Florida’s springs are a vital natural resource that many UF students love to visit. To spread awareness about how to protect these unique ecosystems, TESI brought displays, fish specimens, and more to a pop-up exhibit at Marston Science Library as part of The Swamp for The Springs campaign. This event was hosted by UF’s Marston Science Library in partnership with the Florida Museum of Natural History.

A group of TESI Environmental Leaders Fellows and staff set up on the second floor of Marston Science Library to engage students with fun and educational activities about Florida’s springs. One of the biggest hits was Springs Pictionary, where students drew different spring organisms while learning fun facts about them. Trivia Tic-Tac-Toe also challenged friends to test their knowledge of the plants, animals, and chemistry of Florida’s springs. These activities helped turn environmental education into something interactive and memorable.

These are some of the Key Messages of the Swamp for the Springs campaign!

Abigail Davis is talking with students about the springs

Here’s the first half of what everyone drew for the Springs Pictionary game!

Here’s the other half of what everyone drew for the Springs Pictionary game!

Beyond the games, students could also sign The Swamp for the Springs pledge to learn about impactful ways to help protect the springs through community or individual efforts like conserving water or community efforts like educating others. About 10% of the students who stopped by signed the pledge and committed to joining their fellow Gators in protecting Florida’s springs.

A student drawing a turtle on the Springs Pictionary paper.

Alex O’Donovan talks to a student about the Swamp for the Springs Campaign

Group photo of the Swamp for the Springs outreach team.

Sadie holds up a jarred fish specimen for a student to examine

A student plays springs-themed tic-tac-toe trivia.

Here are some of the fish specimens found in Florida’s springs from the Florida Museum Ichthyology collection

The Marston Science Library staff also prepared some springs-related activities to engage students, including a build-you-own-springs in a jar (complete with limestone and live moss!) and a virtual reality experience showcasing a diver in Ginnie Springs. The Florida Museum’s exhibits and public programs team was also present to promote the museum’s upcoming events. The museum’s next pop-up exhibit at Marston Science Library will take place April 10 and feature pollinators!

The springs pop-up was just the beginning of a series of Florida springs-themed outreach events as part of TESI’s educational campaign. Mark your calendars for our next big event in April— CSI Planet: The Mystery of the Missing Manatee, an unforgettable evening of mystery, science, and theater!

TESI’s Swamp for the Springs campaign is funded by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The project is supported by two undergraduate student fellows, supported by the University of Florida Gulf Scholars program.