Activities for Save Our Waters Week, Sept. 21-28, Citrus County, FL
Keep Citrus County Beautiful
Citrus County Florida's 29th-annual Save Our Waters Week (SOWW), sponsored by Keep Citrus County Beautiful, Inc., will be held during September 21-28, 2024, with the theme, “TREE UP to Save our Waters.” The week, which promotes public appreciation and awareness of saving our irreplaceable waters, features activities, most of which are offered free to the public or for a suggested donation.FEATURED ACTIVITIES
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024,
Sunrise to 11:30 am
35th-annual Lakes, Rivers and Coastal Cleanup
Groups and organizations are encouraged to volunteer. Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Download an application at kccbinc.org/documents/Coastal%20Cleanup%20application.pdf
or email tracey.ivkovic@citrusbocc.com for an application.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024,
3:00 - 5:00 pm - Free
Presentation by Dr. Steve Noll, master lecturer at the University of Florida at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, located at 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, Florida. This presentation will chronicle Florida’s long and difficult relationship with water. Call 352-341-6428 to register. Sponsored in part by the Inverness Cultural Heritage Council and Keep Citrus County Beautiful.
Monday, Sept. 23, 2024,
9:30 - 11:30 am tour and 11:30 am - 1:30 pm tour - Free
Two-hour Tours of Kings Bay in Crystal River, Florida, sponsored by Birds Underwater Dive Center, located at 300 North U.S. Hwy. 19, Crystal River, Florida. Call 352-563-2763 to reserve a spot.
Monday, Sept. 23,
Tour 10:00 am to 12:00 pm - Free
Guided Kayak Tour of Three Sister Springs in Crystal River, Florida. Launch on a guided tour of Three Sisters Springs, while learning from Springs Team scientists about the water district's efforts to protect the area. Register to reserve your seat by Sept. 12, 2024 by calling 813-445-5220 or emailing Michele.Sager@WaterMatters.org.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024,
9:00 am - Free
Tour of the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility, located at 5040 W. Oak Park Blvd. (Sugarmill Woods), Homosassa, Florida. Join the Department of Water Resources for a tour of its recently upgraded and expanded facility. Learn how the facility uses advanced water treatment and reduces groundwater withdrawals. Registration is required by calling 352-527-7684 or sending an email to Debra.Burden@citrusbocc.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024,
10:00 am - Free
Outback Kayak Tour, sponsored by Hunter Springs Kayaks, located at 36 NE 4th Street, Crystal River, Florida. Call 352-228-4715 to register. The deadline to register is Sept. 13, 2024.
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024,
11:00 am - Cost $10 (will be refunded at the end of the tour)
Nature Cruise with Crystal River Watersports, located at 2380 N. Suncoast Blvd. (U.S. Hwy. 19), Crystal River, Florida, is offering a one-hour cruise down the Indian River/Canal to the Indian Mounds at Crystal River Archaeological State Park, located at 3400 N Museum Pt. in Crystal River. To register, call 352-795-7033. Please be sure you will attend the tour before making your reservation, as no cancellations or refunds will be made prior to the trip.
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024,
8:00 tour and 9:30 am tour - Free
Pontoon Boat Tour of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, located at 1502 SE Kings Bay Dr., Crystal River, Florida. Enjoy a staff-guided pontoon boat tour of the refuge islands in Kings Bay. Tours will depart from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. To register, send an email to brier_ryver@fws.gov.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024,
10:30 am tour and 1:30 pm tour - Free
Heritage Eco Boat Tour of Crystal River Preserve State Park, sponsored by Crystal River Preserve Adventures, located at 3266 N. Sailboat Ave., Crystal River, Florida. Experience an estuary boat tour on the Crystal River. Tours will depart from the Crystal River Preserve State Park. Call 855-613-2777 to register; advance registration is required.
Friday Sept. 27, 2024,
8:00 - 11:00 am - Cost $25 (if you rent a kayak) or $20 (if you bring your own kayak)
Come Paddle the Crystal River. Kayaks will launch from the Crystal River Preserve State Park Visitor Center, located at 3266 N. Sailboat Ave., Crystal River, Florida. Paddle with the staff from the Florida Public Archaeology Network, St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve, and Florida Park Service. Learn the natural history of the river. For more information, send an email to Nigel Rudolph at snrudolph@usf.edu. Pre-registration is required. If you need to reserve a kayak, register at eventbrite.com/e/903205872077?aff=oddtdtcreator. If you will bring your own kayak, register at eventbrite.com/e/903196253307?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Friday, Sept 27, 2024,
9:00 - 11:00 am - Cost is a suggested donation of $10
Citrus County Recycles Guided Bus Tour of three recycling facilities within Citrus County. Registration is required; space is limited. Call (352) 201-0149 before Sept. 23, 2024 for details and to reserve a seat.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024,
3:00 - 5:30 pm - Free
Tree Canopy Community Forum, presented at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, located at 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, Florida. Community experts and other topic related professionals will discuss the importance of tree canopy for smart growth in our community. The audience will have time to ask topic related questions. Register at 352-341-6428. Sponsored in part by the Inverness Cultural Heritage Council and Keep Citrus County Beautiful.
RELATED EVENTS HELD OUTSIDE of 'Save Our Waters Week'
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, 5:30 pm - Free
Local Middle Schools' Environmental Jeopardy Competition, to be held at the College of Central Florida, Citrus Campus, Conference Center, 3800 S. Lecanto Hwy., Lecanto, Florida. Local middle schools will compete in testing their environmental knowledge. The public is invited. Call (352) 613-6850 for additional information.
July through August (typically runs during this timeframe)
Photo Contest.
All Photos must have been taken witihin Citrus County during the past year. First place prize is $150, second place prize $75, third place prize $50. View details of the 2024 contest at chronicleonline.com/contests/backtoschool/2024/#/rounds/1/gallery.
Jan. 1, 2025 through Feb. 21, 2025
Poster Contest.
Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to create a poster that depicts a water-saving idea - in slogan form, drawing form, or both. Original artwork only. For details, send an email to Debra.Burden at citrusbocc.com or call 352-527-7684.