The FOWR will launch the inaugural field trip of the season on Sept. 4, a Saturday, at 9 a.m. The outing will be a paddle from Kings Landing down the clear and spring-fed Rock Springs Run downstream to the Wekiva Island Marina on the big Wekiva. The estimated time of the paddle is four hours.

As with our other field trips, this one will be themed to a certain subject, and in this case, the subject will be the historic use of Rock Springs and its run by Native Americans and early settlers to the region. Paddlers will gather about half way through the trip at an Indian Mount where they can enjoy lunch (bring your own) while listening to historian Jim Robison explain the historic perspective of Rock Springs Run. Jim co-authored the new photo-history book "Along the Wekiva", and is a former Orlando Sentinel writer who penned a regular column there about local history.

Reservations/RSVP is mandatory and space is limited. Call Katie at 407-862-5432 for more information and to save your space. It is recommended you pack bug spray, sunscreen, plenty of water, and snacks for lunch.

Outings such as this will be run every month on the first Saturday and at 9 a.m. unless otherwise specified.

FOWR monthly Board meetings are on the first Thursday of each month. The public is invited. The next meeting is on Thursday, September 2nd at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Longwood at 505 Markham Woods Road. Refreshments will be served at 6:00 and the meeting starts at 6:15.

Upcoming Field Trips

The Friends of the Wekiva River are planning a busy and active schedule of field trips for the coming year, beginning in September. We'll alternate with a hike and a paddle every month, and will theme each outing to a certain feature of the Wekiva Basin---botany, archaeology, hydrology (as in new springs), and so on. We'll be posting advance information on the trips as they become finalized, so please check back later this summer. The outings are open to the public and most will take place in the morning on the first Saturday of every month. We invite you to join us in celebrating the beauty and mysteries of our very special Wekiva River.

Naturally Central Florida- The Wekiva River

This was filmed in 2008 but is still a wonderful, enlightening piece that focuses on seven critical natural habitats within the Wekiva River basin.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp_6WPjXiUo

FOWR has learned that internationally known cave diving explorer, photographer and filmmaker Wes Skiles has tragically died during an underwater photo shoot in Palm Beach. We was an ardent conservationist who used his underwater skills to help us all understand the complexities of our Florida springs and aquifer. Wes was our banquet speaker three years ago. "Wes has literally, and metaphorically, brought light to the darkness of our underwater cave-spring systems. And he's done so with great finesse, with great art, and great courage." -Bill Belleville

On May 16, FOWR sponsored a much-needed river clean-up on the Little Wekiva River with over 100 volunteers. Helping hands from FOWR members, volunteers from South Seminole Rotary, Markham Woods SDA Church, and youth from Lyman High School's Interact Club collected over 1000 pounds of trash! Mid-way downstream just before portaging over the Overstreet bridge, Jim Oliver and Sue Tyndall treated us to cold sodas and fruit. Special thanks to Dennis Sobik from Sobik's Sandwich Shops for donating a wonderful lunch at Russ and Katie Moncrief's at the end of the trip. Stayed tuned for more clean-ups to be scheduled.

RiverFest 2010