About the Project
DeNaya Wilkerson, working in Ocala, Florida on the ancestral land of Silver Springs State Park, leads a choreography practice that responds to local waterway decline and community stewardship.
Water Issues
The two primary threats to the springs are nitrogen pollution and groundwater pumping. A large reduction in flow—vital for the springs’ ecology—has been observed; the health of the Silver Springs waterway has been declining since the park opened in 1878. Agriculture and development have introduced pollutants such as nitrate and caused sediment erosion. Conservation measures like minimizing foot traffic on vegetation and prohibiting swimming help limit human impact, but surrounding agricultural and lifestyle practices continue to pressure the ecosystem.
Choreography & Ecology
The movement vocabulary draws from the springs’ shifting flows and resident species. Manatees, gators, monkeys, paddle boards, kayakers, and glass-bottom boats inform timing, spatial choices, and ensemble interaction—creating work that responds to both place and environmental urgency.
Collaborators
Arts in Health Ocala Metro nonprofit, lead by Artist Practitioner DeNaya Wilkerson, in collaboration with Silver Springs State Park and Belleview high school Dance Program.
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