FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 23, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY TO HIGHLIGHT VOLUNTEERISM

~Sixty-six volunteer events happening this Saturday in state parks across Florida~

TALLAHASSEE – On Saturday, the nation will observe and celebrate National Public Lands Day. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks have joined with the Friends of Florida State Parks, the National Environmental Education Foundation and many other citizen support organizations across the state to host 66 events at Florida’s state parks.

“For more than 20 years, residents and visitors have recognized the importance of volunteering on National Public Lands Day,” said Donald Forgione, director of the Florida Park Service. “This year, we join with the Friends of Florida State Parks and park volunteer groups to offer an opportunity for citizens to spend time in parks, working to restore and maintain the landscape for all to enjoy.”

Volunteers will come to Florida’s state parks to participate in the largest nationwide, single-day volunteer effort to clean up public lands. For more than 20 years, volunteers of all ages have collected tons of trash, cleared thousands of invasive plants and contributed millions of hours through their collective efforts.

The Florida Park Service is proud to hold multiple events throughout the state. In 2013, Florida’s state parks held more than 70 National Public Lands Day events with more than 1,550 volunteers contributing 6,740 hours of time picking up litter, conducting trail maintenance, landscaping grounds and removing invasive exotic plants.

This year, many of Florida’s state parks are offering activities, which include restoration projects, recreational lessons, informational speakers, kids’ activities, live music and plenty of chances for volunteers to assist with National Public Lands Day.

Below are some of the many events happening this Saturday. For a complete list, click here. 

Northwest Florida

• Trail maintenance for the Lake Overstreet Trail at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Cleanup at Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
• Coastal cleanup at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park in St. George Island from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Beach cleanup at St. Andrews State Park in Panama City from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Northeast Florida

• Redesign planter beds at Cedar Key Museum State Park in Cedar Key from 8 a.m. to noon.
• Cleanup at Crystal River Archaeological State Park in Crystal River from 8 a.m. to noon.
• Historic road and flower bed restoration at Dudley Farm Historic State Park in Newberry from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Water lettuce removal volunteer workday at Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Central Florida

• Butterfly garden restoration at Colt Creek State Park in Lakeland at 9 a.m.
• Morning beach exploration and clean up at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach at 9 a.m.
• First volunteer project at Hontoon Island State Park in Deland from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Landscape restoration at Lake Griffin State Park in Fruitland Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Southwest Florida

• Coastal cleanup at Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
• Service project including exotic removal, trail maintenance and sand pine removal at Seven Lakes at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
• Coastal cleanup at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
• Lake restoration at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

South Florida

• Trail maintenance at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park in Fort Pierce from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Removal of invasive and exotic plants at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Planting sea oats on the dune at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Butterfly garden improvements at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails

The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of three National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first three-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005 and 2013 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.

Florida’s 171 state parks and trails inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With 161 parks, 10 state trails, nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 1,500 miles of multi-use trails, visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. Download the Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app, available on iTunes and Android Market, to plan your trip and enhance your experience while visiting.  For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org 

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