You can make a difference. Together, we can create change.
In honor of Earth Day, we want to share five tangible ways YOU can impact the St. Johns River for the better.
1: Participate in the Great St. Johns River Cleanup
Between March 15 – April 26, 2025, counties, businesses, nonprofits and local governments have been coming together to clean up the St. Johns River and its tributaries. This collective, annual effort is known as the Great St. Johns River Cleanup. There are cleanups happening Saturday, April 26 in Seminole County (Sanford and Geneva) and in Duval County (Downtown Jacksonville).
We have also shared tips in a previous blog post about how to clean up on your own. If you live in the St. Johns River watershed, even a cleanup around your neighborhood positively impacts our river!
2: Support Our Parks
April 19 to April 27 is National Parks Week! Did you know there are national and state parks right in our watershed? Visit the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve in Duval County, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in Clay County, Dunns Creek State Park in Putnam County, De Leon Springs State Park in Volusia County, and more.
When you visit – be sure to leave your surroundings the same, or better, than you found them. Be a steward of the land and waters around you, and a positive example for fellow visitors. Be kind to the park employees, and share your love for our natural spaces with anyone who will listen!
We also have a call to action you can take part in during the current legislative session: ask your legislators to strengthen protections for our Florida State Parks.
3: Create a River Friendly Yard or Home
Whether you have a house with a yard, or you rent an apartment, there are ways you can be river friendly at home. From landscaping, to energy and water conservation, we can all take a look at ways to lessen our personal impact.
Check out all of our River Friendly tips.
4: Recreate Responsibly
Many of us have come to care for our river, because we love to use our river. Whether you are an angler, a paddler, or a boater, make sure you recreate as responsibly as possible!
Anglers: educate yourself by taking the free Florida Friendly Angler course.
Boaters: keep cleaners and chemicals out of the river, prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals, and keep submerged grasses and river wildlife safe. Learn more.
5: Reduce Plastic Consumption
Use reusable shopping bags. Buy products with less packaging.
These “simple” changes in your routine result in less trash that can end up in our river and less pollution from the manufacturing of disposable materials. Challenge yourself to reduce the number of trash bags you produce this week before trash day!
Earth Day, Every Day
Today is Earth Day, but we must create a better Earth with our actions EVERY day. St. Johns Riverkeeper works each day to defend the river and advocate for its protection. We are a member-supported organization that does not rely on government funding, but rather on the people to whom the river belongs. Become a member today and help us accomplish our mission!
There is still time to get our limited-edition Earth Month shirt as well, which is sustainably made with 100% recycled materials and manufactured entirely within a 250-mile radius in the US Southeast.