The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board Cheryl Paradis as one of this year's springs community partners, while declaring April Springs Protection Awareness Month.
Paradis has served as the director and lead teacher at the Springs Coast Environmental Education Center on the Weeki Wachee River since 2008. Each year, she passionately educates approximately 8,000 Hernando County students, teachers and families about Weeki Wachee Springs and how to protect the springshed.
In support of the Florida Legislature's adopted resolution declaring April 2018 as Springs Protection Awareness Month, the Governing Board also emphasized that springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state. The District, in partnership with various stakeholders, is committed to implementing projects to conserve and restore the ecological balance of our spring systems, supporting the regional economies and quality of life.
There are more than 150 documented springs throughout the 16-county District, with five first-magnitude spring groups that collectively discharge more than one billion gallons of water per day.
You can find more information about springs on our website at WaterMatters.org/Springs.
