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⚓ Along Jacksonville’s Working Waterfront

As we moved along the river, we passed a portion of Jacksonville’s port industry — a reminder that the St. Johns River is not only a natural ecosystem, but also a vital economic corridor.

From commerce to conservation, this river carries it all. 🌊

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🌉 Passing the Mathews Bridge

As we made our way past the Mathews Bridge, we moved deeper along the St. Johns River — taking in new perspectives of the city from the water. 🌊

This area is also home to a smaller community living directly on the river — our neighbors in houseboats who call the St. Johns home.

A powerful reminder that this river is not only an ecosystem, but a living space — where infrastructure, nature, and community all exist side by side.

Different views, shared waters. ✨

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🏝️ Exchange Island

A quiet view of Exchange Island along the St. Johns River — where the water sparkles, the trees hold steady, and the pace slows down. 🌊

Accessible only by boat, spaces like this remind us of the natural beauty that exists just beyond our everyday routes.

Stillness is part of the experience too. 🌿✨

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 🌊  Eastside Project One Health Eco-Excursion – St. John’s River

A beautiful day on the St. John’s River with our Eastside community! 🌞

We brought together 30 adults and 34 children — from 8 months to 80 years old — for an intergenerational experience rooted in curiosity, connection, and environmental learning. From start to finish, our group was engaged, asking questions, and building a deeper relationship with one of Jacksonville’s greatest natural assets.

Thank you to St. John’s Riverkeeper and the River Taxi for helping make this experience possible.

This is what it looks like when community, nature, and learning come together. 🌿💧

More river days ahead.

The St. Johns River is not a distant destination — it is directly adjacent to the Historic Eastside, “OutEast” community. Located just east of Downtown Jacksonville along the riverfront corridor, many Eastside neighborhoods are only minutes away from key access points, often within a 3–7 minute drive, and in some cases even within walking distance or a short bus ride. Landmarks like A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park and surrounding riverfront spaces physically connect the community to the water, reinforcing this close relationship.

This proximity matters. The river is not something our community visits once — it is a local, lived ecosystem that is part of our environmental reality, cultural history, and future. Experiences like our Eco-Excursion deepen that connection, reminding us that one of Jacksonville’s greatest natural resources is right in our backyard. With access comes opportunity — not just for a single moment of exposure, but for ongoing engagement, education, and stewardship rooted in place. 💧🌿

More river days ahead. ✨

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💙 In Community & With Family

Doing the work… and doing it with love. 🌿

Grateful to share this experience on the St. Johns River not only as a part of Eastside Project One Health, but alongside my family — learning, growing, and connecting together. ✨

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🌉 Under the Mathews Bridge

Passing beneath the Mathews Bridge gave us a powerful view of Jacksonville’s infrastructure from the water. 🌊

From above, it carries the city forward — but from below, we see the structure, the scale, and how it stands within the river’s ecosystem.

A reminder that our built environment and natural environment are always in conversation. ✨

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🌉 Passing the Mathews Bridge

As we made our way past the Mathews Bridge, we moved deeper along the St. Johns River — taking in new perspectives of the city from the water. 🌊

This area is also home to a smaller community living directly on the river — our neighbors in houseboats who call the St. Johns home.

A powerful reminder that this river is not only an ecosystem, but a living space — where infrastructure, nature, and community all exist side by side.

Different views, shared waters. ✨

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🌉 Passing the Mathews Bridge

As we made our way past the Mathews Bridge, we moved deeper along the St. Johns River — taking in new perspectives of the city from the water. 🌊

This area is also home to a smaller community living directly on the river — our neighbors in houseboats who call the St. Johns home.

A powerful reminder that this river is not only an ecosystem, but a living space — where infrastructure, nature, and community all exist side by side.

Different views, shared waters. ✨

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🦅 Learning to Read the River’s Wildlife

Cassie shared how an animal’s mouth tells a story — its shape reveals what it eats, how it hunts, and how it survives in its environment. 🌿

Along the St. Johns River, you may spot birds like ospreys, great egrets, great blue herons, and brown pelicans — each with uniquely shaped beaks adapted to their role in the ecosystem.

From beaks to behavior, every detail is part of the story.

When we learn to observe, the river begins to speak. 🌊✨

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🏝️ Exchange Island (aka “Rattlesnake Island”)

Passing by Exchange Island — a Duval County park only accessible by water — reminded us just how many hidden gems exist along the St. Johns River. 🌊

Nicknamed “Rattlesnake Island,” this unique space offers a glimpse into the wild, natural side of Jacksonville that many don’t often experience.

