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Place-based Learning in the Great Outdoors

In this newsletter, we hear again from Ryan Smart about water policy and water politics, as well as an excellent piece on the potentiality of removing the Rodman Dam to free the Ocklawaha River by retired Rear Admiral William McQuilkin. We hope everyone is enjoying our return to some form of normalcy.

Photo: Paddle Florida staff representing at Bighorn Outdoor Specialists in Great Falls, MT.

2021-2022 Paddle Florida Season

Happy Paddler Exclusive

To better understand the scope of springs water quality problems and how effectively springs restoration funding is being used, the Florida Springs Council analyzed the 2021-2022 springs projects proposed for funding by Florida’s water management districts. Our report paints a bleak picture of the future of Florida’s most iconic springs. What we learned:

We can't spend our way out of Florida's water quality crisis. Our analysis finds that even if there are no new sources of pollution, at the current rate of nitrogen reduction (48,509 lbs/year) claimed for the 2021-2022 springs projects, it will take 217 years to achieve Outstanding Florida Springs water quality goals. If nitrogen loading increases by just 1% each year over the 20-year life of the Outstanding Florida Springs (OFS) Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) and 2021-2022 proposed reductions are maintained, OFS will be more polluted at the end of the BMAP process than they are today. 

To achieve OFS water quality goals requires aggressive action by the Florida Legislature to pass new laws which significantly reduce existing nitrogen loading and prevent new sources of pollution. It also requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to faithfully implement and enforce those laws. [Read more…]

Articles of Interest

I recently had the chance to visit Florida's historic Ocklawaha River and the controversial Rodman Dam (now called Kirkpatrick Dam) which was completed in 1968. The dam was originally constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal. While the construction of the canal was halted in 1971 by then-President Nixon due to environmental concerns, the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam remains in operation with deleterious effects upon this beautiful river. 

There are also concerns about the structural integrity of the aging dam. The timing just might be right to remove the Rodman Dam, a dam that no longer serves its intended purpose, while at the same time creating economic opportunity for the affected communities. 

It would also put an end to this long-standing and controversial issue, over 50 years running, for Florida. Most importantly, it would help Florida recover lost habitats and reduce fragmentation, allow submerged freshwater springs to flow freely once again, and restore pathways for Florida's migratory fish and wildlife. [Read more…]

Photo: Alan Youngblood, Star-Banner, File

The Earth is trapping nearly twice as much heat as it did in 2005, according to new research, described as an “unprecedented” increase amid the climate crisis.

Scientists from Nasa, the US space agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), reported in a new study that Earth’s “energy imbalance approximately doubled” from 2005 to 2019. The increase was described as “alarming”.

“Energy imbalance” refers to the difference between how much of the Sun’s “radiative energy” is absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere and surface, compared to how much “thermal infrared radiation” bounces back into space.

“A positive energy imbalance means the Earth system is gaining energy, causing the planet to heat up,” Nasa said in a statement about this study.

Scientists determined there was an energy imbalance by comparing data from satellite sensors – which track how much energy enters and exits Earth’s system – and data from ocean floats. [Read more…]

Photo: Mike Blake, Reuters

Biologists at Gulf Islands National Seashore have identified the first sea turtle nests of the 2021 season at the national park.

Two loggerhead nests were identified Thursday, one in the Fort Pickens Area and one in the Perdido Key Area, according to a news release from Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Several species of sea turtles make their nests at Gulf Islands, including loggerhead, Kemp's ridley and green sea turtles. During the 2020 nesting season, 59 nests were discovered. [Read more…]

Photo: Gulf Islands National Seashore

How To: Linking Strokes in Kayaking

This is a favorite topic of mine, linking strokes, maneuvers, motions. Things that will help move the kayak, keep it in motion, change directions, and maybe minimize effort to do it. [Learn more…]

Click here for video.

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