Friends of Suwannee Town

06/15/2026

06/14/2026

Three days until Scallop Season! 😳😳Here are some tips from our veteran scallopers to get your trip started! See something missing you want to share? Comment below!

06/14/2026

**PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN YOUR SCALLOPS WHERE FOLKS ARE IN THE WATER! GO SOMEWHERE AWAY FROM PEOPLE!! THIS IS DUE TO ATTRACTING SHARKS TO THE AREA WHERE PEOPLE ARE CLEANING**

Simply Steinhatchee - Scallop Season 2026 - Fenholloway through Suwannee River Zone (including Keaton Beach and the Steinhatchee area): June 15 through Labor Day.

This region includes all state waters East of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County and North of Alligator Pass Daybeacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County. This area has a lowered bag limit June 15-30.

Daily Bag Limit for Fenholloway through Suwannee River Zone:

June 15-30:
Per person: 1 gallon whole bay scallops in shell or one cup shucked.
Per vessel: 5 gallons whole or two pints shucked.
July 1-Labor Day
Per person: 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat.
Per vessel: Maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat (1/2 gallon = 4 pints).

06/06/2026

Florida: Sunshine State Springs Under Siege by Data Centers

In the crystalline waters of a Florida natural spring, hundreds of environmental activists form an urgent warning visible from the sky: "NOT ONE DROP FOR DATA CENTERS."

The vibrant aerial scene captures Florida's unique subtropical landscape—lush palm trees and live oaks draped with Spanish moss, dense palmetto vegetation, cypress trees rising from the water, mangroves along the shoreline, and a classic tin-roofed ranch building standing watch over the flat peninsula terrain. A white egret soars overhead, symbolizing the fragile ecosystem hanging in the balance.

Paradise Under Pressure

Florida sits on a water paradox: surrounded by ocean yet desperately short of freshwater. The state's legendary natural springs—once flowing at millions of gallons per day—are already in crisis from over-pumping, pollution, and saltwater intrusion. Now, as data center developers target Florida's growing population centers and cheap energy, communities are facing catastrophic threats to:

- Aquifer collapse as the Floridan Aquifer, source of 90% of drinking water, faces unprecedented industrial demand
- Natural springs that have flowed for millennia now running dry or reduced to trickles
- Saltwater intrusion accelerating as freshwater is pumped faster than nature can replenish
- Ecosystem destruction where manatees, fish, and water birds lose critical habitat

The Last of Florida's Springs

The cypress trees, mangroves, and crystal-clear water in this scene represent what's rapidly disappearing. Florida's world-famous springs—Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs, Wakulla Springs—are already showing signs of catastrophic decline. Now residents are watching in horror as:

- Tech companies propose massive data centers requiring millions of gallons daily in areas already facing water emergencies
- Tourist economies built on spring diving, manatee viewing, and glass-bottom boats face collapse
- Rural communities see their wells run dry while server farms receive priority water permits
- Algae blooms worsen as warm cooling water discharge feeds toxic growth

From the Panhandle to the Everglades, an unprecedented coalition has formed: environmental groups, tourism operators, fishing guides, Indigenous tribes, citrus farmers, and suburban homeowners—all united against data center water consumption.

A State at the Breaking Point

Florida's flat terrain, porous limestone geology, and climate make it uniquely vulnerable. There are no mountains to catch snow, no major rivers to tap, no backup sources. When the aquifer fails, Florida fails. The message is existential:

- Drinking water for 22 million residents at risk
- Agriculture including citrus industry facing irrigation collapse
- Tourism dependent on springs and clear water under threat
- Real estate values plummeting in areas facing water shortages

"You can't recharge an aquifer with AI. Florida's springs are sacred—not server coolant." 🌴💧🐊

06/05/2026

05/06/2026

All ages welcome 🤗

05/04/2026

September 5, 2026 3PM Co****le tournament

The Suwannee Sack-off: Labor Day Edition
Beneficiary: Friends of Suwannee Town
Mission: Beautifying our river home, one bag at a time.
The Suwannee Sack-off is a community-driven co****le tournament designed to celebrate Labor Day while raising essential funds for the Friends of Suwannee Town. All proceeds from the event will go directly toward local advocacy, community beautification projects, and the maintenance of our shared public spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned "pro" or just looking to enjoy a holiday afternoon by the river, this event is about coming together for the town we love.
Official Payout Schedule
#1 Team: $100
#2 Team: $50
B Bonus Challenge: The "Airmail" Pot
During the Semifinal break, we will host the Airmail Challenge.
• Cost: $1.00 per bag.
• Goal: Sink a single bag into the hole from the regulation distance (27 feet).
• Payout: This is a Winner-Take-Half challenge. 50% of the Airmail collection goes to the successful tosser, and 50% goes to Friends of Suwannee Town. If multiple people succeed, the winner's half is split between them. If no one succeeds, the full pot is donated to the town.
Registration Details
• Check-in: 2:30 PM
• Bags Fly: 3:00 PM
• Format: Double Elimination (Guaranteed 2 games)
• Location: Salt Creek Restaurant 29
All winners will receive a "Big Check" photo op for social media and a commemorative Friends of Suwannee Town certificate

Join us for a high-impact, low-cost community toss! For just $10 a person, you get a afternoon of competition on the river, with half of every dollar going directly toward Suwannee beautification projects

Check out this event on Scoreholio