@sjriverkeeper Advocacy Director
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Articles by Shannon Blankinship
On the River: Outstanding River Friendly Yard Award
Annually, St. Johns RIVERKEEPER and Florida Native Plant Society’s Ixia Chapter recognize individuals or businesses that have implemented River Friendly landscaping and maintenance practices to reduce their impact upon the health of the St. Johns River and our environment.
On the River: Getting Litter out of Our River
Few waterways are spared from the seemingly endless supply of plastics and litter that dumps directly from storm drain outfalls. In northeast Florida, it is hard to find a creek or park free of these foreign invaders. Getting litter out of our river is a tough job, and few barriers exist to keep it out in the first place.
On the River: Lost Springs of the Ocklawaha
There are major environmental catastrophes, protests and movements getting a lot of media attention in the U.S. these days. In northeast Florida, most people know about the proposed dredging or Central Florida’s water grab from the St. Johns River fueled by the expansion of suburbs and green lawns. Many people may also know about the Rodman Dam, officially called the Kirkpatrick Dam, which was built in the 1970’s as a part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal.
5 Steps: How to be a “River Friendly” boater
We use the term “River Friendly” often. Usually, it’s a reference to actions homeowners take to conserve water and reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides that can run off into nearby storm drains and waterways. Sometimes we are referring to businesses that take steps to reduce their impact on the river or support the work of St. Johns Riverkeeper. The term also applies to boaters who take steps to be good stewards of the river while out on the water.
On The River: Feast on the St. Johns River by boat
Since our boat motor gave out last year, St. Johns Riverkeeper has been relying heavily on volunteers like our River Patrol to help us investigate and communicate pollution spills and algae blooms. This summer, we are launching a fundraising campaign to purchase a new Kencraft from Sadler Point Marina, and are hoping to get back on the water soon. Having a boat is critical to the work that we do.
Adventures At Welcome To Rockville with Tony & Jaime of Pierce The Veil
When on long trips with my friends, we normally take turns picking songs to jam out to in order to pass the time. When my friend Sara’s turn had come, she chose Pierce The Veil’s “Caraphernelia” officially catching my attention.
Come & Get It! I Prevail at Welcome To Rockville
Anyone that knows me is well aware that I am a big music video fan! I can fall down the YouTube rabbit hole for hours. During an afternoon free fall of listening to From Ashes To New, I came across a name I hadn’t seen before.. I Prevail.Curiosity struck and I had to hit play. The song “Scars” opened with the line “Trying to tear us apart but, know that we’ll wear our scars” and I knew another free fall was about to begin.
On the River - Happy Hour on the Water
There has been a lot of talk about activating our river lately. Lots of initiatives are spinning around to revitalize and energize the tremendous waterfront Jacksonville offers. The best way to understand, explore and experience the river, is to get on the water. Here are some ways you can escape into your own backyard this summer and enjoy what we have to offer.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns Day Final Day
Day 13, Sunday, April 3 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director Day 13 began with a beautiful sunrise overlooking the shoreline where the St. Johns River meets the ocean. The Tour Team camped with family, friends and volunteers along the river at Huguenot Memorial Park, enjoying the final morning before jumping into kayaks.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 12
Day 12, Saturday, April 2 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director On Saturday, Day 12, the weather didn’t want to cooperate for the first time on the tour and we had to cancel the flotilla from Sadler Point Marina on the Ortega to Jacksonville University; however, the rain and lightning soon subsided and we were able to make it just in time for the Science Roundtable at Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute and the location of the St. Johns...
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 11
Day 11, Friday, April 1 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director Our first stop on the tour today brought us to Doctors Lake Marina, a marina that has had difficult times over the years as algae blooms and other water quality problems have impacted their business. Rusty Gardener of Boat Florida Rentals spoke with Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman today about the impact of pollution on his business and about the blooms that have shut down marina activity.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 10
Day 10, Thursday, March 31 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director Crystal Cove Marina, overlooking the St. Johns River in Palatka, provided a beautiful backdrop for a live remote interview at sunrise with Lisa Rinaman for a local morning show.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 9
Day 9, Wednesday, March 30 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director Today, the Tour Team paddled an eight mile section of the lower Ocklawaha River from the Kirkpatrick Dam to a takeout at Highway 19. Before taking to the water, Putnam County Environmental Council members explained the impacts of the dam on the river and why restoration would be so beneficial to the Ocklawaha, the springs, the St. Johns River and the local economy. This stretch of braided river feels wild.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 8
Day 8, Tuesday, March 29 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director We started out our day with a meeting at Silver Springs State Park with numerous environmental leaders that included Guy Marwick, executive director of the Felburn Foundation; Dr. Katie Tripp with Save the Manatee; Thomas Hawkins, executive director of Florida Defenders of the Environment; Dr. Robert Knight, executive director of the Florida Springs Institute; and Robin Lewis, wetland scientist and...
