That also means we must understand the crucial connections between polluted stormwater and drinking water. This precarious situation, coupled with rapid population growth, was the genesis for this watershed-wide effort. It's clear that in such a large area, we can't leave all the work to the scientists. Pay attention to the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program, operated by the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service in Leon and Wakulla counties. It works with homeowner and neighborhood associations on shoreline habitat, stormwater flow, environmentally compatible landscaping or other water-quality issues.
Citizens learn the problems and solutions that are unique to their piece of the landscape.
Lakewatch is interested in the lakes and ponds in the St. Marks watershed partly because relatively little is known about so many of them. Water-quality data have been collected on about 25 of them. Now Lakewatch wants to double this number of water bodies by April and, for the first time, include sampling points on the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers. This information will be a report card of sorts and will help FYN advise local residents on how actions at home can hurt or help water quality. The large St. Marks watershed is our drinking water and home to our favorite fishing and swimming holes.