January is here, and with it comes a chance to make a real impact in 2025. The Rainbow River needs us now more than ever. We here at One Rake at a Time are ready to take bold steps to restore and protect it. But, we can’t do it alone, so we will be working with our state agencies and our community at large, the more people who help the better.

This year we are ramping up efforts to remove invasive species like Hydrilla and Lyngbya algae along with the harmful muck that they create. We are going to cleanup the areas that are full of muck and then replant native plants.

We want to start a water testing program this year that tests for a lot of stuff, including harmful chemicals by sending water samples to science labs for specific testing. Testing water quality on a frequent basis will help to ensure a healthy future for the river and our wildlife.

These efforts take resources, money and dedication, but with continued support from our community and working in conjunction with our state agencies, we know we can achieve something remarkable.

I have dedicated the rest my life to do what I can to help cleanup and restore the Rainbow River back to the shape it was in before Hydrilla invaded and the endless cycle or spraying herbicides started decades ago.

The One Rake at a Time project was started in 2009 as a Leadership Citrus Class project to clean up the swimming area for the kids at Hunter Springs Park in Crystal River. We announced the cleanup in the newspaper and other people from the area showed up, including some Rotarians.

Rotary is an international service club that has local chapters in Crystal River. I ended up joining the one in Crystal River and was able to keep the project going and growing with more people volunteering to help over the years. As we kept cleaning the lyngbya algae out from around Hunter Springs Park on Kings Bay it became obvious that pretty much all of Kings Bay needed a good cleaning.

Fast forward to 2025 and the One Rake at a Time concept had proven to be highly effective in cleaning up and restoring our springs and is being copied and emulated in other parts of Florida. Other nonprofit groups are learning to work with our state agencies and accomplish more than any one group could do alone.

I believe that you need to work with in the system. In other words we need to work with our existing state government and agencies. By working with them we can actually get more done.

Those who choose to try to influence the state agencies from outside and carry picket signs or throw insults at our state government and agencies are having less success at getting things done. They are understandably angry that everything is not perfect right now and in many cases they are rightfully upset at the conditions of our springs.

Over time our once pristine waters have become polluted and full of toxic Lybgbya algae and Hydrilla. Up to now herbicides have been the management tool used. Over time muck has accumulated in our springs, including the Rainbow River and now it needs to be cleaned up.

The cycle of herbicides needing to be used every year needs to be interrupted and a good alternative is expanding the One Rake at a Time concept that eliminates the need of using toxic chemicals. By raking out Hydrilla and then vacuuming up the muck and replanting eelgrass or other native plants, the Hydrilla can be out competed and a natural balance restored.

People are part of the solution to this concept and as we put our backs into it and start restoring sections of the springs along comes Mother Nature. As we get eelgrass established in a section of the river and maintain it to a healthy state it can become dominant again and the need to use herbicides in that area can be eliminated.

This year our goals include trying to raise money to buy a small jon boat to help survey and monitor the areas of the river that we are working on or to keep track of what areas need to be cleaned up next. We also want to start an aggressive water testing program to track residual chemical contamination in the river.

Last year we raised over 7 thousand dollars to help with the project and this year our goal is to raise 10 thousand dollars to buy a boat and start the testing program. These items are not covered in the grant we have gotten from the state.

The state grants we have received so far mainly pay for mechanical help to remove the muck that we are not able to rake out. I always tell people that yes hand raking is very effective in removing Hydrilla and Lyngbya algae but you can not rake out muck, it just falls through the rake tines. Muck can only be removed by a very complicated process that has to be up to the highest standards.

Diver vacuuming is used to remove the muck, process it thru a series of filters, and then all the water must be returned to the river clean. In the end all the muck is dried and eventually ends up on farmland where it is good top soil full of nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen and phosphorus are good to have in the soil but bad to have in the water.

So this year we’ve ramping up efforts to remove invasive species, clear harmful muck, and test for dangerous chemicals left over from herbicides that are threatening the river’s health. These actions are crucial, and every contribution makes a positive difference. By joining as a friend of our nonprofit One Rake at a Time, you’ll be part of this vital mission to save one of Florida’s most treasured waterways.

Your support will help fund equipment, lab testing, and restoration efforts that help bring the river back to life. Together we can ensure the Rainbow River remains a place of beauty, recreation, and wildlife for years to come. Join us today, let’s make 2025 a year of action and improvements.

Thanks again to everyone who have helped in the past and continue to support our work into the future. More more information visit our website at OneRakeataTime.org

Happy New Year,

Art Jones