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Ashley

@smashsups

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FL naturalist with a love of water.
Owner @floridapaddleexcursions
Chief of Operations @clean_water_coalition
Ambassador @irockersup & @dogoodsurfclub

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

🚨 Attention Central Florida Nature Lovers!!!
@savethemanateeclub needs our help reporting healthy manatee sightings on the @wekivawildandscenic river! Follow along as I show you how quick and easy it is to report!
⚠️ Report sick or injured manatees to the FWC Wildlife hotline! 1-888-404-FWCC
🐮Report healthy manatees to:
https://savethemanatee.org/how-to-help/report-a-manatee-sighting/

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CWC SPOTLIGHT ⭐️
Meet Ashley @smashsups
Chief of Operations at Clean Water Coalition

“Hi, I’m Ashley, Chief of Operations at Clean Water Coalition.
My passion for clean water began long before it became my career. Growing up in South Florida, I spent countless weekends boating and exploring the waterways with my family. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the natural world and instilled in me the belief that it’s our responsibility to care for these incredible ecosystems.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep-rooted passion for community and stewardship. To me, conservation is about so much more than restoring habitats or removing litter—it’s about bringing people together around a shared purpose. Some of the most meaningful moments happen when volunteers, families, and neighbors come together to care for the places we all love. Those connections create stronger communities and lasting environmental change.
Through my work with the Clean Water Coalition, I hope to inspire others to become stewards of our waterways and show that every act of service, no matter how small, makes a difference. Whether it’s leading a paddle, organizing a cleanup, or simply sharing knowledge about our most precious Floridian ecosystems, I’m grateful for every opportunity to help people connect with nature, each other, and the mission of protecting our waters for generations to come.”

#cleanwatercoalition #nocanleftbehind #meettheteam #nonprofit #bossbabe

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Another fun day getting to talk about two things I love!

This morning, I helped kick off the Seminole County, Spring Hammock Preserve Bioblitz Fall 2026 with a talk as an @inaturalistorg ambassador. Then, this evening, I had the joy of talking about the Wekiva Wild and Scenic River System as the @wekivawildandscenic River Ambassador at the @floridaspringscouncil 10-year celebration at @wekivaisland .

I know there’s a lot of doom and gloom out there, but I promise you, there are SO many good people doing amazing things to protect the places we love. From documenting biodiversity and restoring habitats to advocating for our springs, rivers, forests, and wildlife, there are people showing up every day to make a difference.

Getting to be part of these spaces reminds me how much good is happening and how important it is to keep showing up for the natural spaces that can’t speak for themselves. I’m so grateful to connect with people who care and to play even a small part in protecting what makes Florida so beautiful.

I know, I know…my outlook on life might not be the “norm,” but I choose every day to curate my own real life “algorithm”: one filled with hope, good people, and the belief that we can make a difference.

If you’ve been looking for a way to get involved, I’d love to help connect you with opportunities that match your interests! Whether you want to explore, learn, volunteer, collect biodiversity data, or get involved in conservation or advocacy, there’s a place for you in this community.

You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference. There’s space for you here, too. Join us! 🩵

#iguessitalkwithmyhands #nature #florida

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What an action packed day surrounded by so many people who care about conservation! Started off with a @floridaspringsinstitute SpringsWatch survey on the @wekivawildandscenic River. Then went to @orlandomuseumofart for the free admission day to see the @wildpath film screenings and listen to the talks from filmmakers @ktbryden and Lauren Yoho.

I still remember the first time I came across @carltonward photography and thinking, wow - Florida is every bit as extraordinary and worthy of protection as the places we so often see highlighted in National Geographic. Our wild places, too, deserve that recognition, appreciation, and sense of urgency when it comes to protecting them.

It’s such a gift to see Florida through the lens of someone who loves this state so deeply, and to be reminded of the powerful ways people can use their artistic talents to inspire a deeper connection to nature and protect the biodiversity that makes this place so special. There’s something really beautiful about turning that love into art that helps protect what we stand to lose.

70 of Carlton’s works are on display through January 3rd at the Orlando Museum of Art. If you have the chance, go experience them for yourself.

Bonus photo at the end from 2023 when @r.e.v.e.c.c.a.photo and I were Carlton and Babs for Halloween.

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#beforeandafter on the dammed Ocklawaha River.
If you ask any of the old timers who knew Cannon Springs before the Cross Florida Barge Canal, they unanimously proclaim that it was heaven on earth. Cannon spring, among countless others are now a shell of their prior glory.
The "before" footage was taken during the last draw down of the river. This happens every 2-4 years when the state opens the Rodman /Kirkpatrick Dam for a short while, exposing the declining health of the hidden springs and pushing invasive aquatics and buildup into the St John's Riverway. An exercise that is not needed when the river is left in it's natural state.
🐊
As stewards of the land, it is clear that we have royally messed up for our own greed. 2:15
.
#reunitetherivers
#florida #water #ocalanationalforest

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Part 2 as promised…
With my original audio of me squealing in delight over this baby manatee (aka listen to me fall in love in 30 seconds)
Make note I am not chasing, feeding or harassing this little baby, I’m letting the manatee call all the shots.

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I heard @flspringspassport challenged us to post our favorite manatee encounters to get hyped for manatee season…
so here’s part one of mine with some quick tips to help protect manatees!

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CWC girlies are back on Springs Watch @floridaspringsinstitute
#floridasprings #springswatch #volunteering #citizenscientist #riverrats

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Tomorrow (Saturday) is the Back to the Swamp Bash to benefit @oldfloridavibes scholarship!!!!
I’d love to see all my friends in the crowd when I’m giving my talk! I’m on at 5:20 PM! If you want to hear about @clean_water_coalition you gotta be there!
Get there early, rain or shine!

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@clean_water_coalition volunteers and neighbors of The Springs Community came together to clean up their portion of the Little Wekiva River! 🤝🏞️

This stretch of the river is fed by two springs that serve as center-points of their private community, Sanlando and Palm Springs! 🌴💧

Of course, you KNOW we had to take a dive in the main Sanlando spring before we left! 🤿💧

#IntoTheWilburness #CleanWaterCoalition #SpringCleaning #FloridaSprings #LittleWekivaRiver

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Can’t wait for Conservation Conversations at the Back to Swamp Bash with this incredible lineup of folks. If you’re looking to meet a group of interesting individuals making an impact from a variety of backgrounds, this is where you’ll want to be!

The Old Florida Vibes Back to Swamp Bash
Saturday, August 29th
First Magnitude Brewing Co.
Gainesville, FL
Conservation Conversations, Live Music, Art Market, @reptilepreservationinstitute experience, @oldfloridavibes Studio Sale, Sausage for Scholars by @stubbiessausages and @registerssausage
📍@fmbrewing

Featuring:
@floridawildwoman
@josephrickettsphoto
@clean_water_coalition
@the_fl_excursionist
@floridaspringscouncil
@wakullaspringslabfsu
@kylekellersongs

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Y’all… Los & I have big news to share…
WE’RE HAVING A BABY!!!!
Special shoutout to my bestie for 📷 @tourguidekim

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