GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – \u00a0Conservationists gathered in Gainesville to hear an expert presentation on Florida\u2019s history as shaped by water as part of the city\u2019s May \u2018Perspectives in the Park\u2019 series.<\/p>\n
Florida springs expert Lars Anderson<\/a> discussed North Central Florida\u2019s springs and how they have been affected over time by residents and visitors. <\/p>\n He emphasized that people are not separate from nature, but part of the systems they move through.<\/p>\n \u201c(I) really want people to recognize their connection to the springs, that they\u2019re not just passing through nature,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cThey\u2019re part of that system that they\u2019re passing through.\u201d<\/p>\n Anderson also shared what he described as alarming trends, including the fact that Florida\u2019s wetlands have declined by more than 20% over the past 20 years. <\/p>\n He said wetland losses matter because wetlands play a critical ecological role and help support Florida\u2019s waterways.<\/p>\n \u201cOne way or another, we here in Florida are depleting the wetlands,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cWetlands are just critical to a lot of things, so it\u2019s definitely something to be concerned about and to protect.\u201d<\/p>\n He ended the presentation by sharing a list of organizations focused on protecting and restoring wetlands, including the Florida Springs Institute and Our Santa Fe River.<\/p>\n