ABOUT US
Cleaning Florida's waterways and natural lands since 1993
Studies show that 80% of marine debris originates from freshwater systems. As a peninsula, it's critical that Florida's upland and upstream communities play a significant part in pollution prevention and reduction. Removing debris preserves critical wildlife habitat, both directly, by restoring the area where the debris was dumped, and indirectly, by preventing leaching of chemicals, toxins, and microplastics into surface waters and further, into our tributaries, river systems, and Aquifer. CP is the only freshwater debris removal specialized nonprofit in the Southeast and has focused its efforts on projects that most impact the health of habitat and water quality. CP engages volunteers in active springshed conservation and has been awarded throughout the years for its direct approach to water quality preservation, Aquifer restoration, and ability to eliminate the cost of harmful debris removal for communities most impacted, including receiving the Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Award. Our focus and priority in all its work is stewardship- of its volunteers and of the watersheds it protects.
WHO WE ARE
In Florida, every square foot of land directly impacts the health of our drinking water, as our watersheds, rivers, and Aquifer are all closely entwined with the health of our surface waters and lands. We work at the intersection of restoration, justice, and human interaction with watershed environments. We are Floridians, friends, students, divers, artists, and stewards of the water state.
HOW WE STARTED
Current Problems was established in 1993 when a small group of friends began working together to clean up the debris and contaminants in and along the banks of North Florida’s Santa Fe River.
OUR FUTURE
As the only freshwater debris removal nonprofit in the Southeast, Current Problems has the unique opportunity to help in local areas where water resources are highly impacted by discarded waste. We hope that by focusing on projects that most impact the health of habitat and water quality, and by encouraging individuals to consider their impact on habitats downstream from their communities, our work will eliminate the need for itself. Until then, we will continue to develop sustainable infrastructure for communities to repurpose and recycle commonly dumped waste.
We are building our programs and organization to serve more river basins in the South and share our legacy, lessons, and success.