"It’s humbling to see such a monumental change come from our citizens.”
Ken Frink
City Manager,
City of Crystal River
SAVE CRYSTAL RIVER
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
We are committed to restore and protect the beauty and health of Crystal River and Florida’s waterways for future generations.
JOIN IN THE MISSION
IT’S CLEAN UP TIME
Beneath the surface, Lyngbya and organic waste choke the seagrass and underwater landscapes. Through donations and government support, we are able to give wildlife and vegetation the opportunity to prosper again. Donations to Save Crystal River go directly to rehabilitation and removing the muck. Several species of eelgrass are carefully planted with protective cages (until they are rooted and flourish) to rehabilitate the waterways into thriving aquatic ecosystems for manatees, sea turtles and other creatures thanks to support from people like you.
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lbs
MANATEE MUNCHIES
Manatees eat 10-15% of their body weight every day. That’s 100-150 pounds of seagrass and other vegetation!
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min
DEEP BREATH
Manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes while traveling the waterways. That is a whole Netflix episode!
join in the mission
Crystal River and Florida’s waterways have been damaged by human and environmental factors making the waters uninhabitable for sea life and undesirable for recreation.
We are on a mission to make Crystal River a beautiful and thriving home for sea life, our community, and visitors.
Join us in building a more beautiful tomorrow for generations to come!
how it all began
Dedicated residents and business professionals came together with a single goal – to rehabilitate Florida’s waterways into thriving ecosystems. Work began in Kings Bay, where Lyngbya “algae” was choking underwater vegetation and leaving cloudy, slimy water where it once was turquoise and clear. As the community banded together to clear out the muck and rehabilitate the waters, it became obvious these efforts were needed elsewhere. In 2012, that dream became a reality and Save Crystal River was born, with the mission to restore and protect the beauty and health of Florida’s waterways for future generations.
The Word around town
See what others are saying about the results Save Crystal River has created in our community and beyond!
“It’s amazing what Save Crystal River is achieving and the difference it makes to our community.”
JOE MEEK, MAYOR, City of CRYSTAL RIVER, FL
“Save Crystal River provides an outstanding example of how a public-private partnership can accomplish much more than either could alone.”
Jim Farley, Former Mayor, City of Crystal River, FL
Pat Fitzpatrick
Councilman, City of Crystal River, FL
I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up on Crystal River and see the changes happen over the years. This project initiated by Save Crystal River is by far the single most improvement of the Nature Coast. I got to enjoy water sports and fishing as a kid, and now my family can see what I was lucky enough to enjoy. Thank You, Save Crystal River!
Robert Holmes
Councilman, City of Crystal River, FL
The work that Save Crystal River is doing in cleaning up our river is wholeheartedly supported by the Chamber. Restoring our waterways is not only the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint, but for economic reasons as well.
Josh Wooten
CEO, Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, FL
This process of vacuum, clean, plant, and protect is a proven success. The return of grass beds, many species of fish, and the Lyngbya-free oxygenated water that attracts them, is an environment that will yield dividends for Citrus County and its residents for decades to come.
Jeff Kinnard
D.C. Citrus County Commissioner, FL
Save Crystal River has been instrumental in raising awareness on improving our water quality and keeping our community winsome for our residents and visitors. We are blessed to have them working with us.
Ralph Massullo
MD District 34 Representative, State of FL
SAVE CRYSTAL RIVER
IN THE NEWS
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Save Crystal River is a 501c3 not for profit organization dedicated to preserving Florida’s waters for generations to come.
All I can say is WOW. I live on a portion of the Crystal River that has been very positively impacted by the work completed by Save Crystal River. What was once covered in Lyngbya and sludge is now covered in Rockstar eelgrass. The water has become much clearer, and many different species of fish have returned. I will say it again WOW! Keep up the good work!