By Paige Hughes
The Ichetucknee River is one of Florida’s most treasured natural features — a spring-fed waterway known for its clear waters, diverse wildlife, and popularity for recreation and ecotourism. Yet, like many of Florida’s springs, it faces ongoing issues with water quality and quantity due to nutrient pollution, groundwater overuse, and habitat decline.
The Ichetucknee Alliance (IA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2013 to protect and restore the river and the springs that feed it. Their work combines education, advocacy, and community engagement to ensure that the Ichetucknee remains healthy for generations to come.
For UF senior Maggie Duncan, joining the Ichetucknee Alliance was a natural fit. “I’m majoring in environmental science and have always had a passion for education and outreach,” she said.
Education is central to the mission of the Ichetucknee Alliance. One of its most impactful projects is Parknership, a program started by a science teacher at Fort White Middle School that connects students to the springs through labs and hands-on curriculum focused on Florida’s spring ecosystems.
“As the student board member, my role is to help run the social media platforms,” Duncan explained. “My biggest role is to organize Parknership, which is a program started by a science teacher at Fort White School. The program consists of labs focused on Florida springs. My role is to digitalize the curriculum to help promote it to other schools and educate students on the Florida springs and their importance.”
Working on this program has been especially meaningful for her. “My greatest accomplishment has been helping out with the Parknership program,” she said. “Working with teachers to educate others about the importance of protecting these beautiful springs has been so fulfilling.”
The Alliance also emphasizes communication with the people who live near and depend on the river. “IA measures the impact of its community efforts by using the social media platforms to reach a broader audience and receiving feedback from the audience,” Duncan said. “We will do tabling at Florida spring events, and we tend to get opinions from the community at these events.”
This emphasis on open conversation allows the Alliance to stay connected to the people most directly impacted by changes to the river.
“What makes Ichetucknee Alliance so unique is that it works directly with the community surrounding Ichetucknee,” she added. “The board members are always wanting the opinions of the people who are affected by negative impacts to the Ichetucknee.” Other environmental nonprofits can use IA as a model to build upon their own community impact.
Right now, the Ichetucknee Alliance is advocating for the creation of a Springs Protection Zone along the Ichetucknee River. The proposed designation would restrict large motorboats and jet skis from entering sensitive areas of the river where eelgrass and other submerged aquatic vegetation populations are at risk.
“We have worked to get evidence of eelgrass depletion due to these boats and jet skis. It has been difficult to get approval from the government for a springs protection zone because they are claiming we do not have enough evidence at the moment.”
She added, “A Springs Protection Zone is needed to protect the submerged aquatic vegetation and endangered species such as manatees.”
The Alliance welcomes anyone who wants to help protect the Ichetucknee. “You can become a member of IA on our website which just requires your email,” Duncan explained. “As a member, you will receive newsletters that contain updated information about the Ichetucknee. Members will also get notifications when there is policy action needed that could affect the river and spring.”
With programs like Parknership, local outreach events, and advocacy for the Springs Protection Zone, the Ichetucknee Alliance continues to work toward its mission of preserving one of Florida’s most iconic natural ecosystems.
“I have a great love for the uniqueness of the Florida springs,” Duncan said. “We are located so close to Ichetucknee Springs as students of UF, so I have loved going in my free time.”
For Duncan and for the Alliance, that connection between personal experience and environmental stewardship is what drives the ongoing effort to protect Florida’s springs. Future generations deserve a chance to immerse themselves in the same beautiful ecosystems we have today.
Photo credit: Linda Wilinski