AUGUST IS WATER QUALITY MONTH BY NIKKI HOFFMAN

August is Water Quality Month, making it the perfect time to visit nearby Lake Griffin State Park. Just seven miles from Harbor Hills, the park spans 620 acres and offers a variety of educational and fun experiences.

The mission of the dedicated volunteer group, Friends of Lake Griffin State Park, is to raise awareness of the natural resources and amenities available in this small state park and to fund park projects that lack financial support. This non-profit organization offers kayak eco-tours, monthly sunset kayak tours, and Kayak 101 classes, all designed to help visitors “Explore the REAL Florida” and discover the wonders of nature around us. State-certified paddle tour guides lead the outings and offer insights into the diverse array of trees, plants, birds, and other wildlife that inhabit this wetland ecosystem.

Linda Morrison is one of eleven paddle guides. She enjoys sharing her passion for kayaking and exploring the park’s waterways with visitors. “Every time we’re on the water,” she explains, “we see something new. We hope the more our visitors learn about our wetlands ecosystem, the more they’ll want to help protect what we have here.” Guides discuss the native people and early settlers who lived off the land, as well as the current condition of the park’s natural resources. Guides also explain how park staff and water management personnel carefully control invasive plant and snail species to maintain water quality.

The “real” Florida is a complex and fragile system essential to our quality of life and survival. Visit FLGSP.org for an exceptional experience.