Increased nutrient loading, rapid development, changing fish and wildlife populations and environmental stresses have greatly decreased valuable habitat on the St. Johns River. With that loss comes a dramatic downturn of environmental health and ecological productivity.

Other concerned citizen groups have united in Florida for the greater cause. Everglades restoration, manatee deaths and coastal initiatives continue to raise awareness and funding, yet Florida’s largest group of outdoor enthusiasts - freshwater anglers - remain in the dark.

For decades, area managers have treated aquatic habitat using “status-quo” procedures, while gamefish populations dramatically decline. Renewed, effective methods have been used elsewhere, yet the St. Johns River continues down the same antiquated path.