There are few places on earth as beautiful as the St. John’s River. It is an iconic waterway that spans over 300 miles and uniquely flows south to north. Historically, it served as a vital resource for the indigenous Timucua people, who relied on its rich ecosystem for food and transportation. During the 1800s, the river became a key route for trade, steamboat travel, and early tourism as settlers moved into Central Florida. Over time, urbanization and agriculture significantly altered its natural flow and ecology, prompting modern efforts to restore and protect this iconic river.
Create A Unified Voice
Enter Mighty River Recovery, MRR for short, based in DeLand, Florida, located near the middle basin of the St. John’s River - a non-profit organization focused on restoring fish and wildlife habitats along what locals refer to as “The River”. The organization aims to bring together outdoor enthusiasts to form a united voice in protecting and revitalizing ecosystems that have been heavily affected by rapid development. Powered by volunteers and community donations, the organization combines scientific research with hands-on restoration efforts to make an immediate impact. At the same time, it is committed to safeguarding the long-term health of the St. Johns River for future generations. Get Involved with Mighty River Recovery.
A Partnership for The River
I sat down with Mud Hole Vice President, Hunter McKamey recently, as he has spearheaded the partnership with Mighty River Recovery. When Hunter and I first met, he was a rising college fishing star at the University of Central Florida. Not only did he cut his teeth on the river but his parents had a great little place on the banks of the river we fondly referred to as “The Blue Bungalow”.
“After living on Lake Harney for five years and spending countless days fishing the St. Johns, I’ve witnessed the steady decline of the river firsthand—once full of native grass, now largely barren. That’s why I’m proud we’re partnering with Mighty River Recovery, a group that’s not just raising awareness for the St. John’s River, but driving real action to restore what’s been lost.”, - Hunter McKamey
Sadly, these declines in the river are not just in small pockets along the 300 miles, but widespread throughout the entire system. Not until anglers, river keepers, and other stakeholders throughout the entire system got together to share their experiences did we start to see similarities from the headwaters all the way to Jacksonville.
A Line in the Sand
Around five years ago, enough was enough. Joe Balog, founder of Mighty River Recovery and a well-known figure in the fishing media world, brought both industry insight and a degree in Fisheries Science to the table. This unique combination gave him early access to key conversations around fishery management. After relocating to DeLand, FL in 2015, Balog became actively involved with several government agencies responsible for overseeing Florida’s natural resources. His deep knowledge and hands-on experience continue to drive the mission of conservation and restoration.
In an excerpt from the press release announcing the partnership between Mud Hole and Mighty River Recovery, Joe shares his determination and his appreciation for the partnership with Mud Hole:
“Mighty River Recovery is truly focused on the actions that will restore the St. Johns. We’re performing the research, getting in the water, and doing the work to replenish the habitats that will rehabilitate the ecosystem” said Joe Balog, Mighty River Recovery’s Executive Director. “We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm that Hunter and the Mud Hole team are bringing to our organization, and we look forward to doing great things together for the St. Johns River.”
To read the full Mud Hole / Mighty River Recovery press release, click here.
Paving a New Way
Mud Hole has stepped up to support establishing the first five Citizens Enclosure Projects (CEPs) along the shores and riverbeds, providing for transparent, independent research to fully understand the issues affecting the St. Johns River. In addition, Mud Hole will be providing employee volunteers throughout the year to assist with the management and maintenance of the CEP locations and other Mighty River Recovery efforts. Finally, Mud Hole will also be offering Mighty River Recovery merchandise in its Oviedo, Florida retail showroom, with all profits going directly to Mighty River Recovery.
Want to get involved? The first step is to sign up for a free membership. Sign up now: Mighty River Recovery Membership. The future of the river is in your hands.
