Free the Ocklawaha River Coalition, branded under the Great Florida Riverway, is eager and excited to participate in the 4th Annual North Central Florida Outdoor Expo on August 13! The Outdoor Expo is hosted by the North Central Florida Media Group radio stations 93.7 K-Country and 92.5/95.5 Wind-FM.
Coalition Chair Margaret Spontak said last year’s Outdoor Expo was great fun.
“We’re really wanting to connect with outdoors people: hunters, fishermen, hikers, kayakers,” she said. “It was just great traffic and we got to interact with so many different people. It was really, really worthwhile.”
The Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam was completed in 1968, putting a stop to the free-flowing Ocklawaha River. It seems few remember when the river was vibrant with diverse fish, wildlife, and a thriving cypress forest. The coalition says this does not have to be the fate of the river and it’s time to breach the dam. Breaching the dam will help manatees, water quality, and recover fish habitats.
Day to day, the coalition focuses on recreational activities for guests and oversees designs along the river in hopes of restoring and reconnecting the river from Silver Springs and the St. Johns River.
At this year’s Expo, Free the Ocklawaha River Coalition’s booth will have new recreational concepts to show off, coloring books, posters, maps with historic sites people can visit, and a fan favorite- manatee merch. Their main goal at the Expo is to hear what kind of activities people want on the river.
“We’re interested in connecting with everyone,” she said. “Diverse users, people of all ages that love the outdoors and being on the river.”
Free the Ocklawaha River Coalition and tons of other amazing vendors will be at the 4th Annual North Central Florida Outdoor Expo on August 13 at the World Equestrian Center!
We hope to see you there!
