For Captain Karen Chadwick, Florida’s rivers are more than scenic waterways—they’re living storybooks, rich with history, wildlife, and the quiet power of nature. As the owner and operator of North Star Charters, Karen has made it her mission to share the beauty and significance of Florida’s waterways with others, guiding guests through landscapes that have shaped both the state’s natural heritage and her own life.
Captain Karen Chadwick gazes off the side of her boat on the Ocklawaha River. Photo by Alan Halaly
Karen grew up exploring the woods, and waterways around her home and her grandmother’s neighborhood in Sarasota, developing an early love for the outdoors that would become a lifelong passion. Today, she shares her deep knowledge of local ecology and history to create tours that are as educational as they are inspiring.
Bringing History and Nature to Life on the Water
From the Silver River and St. Johns River to Crystal River, Matanzas Inlet, Lochloosa Lake, and beyond, Karen navigates the waterways she knows best, pointing out everything from fossil-rich shorelines to the seasonal movements of manatees and migratory birds.
Karen going over the history of the river before boarding the boat with her group.
She has a gift for connecting people to place, revealing not just the wildlife in view but also the forces of time, geology, and human history that have shaped each waterway. Aboard her skiff every trip becomes a moving classroom, immersing passengers of all ages in the same sense of wonder and discovery that first inspired her love for Florida’s rivers.
Championing the Ocklawaha and Springs Restoration
Her passion extends far beyond the helm of her boat. Karen is an active conservationist and has worked with groups including the Florida Defenders of the Environment and St. Johns Riverkeeper. She has been a strong voice for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River, Florida’s longest free-flowing river, advocating for the removal of the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam to reconnect natural habitats, improve water quality, and restore historic fish migrations.
Captain Karen Chadwick with a map of the Ocklawaha River
Karen’s connection to the Florida Wildlife Federation goes beyond shared conservation values. She has generously sponsored special boat outings for FWF members and supporters, giving them the opportunity to experience Florida’s rivers firsthand. These trips not only showcase the beauty and biodiversity of our waterways, but also inspire participants to become stronger advocates for protecting them.
Through her tours and advocacy, Karen inspires others to care for the waterways that define Florida’s landscape. By helping people experience these places up close, she sparks a personal connection and with it, a desire to protect them for future generations. Karen’s work reminds us that Florida’s rivers are not only treasures to explore, but also responsibilities to protect.
To learn more or book a tour with Captain Karen, visit North Star Charters.
