2021

Riverkeeper Recap: Looking Back at 2021

by Rebecca Vecera | Dec 16, 2021 | Nutrients

Much like 2020, this has been a year full of uncertainty and marked with the necessity for flexibility. St. Johns RIVERKEEPER has pivoted to successfully offer even more outdoor programming as well as virtual learning opportunities for children and adults. We were...

Up Close and Personal: Tour the Ocklawaha

by Rebecca Vecera | Dec 16, 2021 | Nutrients

You may be aware that the The Ocklawaha River is the largest tributary of the St. Johns River, and that the health of both Rivers is affected when one is impacted. If you have followed our advocacy efforts, you’ve likely been a part of the discussion regarding the...

Survey Results Demonstrate Strong Support for Ocklawaha River Restoration

by Rebecca Vecera | Nov 11, 2021 | Community, Habitat Loss and Degradation, Our River

Survey results are in: the recent survey conducted by St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) received overwhelming support for breaching the Kirkpatrick Dam (aka Rodman Dam) and restoring the Ocklawaha River. A professional data analyst was enlisted to...

SJRK Seeks Education Director

by Rebecca Vecera | Nov 8, 2021 | River Voices

We have a bittersweet announcement about one of our beloved staff members. Emily Floore, education director for St. Johns Riverkeeper, has accepted the position of executive director for St. Marys Riverkeeper! While we are sad to see her leave our watershed, we are...

2021 State of the River Report

by Rebecca Vecera | Oct 19, 2021 | Habitat Loss and Degradation, Nutrients, Our River, Pollutants, Wetland Impacts

The 14th annual State of the River Report for the Lower St. Johns River Basin provides significant reason for concern, while also providing a few glimpses of hope that some river health indicators may be improving. Funded by the Jacksonville Environmental Protection...

Algae Blooms: What You Need to Know

by Rebecca Vecera | Oct 4, 2021 | Bacteria, Nutrients, Our River

We are receiving numerous reports of algae blooms on the St. Johns River from the Jetties in Duval to Crescent Lake in Putnam/Flagler. Here’s what you need to know: What is an algae bloom? Blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, are tiny organisms naturally...

Urgent Action Alert for the Ocklawaha

by Rebecca Vecera | Sep 23, 2021 | Community, Habitat Loss and Degradation, Our River, Public Access, River Friendly, River Voices, Wetland Impacts

a make or break action to reunite the rivers. We are at a critical juncture for the Ocklawaha River. St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) wants to hear your thoughts about the fate of the Rodman/ Kirkpatrick Dam. Now is the time we must take action to...

Citizens Call for Action After Toxic Coal Ash Spill

by Rebecca Vecera | Aug 25, 2021 | Community, Our River, Pollutants

St. Johns RIVERKEEPER, the Northeast Florida Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation’s First Coast Chapter have serious concerns about the potential risks posed to our beaches, the St. Johns River, and our residents from toxic coal ash that is being transported through...

Toxins from Algae Blooms in River Raise Concerns

by Jimmy Orth | Aug 10, 2021 | Nutrients

Recently, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) issued a Health Alert due to the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins, or cyanotoxins, in the St. Johns River. The FDOH issued the alert based on a water sample taken from the St. Johns River near Mandarin Point...

Construction Runoff Damages Wetlands and Creek

by Jimmy Orth | Jul 23, 2021 | Habitat Loss and Degradation, Wetland Impacts

Recently, a contractor was caught in the act discharging muddy water into adjacent wetlands protected by a conservation easement and Pottsburg Creek thanks to the watchful eye of Grove Park residents. Neighbors feared for several weeks that the dirt excavation...