Protecting the St. Johns River title graphic
Meeting the water demands of Florida's growing population is the destiny of the St. Johns River. Ironically, growth and development represent some of the greatest impacts on the river's health. Only by understanding how such impacts harm the St. Johns River can we become part of the solution for its protection.

Link to Impacts and Solutions
Aerial photo of housing development
Point source pollution, coming from easily identifiable sources such as factories and wastewater treatment plants, is taking second place to non-point source pollution as having the greatest impact on the river. Who's responsible for non-point source pollution? You are. Learn how you can minimize your impact and play an important role in protecting the St. Johns River.
Link to Impacts and Solutions
Link to River-friendly Farm
Illustration of cattle farm on river
For decades, farmers have had a bulls-eye on their backs as major polluters of the river. Farmers, though, can be good stewards of the land when they implement what are known as BMPs, or Best Management Practices. In this interactive presentation about farm sectors in the St. Johns River area, learn about BMPs that farmers are implementing to minimize their impact on the river.
Link to River-friendly Farm
Link to River-friendly Home
Photo of person fertilizing lawn
To maintain that green lawn in your front yard requires a tremendous amount of fertilizer and pesticides. These inputs can leach into the groundwater or flow into the river system during rainstorms. Multiplied by hundreds of thousands of homes with lawns, the yard represents one of the heaviest impacts on the St. Johns River watershed. Learn decisive steps you can take to make your home and lawn more river-friendly.
Link to River-friendly Home



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The Water's Journey: The River Returns film
is an original film by Karst Productions, Inc.
The River Returns web documentary, Copyright © Fusionspark Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All Photos © 2005 Russell Sparkman/Fusionspark Media, Inc., unless otherwise noted.