SRWMD encourages residents, visitors to "Leave No Litter" during busy holiday weekend

LIVE OAK, FLA., MAY 23, 2024 – Warmer weather means more visitors to our local springs and rivers. Due to that, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) encourages everyone to “Leave No Litter” on their visits and help protect our environment. 

The “Leave No Litter” campaign, which kicks off ahead of the upcoming busy Memorial Day weekend, urges residents and visitors alike to enjoy local springs, rivers, lakes, and District lands responsibly by picking up trash and being good stewards of the environment.  

The District will incorporate these messages into social media posts throughout the week, and again during peak tourism times around the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays. 

“Litter does not belong in our natural landscape and distracts from the pristine beauty of Florida’s natural water resources. Litter and debris can even lead to restricted water flow and pollute healthy springs,” said Hugh Thomas, Executive Director of the District.  

That pollution can make our springs unfit for swimming, spur the growth of algae blooms, as well as impact wildlife and cause serious ecological harm.  

To help prevent this, here are some tips to keep our natural resources clean:  

• Dispose of trash properly. Cans, bottles, plastic bags, and other trash can harm water quality and wildlife, and destroy the natural beauty of the springs.
• Tubers, swimmers, snorkelers, and divers should avoid standing in vegetation or kicking up silt. This could destroy native vegetation, which can encourage the growth of invasive plants and algae and reduce habitat for fish and wildlife. 
• Stick to designated paths and avoid climbing on the banks of rivers or springs – disturbing native vegetation and soils could hasten erosion. 
• If using a boat with a motor, raise the motor in shallow water to avoid destroying native vegetation and wildlife. 

The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.

For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

###