Introduction Blue Spring State Park, located near Orange City in Volusia County, Florida, is a site renowned for its crystal-clear waters, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural history. The park serves as a vital refuge for manatees during the winter months, a sanctuary for native flora and fauna, and a place of recreation and reflection for visitor

Protecting Coral Reefs and Marine Life Ongoing efforts to protect coral reefs include monitoring, reef restoration projects, and promoting responsible recreation. Climate Change Impacts Sea level rise, increasing storm intensity, and warming ocean temperatures pose risks to Bahia Honda’s ecosystems and infrastructure. Park managers collabor

Heritage of Maritime Communities The people of Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys have a strong maritime heritage, with livelihoods historically tied to fishing, boating, and hospitality. Local communities continue to celebrate this heritage through festivals, museums, and storytelling. Tourism and Ecotourism Bahia Honda State Park attracts thou

The Florida East Coast Railway and Henry Flagler The early 1900s marked a turning point for the Florida Keys with the construction of the Overseas Railroad, engineered by industrialist Henry Flagler. This ambitious project connected mainland Florida to Key West via a series of bridges and causeways. Big Pine Key and Bahia Honda were important w