A Nonprofit Making Waves in Florida

A Nonprofit Making Waves in Florida

Recently our team met up with a nonprofit, Clean Water Coalition (CWC), and it didn't take long for us to realize that we all were in agreement - that Florida has the most amazing and diverse waters on the planet. And those waters need our help! The CWC crew described their cleanup success in the rivers and waterways in the Orlando area. We explained that our rivers in north Florida were very low and clear due to the drought and needed some attention as well. 

Four people sitting together outdoors in a gray boat, wearing matching black long-sleeve shirts with a blue and green 'Clean Water Coalition' logo on them. The background shows trees, rocks, and a wooden building.

Within days the CWC board members drove north for a boat ride on the Santa Fe River. We took them to a section of river that is a popular hangout spot among boaters - at the Ichetucknee River confluence. During our boat ride we could see it all: the manatees, the wildlife, and unfortunately all the trash.

We prodded more to know who they were and if they were up to the task - the river current was ripping fast and a gator or two were observed. They explained that they were all kayak tour guides in the Central Florida area with years of guiding and paddling experience. Only a mile into the boat ride they saw enough trash on the bottom to exclaim "Oh yeah we got this!" 

But we all knew time was of the essence. It was only a matter of time before the rains and tannic swamp waters would return from the summer thunderstorms. Following the boat ride many late night calls ensued with everyone in agreement that a plan had to come together fast. The plan: Our Water State™ team would help with logistics, local river knowledge, and utilize our production boat if they brought the muscle, motivated divers, and cleanup gear. Game on! 

A group of boats and paddleboards gathered at a lakeshore with trees in the background, with a red and white diving flag flying from the front of the boat in the foreground.

CWC's Santa Fe River Success

  • Just 1 mile of the Santa Fe River 

  • Less than 3 hours in the water

  • 32  CWC volunteers

  • 9 Inflatable SUPs

  • 4 canoes

  • 2 boats

762 lbs of trash removed!


Two older men sitting in a small aluminum boat on green water, with a Yamaha outboard motor, trash bags, and a red-and-white dive flag in the foreground. Trees and a wooden dock are visible along the riverbank in the background.
A group of people paddle canoes and paddleboards on a calm river surrounded by dense green trees under a blue sky with clouds.Two women posing with a paddleboard by a clear spring in a forested area. One woman stands in the water wearing a blue and green patterned swimsuit and holding a paddle and a yellow trash bag, while the other sits on the edge of an aluminum boat wearing an orange top, black leggings, and a snorkel mask.

From the 762 pounds removed from the river bottom were: toxic chemicals from cell phones, cans, bottles, micro plastics, vape pens, safety hazards, fishing nets, golf balls (you know who you are), shoes, fishing line and lures, pressure treated wood, rusting metal, and a semi tractor trailer brake hub. (No cultural/historic resources were collected - all divers were educated prior to the dive not to touch anything historic.)

An outdoor scene showing a large pile of assorted trash and debris spread on a tarp on grass, with several people wearing blue gloves examining items. In the foreground, a person holds a pink clipboard with handwritten notes titled 'Trash Data Log'.A pile of scrap materials on a wooden trailer, including several used black tires, a large weathered beige pipe, rusty metal bars, rope, and other debris.We've worked with many nonprofits over the years and even though the CWC is in its infancy working with them was seamless, highly successful, AND fun! They are hungry for more. They know other sections of the Santa Fe River are equally trashed - if not more. We remain in contact with them planning more cleanups in north Florida.
A group of people outdoors on grass in front of trees, posing with various discarded objects like tires, wood logs, and red plastic bags. Most of the people are wearing black long-sleeve shirts and swim bottoms.

Florida needs more of their work - how can you help? First and foremost with them just having organized they need additional gear and funds for their travels - a quick donation to their nonprofit is not only tax deductible - it will fuel more cleanups! 

Join their team: you'll be impressed with their knowledge of the waters and equally be inspired from their passion to protect them. Safety and fun are their focus - neither one compromises the other while making a waterbody a better place for wildlife and humans. 

Hire them to show your environmental stewardship: "We bridge the gap between wanting to help and taking action. For volunteers across the Central Florida area, we organize, equip, and lead cleanup events. We provide all the necessary tools - from kayaks and trash grabbers to bags and safety gear - and offer the guidance needed to conduct safe and effective cleanups. By empowering our community, we can work together to restore and protect the natural heart of Florida for generations to come."

Local businesses that provided support for the May 31st cleanup:

  • Prohibition Pizza - They jumped in and offered to feed all the volunteers - check out the video! Their artisan pizzas and cheesy garlic bread was just what the 32 hungry volunteers needed after all that diving and lifting. Be sure to experience their pizza next time you are in High Springs. 
  • Adventure Outpost - Lars Anderson, Adventure Outpost owner, is a master guide and master helper - he provided all the canoes and his muscle on this cleanup. Be sure to schedule your next paddle with him leading the tour! 
  • Amigo's Dive Center - Mention dive or sinkhole cleanup and Wayne Kinard, owner of Amigo's Dive Center, is there with all his gear and boat. Another successful cleanup with Wayne's assistance! Plan your next scuba trip with assistance from Amigo's.

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