About Us

In 2002, after decades serving as a recreational park, the owners of Crystal Springs Preserve (CSP) redirected their efforts to provide environmental education within the 530 acre Preserve. With a vision to promote the conservation and protection of Florida’s unique natural resources, two years of thoughtful planning was spent bringing together leaders in environmental design, landscape, and engineering to create a learning laboratory featuring a Nature Center, an extensive system of boardwalks, and a screened Wilderness Pavilion. Concurrently, a team of dedicated educators began teaching a carefully curated, hands-on curriculum focused on diverse topics such as springs, aquifers, habitat stewardship and biodiversity.

In 2006 the student programs proved so successful that Crystal Springs Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) was established to provide a vehicle for those inspired by our work to support the continued growth and development of our mission.

Due to the unmet demand for additional capacity for onsite programs, a mobile outreach classroom, WaterVentures – Florida’s Learning Lab was designed and built by CSF in 2011. Built inside of a fifty-three’ semi-truck, the state-of-the-art hands-on digital science exhibit allowed CSF to increase student outreach throughout Florida while continuing to be good stewards of the fragile Crystal Springs Preserve habitat by managing onsite impact. WaterVentures was enormously successful, providing free educational programs to over 1,500,000 visitors.

In 2020, the vehicle returned to CSP and became a static exhibit for CSF students due to the pandemic. In 2023, WaterVentures was retired and transferred to the Miami Dade School District’s STEAM Tech Academy where it continues to be utilized for their environmental education programs.

Crystal Springs Foundation and its decades of success are a testament to our commitment to stewardship, excellence and innovation in science education, and determination in developing Florida’s next generation of environmental stewards.