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 7
Day 7, Monday, March 28 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director We began the day with a warm send-off from the generous and hospitable residents of Drayton Island who hosted our group in their homes and nourished us with a delicious Easter dinner and hearty breakfast before we departed. On the water, we were joined by Sam Carr and Ken Mahaffey with the Bartram Trails in Putnam County.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 6
Day 6, Sunday, March 27 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director On Day 6, the Tour Team departed DeLand and headed north, passing the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Dexter. Bald eagles and osprey lined many of the trees we passed. Houseboaters were common in this area and it is a great place to relax and watch the river. Our first stop was lunch at the Blackwater Inn, a local favorite and great place to dine waterfront in Astor.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 5
Day 5, Saturday, March 26 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director What an adventure! Day five of the Save the St. Johns tour began on a spring fed, 16-mile tributary to the St. Johns, the Wekiva River. Nearly 50 paddlers joined us on the water with outfitter Adventures in Florida to experience this amazing river, including representatives from Friends of Wekiva River, Seminole Audubon Society, Central Florida Surfrider and League of Women Voters.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 4
Day 4, Friday, March 25 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director Today, we ventured off the main stem of the St. Johns River to explore the Econlockhatchee River, the second largest tributary to the river at 54 miles. Our outfitter Adventures in Florida guided the team through low hanging trees, snags, sandy beaches and wildlife. Several gators were spotted as well as otter, herons, kingfishers and large bass.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 3
Day 3, Thursday, March 24 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director On our third day, the Tour Team paddled the St. Johns River north of Lake Poinsett. This section is more braided and difficult to navigate. Cattle hug the banks, altering the native landscape and causing erosion. Airboats are popular in this stretch of river and crowds wait patiently at Lone Cabbage Fish Camp to experience the wild Florida.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River Day 2
Day 2, Wednesday, March 23 By Shannon Blankinship, St. Johns Riverkeeper Outreach Director Our second day on the river brought sunny skies and wide lakes, connected by marshland ideal for airboating. Camp Holly was bursting with tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the many gators common in this stretch of river. The Tour Team reached Lake Washington, the largest lake in Brevard County, on a refreshing and placid day.
Travelogue: Save the St. Johns River campaign for a healthy river
By NewsLine Staff mail@floridanewsline.com Beginning March 22 and continuing for 13 days, St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman and a team of river advocates will journey the 310-mile length of the St. Johns River, from the headwaters at Fort Drum to the river’s mouth at the fishing village of Mayport on the Atlantic Ocean.
On the River: Coal Ash Stories
Imagine being afraid to drink your water, take a bath, fish, or farm. Toxic coal ash stored across Florida poses exactly these risks. Communities are successfully pushing for clean-up in other southeastern states and we’re hosting an event in Jacksonville to help with these efforts. We’ve partnered with Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group, Earthjustice, The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Working Films to bring Coal Ash Stories to Jacksonville.
Springfield Archives - EU Jacksonville
Shannon Blankinship 15 hours ago Charitable, Community, Family, Feature, Neighborhoods, Springfield Leave a comment The reasons residents love living in Springfield are as diverse as the residents themselves. Diversity happens to be one of the many features of our great community, and most people don’t choose to live here unless they appreciate it. I love Springfield because our quiet streets overlooking the city skyline are filled with potential.
River Ruckus
All 100 East Kennedy Blvd 100 Stable Rd, Jekyll Island, GA 31527-0870, United States 103rd Street Sports Complex 11924 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223-1840, United States 1200 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-3404, United States 1207 Prudential Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32207-8327, United States 121 E 8th St, Jacksonville, FL 32206-3703, United States 121 Financial Credit Union 168 S Myrtle Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204-2165, United States 1715 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32206-4403,...
Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville
Disney's PLANES DRIFT ELYSIUM GETAWAY WE'RE THE MILLERS by KELLY SAVAGE Now that the shininess of the holidays and the new year have worn off, it is a good time to truly make some clear choices about how to make 2012 a better year for yourself and your community. I implore you to include the river in those thoughts. Everyday decisions are made by each and every one of us that affect our beloved river. She needs our help. One of the easiest things you can do is get to know your river.
Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville
Lifestyle, On the River, Outdoors Michael Elliott as Fredrick Egerman and Barbara Dare Thomas (AEA Guest Artists) as Desire'e Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC by KELLY SAVAGE Play in the Woods The temperatures have dropped (thank goodness) and we can all make our way into the woods without dripping with sweat. I love this time of year in Florida. The rest of the country is slipping into that grey winter void, and we, my friends, get to enjoy cold nights and warm, sunny days.
on the river – August 2010 - Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville
Home/Lifestyle/Family/on the river – August 2010 Family, Lifestyle, On the River, Outdoors by kelly savage Looking to cool off? Enjoy one of Florida’s most beautiful and unique natural resources and get a break from the 100-degree weather by jumping into some springs! There are 85 springs in the St. Johns River watershed and they contribute 20-30 percent of the river’s flow. Springs are richly connected to our history and are a big draw to visitors.
Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville
Family, Lifestyle, On the River, Outdoors JSYO Holiday Concert First Coast Nutcracker Historical Society?s Gingerbread Extravaganza Historical Society?s Gingerbread Extravaganza Holiday Pops by Kelly Savage, Community Outreach Director for St. Johns Riverkeeper Looking for something to do outside? Look no further. We have events and a guide to keep you busy all summer along your St. Johns River.
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