Citrus County’s 25th Annual Save Our Waters Week (SOWW), sponsored by Keep Citrus County Beautiful, Inc., will be September 19-26 with the theme, “25 Years Protecting Our Waters.” 

The week, which promotes public appreciation and awareness to save our irreplaceable waters, features nine activities of which four are offered to the public free of charge and five with a suggested $10 donation.

The week kicks off with the 31st Annual Lakes, Rivers and Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 19.  Individuals and groups are encouraged to participate in the clean up by visiting https://tinyurl.com/y7ay9wr7 for an application no later than September 3. All clean up participants will receive a Save Our Waters Week T-shirt.

The week concludes Saturday, September 26 with a live and virtual presentation by Quinn Zacharias, Environmental Engineer & Research Assistant, University of Florida Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands.

The week also features a photo contest, video contest, guest speaker program (call Lace at 201-0149) and guest commentaries in the Citrus County Chronicle.  Regrettably, the popular high school and middle school environmental jeopardy competitions, as well as some other activities, are not offered this year due to COVID-19.

In previous years, most water appreciation activities were generously offered for free. However, please consider making a suggested $10 donation to participating tour operators in appreciation of their generosity and to help them weather the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join us in celebrating Save Our Waters Week’s silver anniversary by participating in the following scheduled activities:

•    Saturday, Sept. 19, sunrise to 11:30 a.m. 31st ANNUAL LAKES, RIVERS AND COASTAL CLEANUP.

Groups/organizations are encouraged to volunteer. Registration deadline: Sept 3. Visit https://tinyurl.com/y7ay9wr7 for an application. More information email tracey.ivkovic@citrusbocc.com or call 352- 527-7620.

•    Monday, Sept. 21, 8 a.m. CHASSAHOWITZKA RIVER KAYAK TOUR.

Special educational guided tour of one of the most primitive and undeveloped rivers in the state. Learn about the history, ecosystems, native wildlife, and the importance of keeping our waterways clean! Reservations required. Email naturecoastecotours@gmail.com or call 352-422-1122. Capacity: 12. FREE: $10 deposit refunded at end of the tour.

•    Tuesday, Sept. 22, tours at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & noon. KAYAK TOURS.

Paddle quiet canals to Three Sisters Springs and back. Launch from sponsor A Crystal River Kayak Company, 1422 Bldg. B, SE US 19, Crystal River. To register, call (352) 795-2255. Capacity: 10 per tour. FREE: $10 deposit refunded at end of the tour.

•    Tuesday, Sept. 22, tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. HERITAGE ECO BOAT TOURS AT CRYSTAL RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK.

Experience an estuary boat tour on the Crystal River. Sponsored by Friends of Crystal River Parks, Inc. Depart from Crystal River Preserve State Park, 3266 N. Sailboat Ave., Crystal River. To register, call (352) 228-6028. Capacity: 24 people per tour. COST: Suggested $10 donation.

•    Wednesday, Sept. 23, 8 am. HOMOSASSA RIVER ECO BOAT RIDE.

A 2.5-hour guided tour learning about the history, ecosystems and native wildlife of the Homosassa River. Tour includes cruising to the springs and then to the mouth of the Homosassa River where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. Reservations required. Email naturecoastecotours@gmail.com or call 352-422-1122. Capacity: 6. FREE: people per tour. COST: Suggested $10 donation.

•    Wednesday, Sept. 23, tours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5.p.m. GUIDED ECO- TOUR.

Three-hour Guided Eco-Tour of the Kings Bay sponsored by Hunter Springs Kayaks. Reserve by Sept. 15. To register call (352) 228-4715. Capacity: 10. COST: Suggested $10 donation.

•    Thursday, Sept. 24, tours at 10:30 am & 1:30 pm. HERITAGE ECO BOAT TOURS AT CRYSTAL RIVER PRESERVE STATE PARK. 

Experience an estuary boat tour on the Crystal River. Sponsored by Friends of Crystal River Parks, Inc. Depart from Crystal River Preserve State Park, 3266 N. Sailboat Ave., Crystal River. To register, call (352) 228-6028. Capacity: 24 people per tour. COST: Suggested $10 donation.

•    Saturday, September 26, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. 2020 VISION: FOCUSING ON FLORIDA’S WATER ISSUES.

Presentation by Quinn Zacharias, Environmental Engineer & Research Assistant, University of Florida Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands.  Florida’s most pressing water-related issues and some cutting-edge ideas to address them will be discussed. In keeping with COVID-19 CDC guidelines, the presentation will be offered live at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, Inverness, and as a virtual event.  To register for the live or virtual event, visit https://tinyurl.com/y6ackdf4 or call 352-341-6428. Instructions on how to attend virtually will be emailed prior to the event. Capacity: Live event 30 people; virtual event unlimited. Sponsored, in part, by Keep Citrus County Beautiful, Save Our Waters Week, and the Citrus County Historical Society Inverness Cultural Heritage Council.  COST: Suggested $10 donation.