For decades, the future of the Ocklawaha River and the Rodman Reservoir has been one of Florida’s most debated environmental issues. In this episode of Water for Fighting, Brett sits down with Margaret Spontak, Founder and Executive Director of the Great Florida Riverway Trust, to discuss the effort to reconnect and restore the Ocklawaha River, Silver Springs, the St. Johns River, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The conversation focuses on the history and future of the Ocklawaha River and the Rodman Reservoir. Margaret explains the origins of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, the ecological impacts of the Rodman Dam, and current legislative efforts to advance restoration while addressing recreation and economic development concerns in surrounding communities. She outlines the Great Florida Riverway Trust’s emphasis on collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and finding solutions that balance environmental restoration, outdoor recreation, and local economic interests.
The episode also explores lessons learned from decades of public service and Margaret’s belief that successful conservation efforts require broad partnerships and community involvement.
This episode is brought to you by my friends at Sea and Shoreline.
Sea and Shoreline is the Southeast’s leading innovator in protecting coastal communities from devastating storms and restoring ecosystems that once faced ecological collapse. Visit their website at www.Seaandshoreline.com.
This episode is also brought to by my friends at Resource Environmental Solutions (RES)
RES is the nation’s leader in ecological restoration, helping to restore Florida’s natural resources with water quality and stormwater solutions that offer communities guaranteed performance and outcomes. Check them out at www.res.us
Please be sure to check out the Florida Specifier Podcast hosted by Brett Cyphers and Ryan Matthews, as part of a new venture where we’re striving to become Florida’s first source for environmental news, educational tools, and unique perspectives on our state’s natural environment and the events that shape it. To learn more about its flagship print publication and more, visit The Florida Specifier.
You can follow the show on LinkedIn and Instagram @flwaterpod, and you can reach me directly at FLwaterpod@gmail.com with your comments and suggestions for who and/or what you’d like to know more about.
Production of this podcast is by Lonely Fox Studios. Thanks to Karl Sorne for making the best of what he had to work with. And to David Barfield for the amazing graphics and technical assistance.
And finally, a very special thank you goes out to Bo Spring from the Bo Spring Band for giving permission to use his music for this podcast. The song is called Doing Work for Free, and you should check out the band live, or wherever great music is sold.
