Mark Emery Inspires at Springs Forever! Conservation Summit

Mark Emery Inspires at Springs Forever! Conservation Summit

Mark Emery’s stunning photographs of the springs showcased just how important Marion County’s springs are to ensuring clean drinking water for residents, visitors, as well as farms and businesses. Emery is an Emmy award-winning cinematographer, composer and photographer for National Geographic, the Smithsonian Network, BBC and PBS.

Event photos by Sean Dowie Photography.

Celebrating the Springs

Through Mark Emery’s photographs, Margaret Ross Tolbert’s paintings, and Dr. Jason Gulley’s inspiring story about the restoration of Crystal River, this year’s Summit raised awareness about the importance of protecting the Farmland Preservation Area because, it not only helps to protect the equine industry, it also helps to protect the aquifer recharge areas for Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs.
(L to R) Gulley, Tolbert, Emery

A Master Storyteller

Mark Emery, an Emmy award winning cinematographer, shared his spectacular photographs and videos of the springs at Horse Farms Forever’s Fifth Annual Conservation Summit where over 450 guests joined us on Thursday, November 14 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Arena.

Emery spoke passionately about the global importance of Silver Springs and the Silver River, as it is the world’s largest artesian spring and one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. The river’s primeval woodlands made it the perfect backdrop for many films including the original Tarzan movie. Film crews are still drawn to the Silver River, which was named for its silvery appearance.

We don’t realize what an international treasure this is, and it’s right here in our backyard.

Mark Emery

Cinematographer, Composer, and Photographer, Mark Emery Films

As a lifelong resident of Marion County, Emery has seen the difference in the water quality at Silver Springs, as well as the number and type of fish in the Silver River. He is hopeful that restoration work to join Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers will reestablish the fish species and create more suitable habitat for manatees.

He also shared colorful stories about wrestling alligators and milking rattlesnakes at Ross Allen’s Reptile Institute in the 1960s.

Over 450 guests joined Horse Farms Forever at our Fifth Annual Conservation Summit held on Thursday, November 14 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Arena.

Full Immersion

Renowned artist of the springs, Margaret Ross Tolbert talked about how the springs and the translucent quality of the water are her muse.

The paradisiacal springs of North Florida are my paintings’ subject and metaphor. The springs paintings begin on site at the water’s edge and often in the water. I swim in the springs, I sketch underwater; and I’m inspired to write when I am beside them.

Margaret Ross Tolbert

International Artist of the Springs

Her large-scale paintings have been installed in many museums and airports across the United States. Most recently, an 18-foot painting of Silver Springs was installed at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

“I am proud that a painting of our very own Silver Springs welcomes people to the US Embassy in Turkey, and that a spring serves a symbol for our nation,” said Tolbert.

Conservation in Action

National Geographic Explorer and geology professor Dr. Jason Gulley spoke about the science of the springs and how the successful restoration project in Crystal River gives him hope about the future of Florida’s springs.

Crystal River got its name because the water was turquoise and crystal clear. But due to some poor decisions about waste water and sewage treatment, algae smothered the aquatic grasses that were the foundation of the healthy, spring fed estuary. It got so bad, if you held your hand in front of your face, you could barely see your hand.

Jason Gulley, PhD

National Geographic Explorer, Geology Professor, Cave Diver

 

The restoration project at Crystal River has become the model for the rest of the state. Dr. Gulley’s photograph of a mother manatee and her calf was taken in the restored Hunter Springs, which is located in Crystal River. The photo is among several highly commended in the BBC’s 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

From Tiny Acorns, Mighty Oaks Grow

Horse Farms Forever was honored to present the Acorn Award to Guy Marwick because through his decades-long leadership, he has helped protect thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive land in Marion County and across Florida. Guy, who now serves as the Executive Director of The Felburn Foundation, was the original Founder and Director of the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center. The museum opened over 30 years ago in 1991 as a partnership with Marion County Public Schools and over 15,000 children visit the museum every year.

(L to R): HFF President Bernie Little, Guy Marwick, President of the Great Florida Riverway Trust, Margaret Spontak.

 

Springs Forever! Poster Contest

To help nurture and encourage the next generation, Horse Farms Forever sponsored a poster and essay contest for all K-12 students in partnership with the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictThe winners were presented with ribbons and gift certificates.

Division 10th–12th:

  • 1st Place: Julianna Butler (Dunnellon)
  • 2nd Place: Matthew Bishop (Acceleration Academy)

Division 7th–9th:

  • 1st Place: Laylia Johnson (Fort McCoy)
  • 2nd Place: Mia L Senteno (North Marion)

Division 4th–6th:

  • 1st Place: Lilly Dubon (Reddick)
  • 2nd Place: Lucas Butler (Dunnellon)
  • 3rd Place: Taelor Crawford (Reddick)

Division 2nd–3rd:

  • 1st Place: Sloane Freeman (Reddick)
  • 2nd Place: Lexi Smith (Sparr)
  • 3rd Place: Hannah Bowman (Sparr)

Division K–1st:

  • 1st Place: Logan Freeman (Reddick)
  • 2nd Place: Leo Plaskett (Anthony)

The Vital Connection Between Springs and Farmland

The purpose of this year’s Springs Forever! Conservation Summit was to create awareness about the Farmland Preservation Area and why it is not only the lifeblood for the horse industry, but it is also the lifeblood for our springs and the groundwater for the citizens of Marion County.

Thank you for joining us!

And a big THANK-YOU to our Title Sponsor, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation and our Presenting Sponsor, Advent Health Ocala!

GALLERY

Photos by Sean Dowie Photography

AdventHealth made a compelling presentation about their new Harnessing Health Equine Worker Health Initiative at the Summit. www.HarnessingHealthOcala.com

L to R: Amy Mangan, Executive Director, AdventHealth Ocala Foundation, Erika Skula, President & CEO, and Billye Mallory, Community Relations Manager

Mermaid Britt Renee with Alice Sasnett-Valle, Gifted Educator & Enrichment Facilitator and the students from Reddick -Collier Elementary

A big THANK-YOU to our Title Sponsor, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation and our Presenting Sponsor, Advent Health Ocala!

And to all our Sponsors:

GOLD

kinsman Farm Horse Farms Forever Ocala Marion County
Live Oak Stud Ocala Marion County Florida
Misty Lane Cattle Co.
Niall Brennan Farm Horse Farms Forever Ocala Marion County

Saint Bernard Foundation

Paul & Ann Kaplan

Matt & Courtney Varney

Bill Kearns

Nicole Hornblower

SILVER

Imagine

BRONZE

MARKETING PARTNERS