AQUIFERious

Twelve North Florida Springs--and the aquifer that feeds them--form the nucleus of this book through the art and writing of artist Margaret Ross Tolbert. But the aesthetics and science of this book speak to all of the freshwater springs in Florida-as well as to those readers who would experience, explore, and acknowledge the sublime qualities of these unique natural systems. AQUIFERious also includes photographs, artistic cave maps, essays and scientific articles from thirteen contributors that recount a world of extreme cave diving, history, literature and science. Contributions include Bill Belleville's literary history of springs in Florida Springs: Eocene memories, Fueled by a Dream, Stefan Craciun's essay and images about Sirena, and biologist Tom Morris' Life in Florida's Aquifer Caves, Eric Hutcheson in The Amazing Maps of Eric Hutcheson, Howard Jelks' informative Springs: A Florida Treasure, Denise Trunk Krigbaum's account of Springs Critters, Jon Martin's Springs Water Ages, Dan Rountree's essay on Siphons and Swallets, Georgia Shemitz's map of springsheds and recharge areas, and Jim Stevenson's urgent plea, Florida Springs: a Cloudy but Hopeful Future. Dina Liebowitz reveals the monumental contribution of minuscule snails in cleaning up the springs. Matt Cohen describes the heartbeat of the river; and the ability it has to cleanse itself; and Bob Knight paints a poignant picture of the decline of Silver Springs and the history of the studies of the springs.The poetic-with the passion for the fragile springs and the creativity they inspire-is tempered with sobering stories of loss of flow and water quality. Useful links, information and how-to advice for helping conserve and protect the springs are included. A percentage of sales goes to groups helping the springs. Printed by Fidelity Press in Orlando, second edition, 176 pages casebound, 9 x 12 inches, designed by Jarrod Ryhal.