region.
At risk is an irreplaceable part of Florida’s history and the work of a
generation committed to ensuring that it would not be the last to
experience this spring-fed natural wonder. Although the state has begun
to piece together fragile corridors of connectivity between the Wekiva
system and national forest critical missing pieces remain in today’s jigsaw
puzzle of conservation lands. If protected lands within the basin are
fragmented by sprawl and the sacred springs wither away, then the value
of this tremendous public investment will be lost. At risk too is a resource
once thought to be in inexhaustible — our supply of affordable clean
drinking water.
New Hope
Although efforts to protect the greater Wekiva-Ocala system have
languished in the past, today there is cause for renewed hope. In 2004, a
task force comprised of elected officials, state agencies, developers, and
environmentalists crafted the template for new legislation intended to
unite two seemingly
divergent purposes—
building a beltway around
Orlando and protecting
the environment. That
celebrated plan, which
calls for construction of
an ecologicallyengineered Wekiva
Parkway coupled with
the purchase of
thousands of surrounding
acres for preservation,
represents one last great
chance to save the
southern stretch of the
Wekiva-Ocala Greenway.
Similarly, farther north
transportation planners
and environmentalists today are discussing means of reducing wildlife
mortality while enhancing recreational access within the Ocala National
Forest. But the fates of these noble efforts are far from certain. With
strong leadership and public support, we have a golden opportunity to
showcase all that is possible when diverse interests work together with a
genuine conservation ethic and a commitment to innovation. Ultimately,
the success or failure of today’s work will stand as testimony to the value
we place on Central Florida and the inheritance of future generations.
The Wekiva-Ocala system today is at a critical juncture. Failing to heed
nature’s warning signs, this treasure of immeasurable value will be lost
forever. If, however, we embrace the unique challenges facing this
resource, the wondrous springs and splendor of life surrounding them
may yet endure — a lasting legacy to a people who cared enough to act.
© Keith Schue
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EXPERIENCE THE WEKIVA-OCALA GREENWAY
• The pristine waters of the Wekiva River, Rock Springs Run, and Blackwater Creek
are all navigable by canoe or kayak. If you don’t have your own vessel, rent one from an
outfitter at Wekiwa Springs State Park, the Wekiva Marina, or King’s Landing.
Alexander Creek, Juniper Creek, and Salt Springs all provide excellent canoe runs
within the Ocala National Forest.
• Some of the many places to swim and enjoy area springs are at Wekiwa Springs State
Park, Kelly Park in Apopka (great for tubing), and Alexander Springs in the
Ocala Forest. To learn more about Florida’s springs, check out www.floridasprings.com.
• Convenient to the metro area, Wekiwa Springs State Park, Lower Wekiva River
Preserve, and Rock Springs Run State Reserve offer great opportunities to
experience nature first-hand. Wekiwa Springs provides overnight family camping facilities
as well as primitive sites for those who would rather “rough-it.” A little farther north, the
Ocala Forest offers campgrounds, primitive sites, or “on-your-own” tent camping for the
true adventurer.
• Just west of Sanford, Seminole State Forest in Lake County offers a great escape into
the wilderness. With over 21 miles of hiking trails and 23 miles of horse trails, the 12,000
acre forest provides a great get-away for the serious hiker or casual visitor. Blackwater
Creek meanders through the forest beneath yawning oaks, but bring your own canoe or
kayak. Gasoline motors are prohibited on this undisturbed blackwater stream.
• The Florida National Scenic Trail www.florida-trail.org runs through the center of
the Wekiva-Ocala corridor, from Seminole to Marion County. Whether you prefer short
walks, long hikes, or horseback riding, there are trails for everyone.
• For more information about how you can enjoy and help protect the Wekiva, visit the
Friends of the Wekiva River website at www.friendsofwekiva.org. To learn more about
the Ocala National Forest, go to www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida and click on “Ocala.”
Keith Schue is the Ocala-Wekiva Conservation Project
Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy and serves on the
Board of Directors of Friends of the Wekiva River. Active on
conservation and growth management issues, he most recently
supported passage of the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act
and has helped to create a conceptual plan for transportation
improvements within the Ocala National Forest. Mr. Schue holds
a Masters Degree in Engineering from the University of
Virginia and has lived in Lake County for over twelve years.
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