Thanks to Jim Stevenson, former chief biologist for Florida State Parks and Audubon supporter for nominating
Wakulla Springs State Park for designation as on of Florida's "Special Places." You can read more about the nomination and what Jim said about Wakulla Springs State Park on the
Florida Audubon's News Blog.
I'm not sure when I first visited Wakulla Springs, but the old high wooden dock was still in use and jumping or diving off the highest level was almost considered a rite of passage for all young boys who dared climb to the very top. Take my word for it. It was a long way down when you're only a few feet tall.
I visited Wakulla Springs while a student at Florida State and later stayed in the Wakulla Springs Lodge rather than a Tallahassee motel when visiting the state capitol on business. Later I had the chance to retire and Katy and I selected Wakulla County, primarily because of the springs, park and the beautiful Wakulla River.
Although we later retired a second time to Western Arkansas, Wakulla Springs State Park is still in our heart as one of our personal "Special Places" to visit when I'm back in Florida. A very special thank you to Jim Stevenson for nominating the park for such a recognition, and Ron Piasecki, current President and all of the
Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park who have continued to work so tirelessly over the years to protect and preserve a national treasure.
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| Credit: FloridaMemory.com |
UPDATED: 12/19/11 - The Friends of Wakulla Springs group
recently sent out a reminder about a 4-minute video.
"The Mastodon Findings at Wakulla Springs", that recounts how mastodon
skeletons and early human artifacts have been found at the springs. Wakulla Springs has frequently been at the intersection of science and history. The Friends are working hard to help preserve Wakulla Springs for future generations.
UPDATED: 2/3/12 - A hat tip to Ron Plasecki and the Friends of Wakulla Springs for finding
"The Development of Wakulla Springs" video on MyDaily, part of the AOL collection of news sites in the UK. The 12-minute video covers the park's early development by Ed Ball, early movies filmed at Wakulla Springs, the famous Florida State College for Women (later FSU) swimming team and the amphibious attack on Wakulla Springs with live ammunition used as a training film for the invasion of Europe during WWII. The color training film won an Oscar the following year. Thanks to the park/s many friends and supporters, Wakulla Springs evolved into one of the premier state parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the Florida panhandle.
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| Wakulla Springs basin in 2003. Click on image for larger view. |
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