In 2009, Art Jones saw Florida’s rivers in decline and began restoring them—literally one rake at a time. By 2015, his grassroots effort had grown into a nonprofit, One Rake At A Time, Inc., dedicated to protecting and preserving these endangered waterways.
Our Mission
To improve and sustain the ecosystem of Florida’s Nature Coast and its surrounding waterways for the benefit of marine life and the community around the Bay. To educate the community, our visitors, and other interested parties about this fragile ecosystem and the best ways to restore, preserve, and protect it.
Our History
One Rake At A Time began informally in 2009, when cleaning up Hunter Springs Park served as a class project for Leadership Citrus. In 2011, the Kings Bay Rotary Club adopted the project to support efforts to restore Kings Bay. By 2015, the initiative had grown into an official nonprofit dedicated to this important work. Over the years, the group worked tirelessly to keep Hunter Springs Park beautiful and healthy, hosting community events and engaging thousands of volunteers—from students at the Environmental Academy, Duke Energy employees, various Rotary Clubs, to college students. This model of community-driven restoration has now spread to other communities and waterways throughout Florida.
With Save Crystal River taking on the massive Kings Bay Restoration Project, One Rake At A Time has turned its focus to the Rainbow River, a waterway in urgent need of a dedicated advocate. The goal is to restore and protect the Rainbow River for generations to come. By promoting a healthy ecosystem dominated by native plants, invasive species are kept in check, reducing—or even eliminating—the need for toxic chemical treatments..
Meet the Members of One Rake at a Time
Art Jones
Founder, One Rake at a Time, Inc.
In 2009, Art Jones saw firsthand that Florida’s waterways were in trouble—and decided to take action, one rake at a time. What began as a personal mission to clean up Lyngbya-infested springs, has since grown into One Rake At A Time, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization officially founded in 2015. Today, Art has led Rotarian-style, community-driven restoration projects in some of Florida’s most iconic spring-fed rivers, including Crystal River, Homosassa Springs, Weeki Wachee, and most recently, the Rainbow River in Dunnellon.
Art’s journey has taken him from the pastures of Oregon to the financial world of New York City. He holds degrees in organic chemistry and mathematics, and studied agriculture while working as a farmer, rancher, and cowboy in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade. In 1986, he transitioned to a successful career in insurance and financial consulting in New York before relocating to Florida in 2003.
Shortly after moving, a severe Red Tide outbreak in St. Petersburg pushed Art northward to Crystal River, where he discovered Hunter Springs Park blanketed in toxic Lyngbya algae. Determined to make a difference, he picked up a rake—and never looked back.
Passionate about conservation, ecosystem restoration, and being a responsible steward of the environment, Art continues to inspire others to take part in the hands-on work of saving Florida’s rivers, one rake at a time.
Bonnie Anderson
Vice President
Bonnie discovered her passion for art at age four in Port Washington, NY, thanks to her Unitarian Sunday school teacher, artist Aida Weadon. She nurtured her talent with free lessons and her first gallery showing at twelve. After moving to Florida, she pursued art through every available class, earning an Art Education degree and Gifted Education certification from the University of South Florida, with additional graduate work at UF and FSU.
During her 38-year teaching career, she was honored as Teacher of the Year at Inverness Middle School (1982) and Rock Crusher Elementary (2010). Her work has been featured in numerous shows, and she’s illustrated a children’s book, Carla Manatee to the Rescue. She continues creating in watercolor, acrylic, weaving, and other mediums, selling her work locally.
She had heard about One Rake at a Time and felt that Art Jones was her hero of Citrus County. Full circle, she met him at the Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and became first Vice President. She wanted to use her art in some way so she created Artie the Otter and it has become the mascot for One Rake at a Time.
Allison King
Outreach Coordinator
Born in New England and raised on a farm in upstate New York, Allison developed an early and lasting connection to nature while spending her childhood exploring ponds, creeks, and nearby lakes. This deep-rooted appreciation for water and wild places continues to shape her commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement—values she brings to her work with One Rake at a Time.
Allison attended Binghamton University and earned her Associate in Science degree from New York State’s Hudson Valley Community College before building a successful 25-year career in descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and actuarial analysis. A young widow and now an empty nester, she relocated to Florida to be closer to both her family and the water. She quickly fell in love with the Rainbow River, drawn by its vibrant ecosystem—home to turtles, river otters, herons, and ducks—and the simple joy of tubing and kayaking its crystal-clear waters.
Since May 2025, Allison has served as the Outreach Coordinator for One Rake at a Time. In her outreach role, she connects with community members, local organizations, and schools to share the nonprofit’s mission, build partnerships, and inspire public involvement in conservation efforts. She supports public education campaigns, coordinates volunteer opportunities, and helps raise awareness about the threats posed by invasive species such as hydrilla and lyngbya algae. She is passionate about hands-on conservation, sustainable living, and contributing to initiatives that protect and restore Florida’s natural resources for future generations.
Michelle Sivilich, Ph.D.
Project Manager
Dr. Sivilich is a nonprofit executive and scientist with more than 25 years of experience in cultural resource management, education, and environmental restoration. As the owner of Rock Paper Steel, LLC, she serves as a consultant specializing in helping nonprofits and communities implement and manage large-scale aquatic restoration programs.
She is currently the Project Manager for One Rake At A Time’s Rainbow River Restoration Project, where she leads multi-agency collaboration, legislative advocacy, and technical oversight to protect Florida’s natural resources. Her leadership has helped secure over $22 million in legislative funding for various conservation initiatives throughout the state.
With advanced degrees in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, and Life Science, Michelle brings a multidisciplinary perspective to every project. She has served as Executive Director for multiple nonprofits, including the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute, and has contributed to nationally funded battlefield archaeology programs and public history education.
Michelle is passionate about preserving both natural and cultural landscapes and is committed to empowering the next generation of community leaders through science, storytelling, and stewardship.
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