The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund recently announced that it was awarding the National Forest Foundation (NFF) $25,000 to facilitate a collaborative effort on Florida’s Ocala National Forest . Funds from Disney will support efforts to develop agreement among diverse stakeholders around the management of Silver Glen Springs and protect the wildlife habitat values of these waters, especially for one of Florida’s most iconic creatures, the manatee.

As one of the 14 sites of the NFF’s national conservation campaign, Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences , the Ocala National Forest was selected by the NFF for its unique biodiversity and threatened ecosystems. The NFF is working on the Ocala to replant longleaf pine forests, restore critical scrub pine habitat and ensure the future of freshwater springs.

Silver Glen Springs, a popular recreation site on the Forest and a first-magnitude spring, is being negatively impacted by ever-increasing use. Unfortunately, many agencies have competing jurisdiction over the springs, and this combined with numerous user groups, has exacerbated the negative impacts and created animosity and confusion. Because the resource is so important, both from ecosystem and recreation standpoints, the NFF is working to bring stakeholders together and develop a strategy for long-term protection of the springs.

Over the course of the next two years and with support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, In the next year and with this support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, the NFF will advance this collaborative process by working with stakeholders to define a shared vision for the future of Silver Glen Springs through a series of facilitated meetings. We will move the group toward developing a recreation use plan that manages the negative impacts occurring on Silver Glen Springs currently, and results in clearer management rules, healthy manatee habitat, and improved water quality.

About Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund

The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund works to protect species and habitats, and connect kids to nature to help develop lifelong conservation values. Since its founding in 1995, DWCF has supported more than 1,000 conservation programs in 112 countries.