March 14 – 21, 2009
The Southwest Florida Water Management District, together with Citrus and Marion counties and the cities of Crystal River and Dunnellon, will proclaim March 14-21 as the first Springs Awareness Week.
Here is a list of events taking place during Springs Awareness Week. These events are aimed at raising awareness about the health of the local springs and what people can do to protect them.
Nitrate pollution from overusing fertilizers is one reason the quality of our springs is declining. Everyone who lives, works and plays in west-central Florida can take these simple steps to help protect our springs:
- Don’t fertilize before a heavy rain.
- Sweep up any fertilizer spilled on paved areas or any excess on the lawn and place it back in the fertilizer bag.
- Use only slow-release fertilizer.
- Leave a 10-foot no-pesticide, no-fertilizer zone around water bodies.
- Hire only certified landscape professionals.
The municipalities will officially sign a proclamation naming Springs Awareness Week on the following dates:
March 3 – Marion County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
March 9 – City of Crystal River and City of Dunnellon
March 10 – Citrus County BOCC
Citrus County events
March 14
Citrus County master gardener volunteers will have a free “Ask an expert” booth at the Inverness Wal-Mart on Saturday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. As part of the Citrus County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program, the master gardeners will be available to answer your questions about drought-tolerant plants, yard pests and fertilizer. The event is at the Wal-Mart at 2461 E. Gulf to Lakes Hwy.
March 17
The UF/IFAS Citrus County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program will host a free turf care class on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. The FYN coordinator will present information on turf care and how to fertilize appropriately. Space is limited. Please call Chris Nowak at (352) 527-5700 to reserve your space. This class is being held at the UF/IFAS Citrus County Extension office, 3650 W. Sovereign Path, Suite 1, Lecanto.
March 18
The UF/IFAS Citrus County Extension will host a free “Introduction to Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Tour” on Wednesday at 2 p.m. The class will cover the basics of transforming your yard into a Florida-friendly landscape and will include a guided tour of a learning landscape. Space is limited. Please call Chris Nowak at (352) 527-5700 to reserve your space. This class is being held at the UF/IFAS Citrus County Extension office, 3650 W. Sovereign Path, Suite 1, Lecanto.
March 20
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is hosting a free tour of the Crystal River/Kings Bay springshed on Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The tour includes a bus ride to Dames Caves and a boat ride through Crystal River/Kings Bay. Space is limited. R.S.V.P. to Toi Basso at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4756. Participants are asked to wear walking shoes and bring a brown bag lunch.
March 21
Citrus County master gardener volunteers will have a free “Ask an expert” booth at the Crystal River Home Depot on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. As part of the Citrus County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program, the master gardeners will be available to answer your questions about drought-tolerant plants, yard pests and fertilizer. The Home Depot is located at 70 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River.
Marion County Events
March 14 –15
15th Annual Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival — Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. This annual event features free seminars, education booths and a master gardener question and answer booth. More than 60 plant-related vendors will also be at the event. On Sunday at 1 p.m. Robert L. Knight, Ph.D., president of Wetlands Solutions Inc., will discuss the impacts of nitrates on local springs. Adult admission to the festival is $1; kids 12 and under are free. The festival is being held at the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension office, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, next to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion.
March 16
The Dunnellon Library will host a free presentation by the Marion County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program on Monday at 4 p.m. The FYN presentation will show how to transform your yard into a beautiful oasis that will not only conserve precious water resources and reduce pollution, but will also save time, energy and money. Spaces are limited. Please call Cindy at (352) 671-8400 to reserve your space. The library is located at 20804 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon.
March 19
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is hosting a free tour of the Rainbow River springshed on Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The tour includes a bus ride through the springshed and a boat ride on the Rainbow River. Space is limited. R.S.V.P. to Toi Basso at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4756. Participants are asked to wear walking shoes and bring a brown bag lunch.
March 21
The Rainbow Springs State Park Festival is Saturday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Come make a splash while broadening your springs awareness. This event will feature a plant/yard sale, canoe and snorkel tours, hikes, expert speakers and music. Festival attendees will also learn about proper fertilizing techniques to help protect our springs. Admission is $1. Rainbow Springs State Park is located on Hwy. 41, one mile south of S.R. 40 at 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon. For more information, please call (352) 465-8539.
March 26
Best Management Practices for Fertilizer Ordinance Certification Class — Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Participants will be certified in Green Industries Best Management Practices, a program required for all commercial firms applying fertilizer to residential lawns in Marion County. The program will review principles of landscape and turfgrass management. Registration is $25 and includes lunch and educational materials. Please R.S.V.P by calling (352) 671-8400. The class is being held at the Marion County Extension Service classroom, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala.