Defending Florida’s Forgotten Coast
It flows downriver.
The Wakulla River emerges from the world’s largest freshwater spring, Wakulla Spring, giving life to wildlife sanctuaries and commercial fisheries.
As pollution seeps into North Florida’s groundwater, it flows south to the waterways, wells, and fisheries that support our economy and way of life. When major polluters threaten our waters, we fight back and win.
The Downriver Project is a nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. We unite fishermen, hunters, oyster farmers, faith leaders, and homeowners to defend the waters that all of us depend on.
Featured Victory
SunStop wanted to store thousands of gallons of fuel on the underground river that delivers water to Wakulla Springs. Photo: David Moynahan
SunStop Oil has a long history of polluting Florida waters. But for two years, they lobbied to build a 16-pump mega gas station on the Wakulla Springs cave—an underground river that feeds the largest freshwater spring on Earth.
The Wakulla County government hoped to advance SunStop's plan at an August 2023 county commission meeting. In response, Downriver Project volunteers organized a record turnout of 400 anglers, hunters, oyster farmers, and outdoorsmen. Amid a historic 119-degree heat advisory, hundreds were told to stand outside in a sweltering parking lot, but they refused to leave. Their commitment forced the commissioners to suspend the vote, and a wave of statewide media coverage followed.
As public awareness grew, our team collaborated with lawmakers and other nonprofits to form a new plan that would permanently protect the Wakulla Springs Cave, creating a 230-acre conservation corridor and nature park. Rep. Jason Shoaf and Sen. Corey Simon skillfully carried this proposal through the Florida Legislature, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed off in July 2024.
Since 2021, the Downriver Project has stopped four dangerous projects, all worth millions to their backers. Click below to learn more.
A Legacy to Uphold
Pictured in 1960, Spring Creek maintains a proud crabbing culture and is home to a spring whose waters flow from as far north as Georgia.
The Forgotten Coast has a proud fishing, hunting, and outdoor tradition. That’s something worth defending.
In three years, we have beaten three separate, well-funded attempts to pollute local waterways. We are now working as part of the Kill the Drill Coalition to keep an oil company from drilling in the Apalachicola River Basin.
We also strive to promote education through the Downriver Scholars program and a Forgotten Coast-themed coloring book series, due for release in 2025.