Cassie shared an important reminder: if you’re visiting, stay on the trails — rattlesnakes are typically found off-trail in more natural, undisturbed areas.

Learning the beauty of nature… and how to safely respect it. 🌿✨

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🌊 Building Curiosity on the Water

As we glided along the St. John’s River, the anticipation began to build… ✨

Cassie guided us deeper into understanding dolphins — from why they leap above the water, to how they shed layers of skin to stay hydrodynamic, to their breath control and communication through blowholes.

Before we ever saw them, we were already learning how they live.

You could feel it — the curiosity, the questions, the quiet excitement of what might be just ahead. 🐬💙

Learning first. Then the magic follows.

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🐬 When Learning Meets Magic

And then… the dolphins stayed. ✨

After speaking them into the space, Cassie joked she must have manifested them — but what followed was a powerful moment of real-time learning and wonder on the water. 🌊

We explored dolphin anatomy, learned about their social structures — from male pods to nursery groups — and watched them move together in community.

At one point, you can hear one of our little ones calling out for them to “come back”… and for a moment, it felt like they did. 💙

This is what it looks like when education comes alive — rooted in curiosity, culture, and connection to nature.

Less Screen Time. More Green (and Blue) Time. 🌿💧

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🐬 Eyes on the Water

Everyone leaned in, hoping to catch a glimpse of the dolphins as they moved through this spot. ✨

Thanks to our Captain, we were positioned perfectly — and the dolphins did not disappoint. 🌊

Moments like this bring out wonder in all of us.

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💙 Little Moments, Big Meaning

In the midst of our river journey, these two little ones found each other — a quiet moment of care, connection, and comfort. 🌿

This is what community looks like… even our youngest participants holding space for one another.

From 8 months to 80 years old — we grow together. ✨

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🌊 Heading Back, Full of Knowledge & Connection

After two amazing hours on the water, we headed back to shore with full hearts and curious minds. 🌞

From learning about our river ecosystem to sharing space across generations, this was more than a boat ride — it was a meaningful community experience.

The river taught. We listened. 💧🌿

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🐬 A Magical Moment on the St. John’s River

Near Exchange Island, we were greeted by a pod of dolphins — including babies! ✨

An unforgettable, real-time connection to the beauty and life of our river. 🌊💙

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🗺️ Understanding Our Watershed

A look at the St. Johns River Water Management District — helping us visualize just how expansive and connected our river system truly is. 🌊

From Central Florida all the way to Jacksonville, this watershed reminds us that what happens upstream impacts our community downstream.

Learning the map. Knowing our water. Protecting our future. 💧🌿

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🐬 Learning on the Water

Cassie sharing fun and engaging dolphin facts with our group as we experienced the river up close. 🌊✨

Curiosity in motion.

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🌿 Leadership in Action at John Love Early Learning

Principal McSwain, pictured with a portion of the 53 pounds of Southern collard greens harvested on February 26th, continues to lead a thriving campus where our three- and four-year-olds are growing right alongside their garden. 💚

Strong leadership. Healthy harvests. Joyful learners.

Eastside Project One Health at work. 🌱✨

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🌱 John Love Early Learning Center – Harvest Celebration! February 26, 2026 | 53 Pounds of Southern Collard GreensFifty-three pounds of beautiful Southern collard greens harvested straight from the garden beds at John Love Early Learning Center! 🌿💚 Our three- and four-year-olds are not just planting seeds — they are building relationships with soil, sunlight, and stewardship. The garden on their campus is thriving, and so is their curiosity. From watering routines to harvest day excitement, these young learners are developing early connections to food, health, and nature-based learning.This harvest reflects more than produce — it reflects:• Hands-on environmental education• Early childhood engagement in food systems• Strengthened campus garden infrastructure• Increased access to fresh, culturally familiar greens: 53 pounds grown. Dozens of tiny hands involved. A program running strong. 🌞🌱Less Screen Time. More Green Time. Eastside Project One Health in action.

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Project One Health is the Winston Family Foundation’s model for human health that centers on nurturing the vital connection between people and nature. Guided by the globally recognized One Health framework, we believe the health of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems are interconnected and interdependent. We envision a world where education, health, food, and other systems align with this guiding principle and prioritize human well-being at their core. This transformation starts by reconnecting children and adolescents with nature and reducing their screen time. Our goal is to help them flourish and become the generation that sustains this future.