Committed to conserve, protect, and restore Florida’s distinctive natural resources and quality of life for future generations.
Before & After Restoration Efforts
Seasonal Changes Produce Healthier Eelgrass Beds in Kings Bay
If you have swam, boated, or paddled around Kings Bay this winter, you have probably seen an unusual amount of eelgrass blades floating throughout the canals. A closer look may have even revealed that some of the robust eelgrass beds you have grown accustomed to seeing might be looking a little thinner than usual. No need for concern!
Where the Eelgrass Grows
It's no secret that the eelgrass in King's Bay is plentiful and abundant. Once planted, the baby grass is kept in a Grow SAV Exclusionary Device for about a year. This insures the roots are established and those eelgrass plants are ready to take on the aquatic world! But what happens before all of that? Where do those baby plants come from?
Grass Growing Season!
Summertime mean warm weather, fun in the sun, and extraordinary growth for our eelgrass!
RESTORE
Our Kings Bay Restoration Project is actively restoring acres of water habitat each year. Our goal: 92.4 acres restored by 2023.
PROTECT
We share how our marine ecosystem must be helped to thrive. We support both marine life and the lives of people who share this resource.
ADVOCATE
We promote science-based approaches to improve Florida waters. We lead efforts to optimize restoration, secure funding, and overcome obstacles to maintaining sustainable aquatic ecosystems.
The Word Around Town
Save Crystal River has been instrumental in raising awareness on improving our water quality and keeping our community winsome for our residents and visitors. We are blessed to have them working with us.
This process of vacuum, clean, plant, and protect is a proven success.The return of grass beds, many species of fish, and the lyngbya-free oxygenated water that attracts them, is an environment that will yield dividends for Citrus County and it’s residents for decades to come.
Save Crystal River’s work is a cross between heavy construction and aquaculture. It’s amazing what they are achieving and the difference it makes to our community.
Save Crystal River provides an outstanding example of how a public-private partnership can accomplish much more than either could alone. This partnership is reclaiming Kings Bay one step at a time.
All I can say is WOW. I live on a portion of the Crystal River that has been very positively impacted by the work completed by SAVE CRYSTAL RIVER. What was once covered in Lyngbya and sludge is now covered in Rock Star eel grass. The water has become much clearer and many different species of fish have returned. I will say it again WOW! Keep up the good work!
I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up on Kings Bay and see the changes happen over the years. This Project initiated by SCR is by far the single most improvement of the Nature Coast. I got to enjoy the water sports and fishing as a kid, and now my family can see what I was lucky enough to enjoy. Thank You SCR!
The cleaning of Kings Bay was talked about for several years, but it took a group: Save Crystal River, and the City of Crystal River to get the State of Florida to get on board. Senator Simpson was the state official who made sure we got funding for this very successful project. It was people working together that made it happen.
The work that Save Crystal River is doing in cleaning up our river is wholeheartedly supported by the Chamber. Restoring our waterways is not only the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint, but for economic reasons as well.