By Jim Stevenson
Listen! Can you hear his laugh? I can. Wes’ laughter would fill a room. He is laughing today because so many of his friends have gathered in his name here at his favorite springs. I am so glad that Wes’ family chose Ginnie Springs for this special day.
Wes was a champion for Florida’s springs before most of us even knew they were in trouble. He didn’t go to college to study geology, hydrology or water chemistry. Instead he was self-taught and had deep passion. From years of diving in the caves of north Florida’s springs and endless curiosity he figured out how springs functioned.
In 1999, I had the good fortune to appoint Wes to serve on the Florida Springs Task Force to represent the cave diving community. He was a forceful member. During a task force meeting, we were discussing how we should select the most important springs for protection and Wes said that “every spring is important and deserved protection.” When agency members had to tiptoe around sensitive political issues, Wes was there to say what needed to be said. Prior to meetings, I would sometimes ask Wes to push certain issues and to insist that we take stronger action. He loved it. It was like having my own “Enforcer.” Wes has done more to educate Floridians about the plight of our springs then has anyone else. His legacy is his outstanding films: Polluting the Fountain of Youth in 1998, Protecting Florida Springs in 2001, Waters Journey: Hidden Rivers in 2003, and The Springs Heartland in 2008. Several of you are in those films. Wes did his part. We owe it to our good friend to do our part
Listen! I can hear him prodding and encouraging us. Several of you have been actively doing your part for years. But the rest of you need to dive into the action. You divers enjoy clean, clear water for your sport. Wakulla Spring is no longer clear. Silver Springs and Hornsby Springs are no longer clean. Ichetucknee Springs has lost 25% of its flow because of pumping in Duval County. White Spring in the town of White Spring, Worthington Spring in the town of Worthington Spring, Hampton and Fenholloway Springs near Perry no longer flow because of pumping. What will Florida be like without its springs? Would you like to do something for Wes? Then do something for a Florida spring. If you want to know how to make a difference, I can send you a list from which to choose — for example:
- The up-coming election gives you an opportunity to ask candidates: “If elected what action will you take to protect our springs?”
- If you live in a springshed, stop fertilizing your lawn.
- Take your county commissioner or your legislator to see a spring.
- Take a child to see a spring.
- Buy the “Protect Florida Springs” specialty license plate.
Wes will be grateful and a spring will whisper, ‘thank you.’
Photo of Wes Skiles and former FDEP Secretary David Struhs at Wakulla Spring talking to students about springs conservation by Jill Heinerth