Environmental Advocacy

Hernando Audubon works to promote an awareness of nature, to preserve and protect our natural ecosystems and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship. Audubon’s mission is more urgent today than ever before. Natural habitat and open spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate. Protection for wildlife, natural places, and clean air and water are in jeopardy. By protecting birds, we’re also safeguarding our natural resources for future generations, preserving our shared quality of life and fostering a healthier environment for all. The primary focus of Hernando Audubon’s environmental advocacy work is dedicated to promoting improved management of public lands, whether local government or state owned. Because of limited resources we typically do not comment on proposed private or commercial development. Recently, Hernando Audubon served on Stakeholder Advisory Groups for management plan updates of the following conservation lands:

  • Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area

  • Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

  • Hernando County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program

  • Janet Butterfield Brooks Preserve Wildlife and Environmental Area

  • Little Gator Creek Wildlife and Environmental Area

  • Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area

Recreational Development within Weekiwachee Preserve – An issue of continuing focus for Hernando Audubon is to minimize the ecological impact of proposed recreational development by Hernando County at the 11,000-acre Weekiwachee Preserve. Hernando County has submitted a proposal to enhance recreational development of approximately 500 acres in the center of the Preserve. Southwest Florida Water Management District staff and the County are currently negotiating specific components of the proposal. Hernando Audubon is concerned that new public use opportunities may greatly intensify use of the Preserve and negatively impact natural resources and sensitive ecological habitat. Hernando Audubon supports continuation of current public use options including hiking, fishing, biking, and birdwatching. We strongly oppose the addition of a swimming area or beach and the inclusion of a variety of vendors (e.g., food, kayaks, mountain bikes, etc.) within the boundaries of the Preserve.    

Weekiwachee Preserve is one of the locations listed in a publication authored by Hernando Audubon entitled Birding Sites of Hernando County and published by Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau. The pamphlet is designed to help local and visiting birders by indicating the localities and times of year when birds are most likely to be found in the County. Since the Preserve was purchased in 1995, over 250 species of birds have been observed on the site. This high number of species is due to the quality and diversity of ecological habitats on the site. The wooded areas within the Preserve attract numerous species of songbirds, especially during the spring and fall migrations.   

Springs Protection Zone for Weeki Wachee River – The Weeki Wachee River is a first magnitude spring that has become a world-renowned tourist destination in Hernando County. Current user activities on the river are causing significant degradation and stream bank erosion. Hernando County’s proposal to designate the area as a Springs Protection Zone (SPZ) would prohibit these damaging activities. On July 19, 2023, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the County’s application for the entire spring run from the head spring within the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to the Rogers Park boat ramp canal to be within the Springs Protection Zone. Hernando Audubon actively supported the County’s proposal, submitting written comments in support of the designation and providing public comments at two public meetings. The Springs Protection Zone will provide a simple prohibition on anchoring, mooring, beaching, and grounding anywhere within the protected stretch of river. This new rule can easily be communicated to recreational users and readily enforced by law enforcement personnel. It will enable degraded areas to be cordoned off for restoration by planting seagrasses that will reduce erosion and improve water quality. 

To get involved with conservation projects, contact Tom: tomstclair8@gmail.com or 904-303-0919.

Weekiwachee Preserve