The 13th Annual W2W/Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Awards will honor the legacy of Wes Skiles, a pioneering underwater explorer and passionate advocate for Florida’s freshwater springs. The evening at the Cade Museum will include recognition of this year’s award winners, each of whom will share a brief presentation about their work in water stewardship. Mark your calendar for Friday, October 24th from 6:00-8:30 pm.
Celebrating a Legacy of Exploration and Conservation
Florida is home to the largest convergence of freshwater springs on Earth, and among its most awe-inspiring natural wonders are the intricate underwater cave systems. Alachua County’s own Wes C. Skiles began diving at the age of eight and quickly rose to international prominence for his groundbreaking underwater cinematography and tireless efforts to raise awareness about springs conservation.
Tragically, Skiles passed away during a dive off Boynton Beach in 2010. In 2011, he was posthumously named “Explorer of the Year” by National Geographic, which had featured his work in several issues—including the award-winning August 2010 cover photo. Wes was also a beloved and engaging speaker at the Downtown Gainesville Rotary Club, inspiring the club to make clean water one of its core focus areas.
Honoring Water Stewardship in North Florida
Since 2012, the Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Awards have recognized outstanding contributions to water quality and conservation across North Florida. Nominations are accepted from Rotarians and past award recipients in three categories: individual, non-profit organization, and for-profit business. Winners receive a commemorative plaque and a cash prize in recognition of their exceptional achievements.
A Family and Community Commitment
Wes Skiles’ family continues to reside in High Springs, Florida, and his brother Jim remains an active member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville. Water & Sanitation and Supporting the Environment are two of Rotary International’s seven areas of focus. Through this annual event and ongoing support of water-related initiatives, the Downtown Gainesville club proudly carries forward Wes’s legacy of environmental stewardship.
Come celebrate the people and projects making a difference in our region’s water future—and honor the life of a man who helped us see the world beneath the surface.
Tickets are available from the Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville website, Facebook, or our Square link.
Hosted by: Rotary Club - Downtown Gainesville, Location: Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
Friday, October 24th; Time: 6:00 - 8:30 pm
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