Here is what Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson sent me:

Overview: Lower Santa Fe River Trash Clean-Up, March 8th, 9 am to 2 pm, After Party 2 pm – 6 pm at Rum 138 in Fort White, Florida

GOAL:

30 miles, 6 hours, 300+ participants

Lower Santa Fe Cleanup by Rum 138, 30 Miles, One River, One Day 2026-03-08

Due to historic low river levels and clear water, the sight of omnipresent human garbage was becoming an eyesore on the Santa Fe River and the Ichetucknee Spring run. Within the 30 miles stretch of its flow to the Suwannee River, local residents began quietly organizing community clean-ups separately. Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, a riparian property owner and a paddling outfitting business owner, recognized a wider need to assist the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee communities to remove trash on the river, in the river, and along the shoreline of the Santa Fe River. 30 miles were in need of a clean sweep, beginning at Mile Marker 30 at RiverRise Preserve State Park (Columbia County, Florida) downstream to Mile Marker 1 at Butler Landing (Gilchrist County, Florida) on the Santa Fe River near the Suwannee River. There are eight Teams organized from public access boat ramps that each represent a few miles to several miles of area to remove human discarded trash.

As the Santa Fe River is extremely low due to drought stages and the trash is obvious. We are expecting upwards of 300 participants (however, due to its amazing interest, this event could draw more like 1000 people) who want to give the river a hand with steadfast earnest intentions to clean up this river. One solid 30 mile sweep, all done and wrapped up onto trailers within 6 hours. Afterwards, when we are out of the water, trash will be trailed io Rum 138 by 3 pm. Weighed in; separated for recycling; and the remainder off to the County dump.

Most volunteers will participate in their own way. For streamlining the access to the river for eager novice participants, in and out, Rum 138 created an online sign up form sign up in advance of that day to work with a designated Team leader.

See online Lower Santa Fe River Clean-Up 2026 form here:

https://forms.gle/mRJkhSRSdJDAu2yN8

Facebook event page for updated information:

https://www.facebook.com/share/18PsHoMmgD/

There are eight teams organized to collect trash in and out of the river.

Each team will consist of Groups named for Mile Markers 1 thru 30.

Team 41 to River Rise: River Rise to US 41 Bridge Mile Markers 30, 29, and 28, (need Team Leader)

Team 41 to 27: US 41 Bridge to US 27 Bridge, Mile Markers 27, 26, and 25, (need Team Leader)

Team 27 to Rum: US 27 Bridge to Rum Island Park, Mile Markers 24, 23, and 22, Team Leader, Jodi Boas and assistance with Rick Lanese.

Team Rum to 47: Rum Island Park to SR 47 Bridge, Mile Markers 21, 20, 19, 18, and 17, Team Leader: Jessica Haslam and assistance with Wayne Kinard

Team 47 to Iche: SR 47 Bridge to TREPO Columbia Boat Ramp, Mile Markers 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, and 8. Team Leader: April Showers (Cirrincione) and assistance with Larry Cyrier

Team Ichetucknee: Ichetucknee, Ruben and Alex Veiga

Team Iche to 129: Ichetucknee to US 129 Bridge Mile Markers 7, 6, 5, and 4, Leanne Custer

Team 129 to Butler: US 129 Bridge to Butler Landing Mile Markers 3, 2, and 1, Bubba Leggins

**After Party with free food, drink, and music (In The Moment band) at Rum 138, 2070 SW County Road 138, Fort White, Florida 32038

Rum 138 is still accepting Sponsorships, for more information please inquire with Rum 138’s office manager, Sanna Saare 386-454-4247

On Sunday, March 8th, we look forward to working with you all as riparian, riverfront, property owners on the Santa Fe River. Thank you. Let’s get this junk out of the river!

Rum 138
(386) 454-4247
info.Rum138@gmail.com
www.Rum138.com

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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