Tour Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013 "SAVING WAKULLA SPRINGS"

Tour Date:  Saturday, May 18
8:00 am - Noon
Car caravan/hiking tour departs from the TCC parking lot closest to Pensacola Street/Appleyard Drive

Follow the amazing underground journey of precious ”blue gold” southward from Tallahassee to the mother lode of Wakulla Springs. Join Jim Stevenson, expert biologist, on our fascinating tour of the Wakulla Spring Basin which examines the sources and traces the water journey to the world famous Wakulla Springs. See the actual sinkholes hidden away in the woods where exploration cave divers enter the longest and deepest underwater cave system in the world. Learn how this incredible connection of caves conducts groundwater through the Floridan Aquifer from Leon County south to Wakulla Spring. Learn what you can do to help save our precious Wakulla Springs!

There are nine stopping sites of interest en route to Wakulla Springs including lakes, sinkholes and the wastewater treatment plant. We will observe land use activities that affect the quantity and quality of the water flowing to the spring and hear about steps taken during the past 19 years to protect the precious Wakulla Springs. Experience the scenic basin area of Wakulla Springs and observe protection strategies against the enjoyable backdrop of local vegetation and wildlife. Jim will share his remarkable knowledge of education, stormwater management, wastewater management, land acquisition, land use planning, research, monitoring, and best management practices.

"SAVING WAKULLA SPRINGS" is a car caravan/hiking tour. Tour departs from the TCC campus parking lot closest to the intersection of Pensacola Street and Appleyard Drive at 8:00 a.m. and ends at the tower overlooking the spring at 12:00 noon. Each tour is limited to 20 participants and carpools are strongly encouraged. (Some of the visit sites have very limited parking). When registering for the tour, please indicate the number of tour participants riding in your vehicle and if you will be returning to Tallahassee immediately after the tour. Tours will be held each third Saturday on a monthly basis (except April - 4th Saturday).

Tour covers the entrance fee to Wakulla Springs State Park. Additional options include lunch in the Lodge and a boat tour to observe the wildlife and ecology of the river. Over 60% of your tour fee will be contributed to the *Wakulla Springs Alliance and the **Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park, two groups working toward protection of the spring.

If you want to learn why the Floridan aquifer is considered “blue gold” and understand better the journey of water travel and its vital importance to you, "SAVING WAKULLA SPRINGS" is the ideal tour! $18 per person.

A NOTE ABOUT OUR TOUR LEADER: Jim Stevenson was the chief naturalist of Florida’s state parks for 20 years, the former coordinator of the Wakulla Springs Basin Working Group, and former chairman of the Florida Springs Task Force.

*Wakulla Springs Alliance strives to restore and protect the water quality and spring flow of Wakulla Springs to its former health. The Alliance promotes scientific research, public education and encourages our local government officials to do more to protect the spring. **Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park works to conserve, protect, restore and enhance the natural, historical, cultural and recreational resources of Wakulla Springs State Park for present and future generations.

For additional questions or assistance with your tour registration, please call 850-926-3376.

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