FOWR Member Spotlight - Mark Pafford!

President of Friends of the Wekiva River

Mark shared some of his background and hopes for the Wekiva Basin and answered a few other fun questions for us. Enjoy! 

Mark Pafford has played numerous roles in his professional career. As a CEO he led numerous non-profit organizations in local and federated capacities including various environmental and health care advocacy groups. He has been a public servant at federal and state levels. As an elected official, he spent eight years in Florida's legislature.

When not working his day job, Mark volunteers his time with the Friends of the Wekiva River. Currently he dabbles with wildlife videography in various places throughout the United States. One day he hopes to work with the National Park Service somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains.

What's your earliest memory of the Wekiva River?

Oddly the first time I really recall seeing the Wekiva River was about 7 years ago. I paddled it and then took a long hike at the State Park. Both were very memorable experiences, enough so that I continued to visit multiple times each year since.

What's your favorite animal and plant in the Wekiva Basin?

I don't have favorites because each animal and plant plays a distinct and important role. An example being the crawfish. The nutrition it provides to all types of animals up and down the food chain is critical to an ecosystem's long term health. Cypress trees provide cover and shelter to all kinds of wildlife, yet cattails clean water and absorb destructive nutrients from our water.

What do you wish people knew about the river?

That the river is slowly suffering from man's impact on the wekiva basin. That the river depends on man, us, to be its keeper and steward. Without our well intended and science based intervention, the river will become toxic to all it flows through and borders.

What's your favorite thing about the river?

The it remains largely intact after thousands of years, patiently awaiting our attention and care.

Favorite memory on the river?

Canoeing on a quiet Sunday morning 5 years ago. 

Biggest hope for the river's future?

That Friends of the Wekiva River (FOWR) and the communities that sit along its banks join together in a seamless effort to build smart and protective policies thus restoring the River and building a new culture of protection.

How and why did you get involved with FOWR?

I was invited to attend a FOWR board meeting a number of years ago and found that all volunteer board members and advisory members were genuinely concerned for the river's survival. I remain impressed and I'm constantly inspired by their dedication.

Do you have any unusual skills or hobbies?

I would like to think my years as a public servant in Tallahassee bring some unique skills to the table. However, at the end of the day, I enjoy disappearing into the wilderness as a way to find peace and calm.

What do you like to do for fun?

Gathering with my loved ones is at the top of the list. Second is pretending to be a Hollywood film producer/director making horribly amateurish documentaries on my YouTube channel, @WildJourneys.