We Dare You to Get Your Feet Wet!

by | Jan 27, 2022 | Community, Explore the River, Explore the River, Our River

Get Your Feet Wet with St. Johns Riverkeeper

Pottsburg Creek Kayak TripSt. Johns RIVERKEEPER is pleased to announce our 2022 Get Your Feet Wet campaign. This exciting new initiative will provide resources and opportunities for the public to learn about and explore the St. Johns River and its watershed.

The campaign is being launched to introduce people to the many beautiful and special places along the St. Johns, foster a deeper appreciation for our river, and demonstrate what we stand to lose if we don’t protect it.

To encourage the community to get outdoors and explore the river, we’re partnering with other nonprofits as well as agencies and businesses to offer a variety of unique outdoor experiences and opportunities to learn about the St. Johns River. Offerings include eco-tours, hikes, paddling trips, and expert speakers throughout the watershed, from the headwaters at Blue Cypress Lake to the St. Johns River estuary in the Jacksonville area.

River Taxi Eco TourHighlights include:

  • Paddles: Explore the river and enjoy its beauty up close from a kayak on one of our guided tours. These trips will be offered as far south as the headwaters of Blue Cypress Lake up to the backwaters of the Timucuan Preserve near the river’s mouth.
  • Guided Hikes: Stretch your legs, discover new flora and fauna, learn about the history of the watershed, and enjoy beautiful scenery on a guided hike.
  • The first annual Source to Sea Celebration in Palatka on Saturday, March 12 will celebrate those who have paddled all 310 miles of the St. Johns River. The celebration includes several opportunities to explore the river, including a morning hike and paddle and an early afternoon boat trip on the Pride of Palatka II. The day will close with an awards ceremony and celebration at Azalea City Brewing Company.
  • Speakers Series: On the fourth Thursday of each month, come aboard the St. Johns River Taxi to learn from experts about the history, ecology, and issues related to the St. Johns River and its tributaries. Voyages will launch from various locations in the Jacksonville area.
  • Tiny Dock Concert Series: Enjoy outstanding music while on board your boat, kayak, or paddle board, or the St. Johns River Taxi. This year’s concerts feature local renowned artists from a variety of genres, including Jacksonville resident and finalist from NBC’s The Voice, Paris Winningham.
  • Cleanups: Take in beautiful backdrops of the river’s tributaries alongside like-minded neighbors while making the St. Johns River cleaner for us all.

McCoys Creek Cleanup“Get Your Feet Wet might be an introduction to the St. Johns River and nature for some, or a familiar experience for others. Either way, we believe that the best way to appreciate something is to get out and experience it. In that spirit, we hope that as people learn more about the St. Johns, her tributaries, and the watershed, they will be inspired and motivated to protect our river for generations to come,” shared Lisa Rinaman, your St. Johns Riverkeeper.

Events will be hosted throughout the watershed and are family friendly. Make a day trip to another part of the watershed or come see something new in your own backyard. We encourage you to bring a friend and make some new ones along the way. Get Your Feet Wet is designed to encourage everyone to learn and explore!

To supplement this campaign, RIVERKEEPER will be launching a Get Your Feet Wet website later this year. The website will provide a valuable resource about places to visit, outdoor activities, overnight accommodations, restaurants on the river, and more.

“We are essentially creating an online guide to learn about the numerous ways to explore and experience the essence of our St. Johns River and its watershed,” explained Communications Specialist Rebecca Vecera. “Time spent outdoors can benefit us in so many ways. We want to make it easier for people to get their feet wet and enjoy our magnificent river.”