October 30, 2014 Florida State Parks Newsletter

Fall colors in Florida State Parks

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

October 30, 2014 Newsletter

Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11

~Enjoy free entry at Florida State Parks on Veterans Day.~   

Three Soldiers Detail statue at Orman House Historic State Park.
The Three Soldiers Detail at Orman House Historic State Park.

Every year, citizens across the United States take a day out of their busy lives to honor and thank those who have served in the United States military. Veterans Day honors and demonstrates respect for those who have served our nation and focuses on celebrating their lives and commitment to the United States. This year, Veterans Day will be observed on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Veterans Day began as a commemoration of the point in which an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. After much deliberation between what the day should officially be named and when it should be held, the United States officially recognized Nov. 11 as Veterans Day every year.

The Florida Park Service is proud to observe Veterans Day each year by offering a day of free entry for everyone into any Florida state park, excluding Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, on Nov. 11. The Florida Park Service encourages visitors to celebrate the day in a state park, while remembering the sacrifices United States veterans have made throughout history.

Gather family and friends on Nov. 11 and enjoy free entry to a state park. You can go for a hike, take a tour or plan a special red, white and blue themed picnic in a Florida state park. Also, while you are spending your day off in nature, remember to thank military personnel for their service and commitment to the United States.

 

View the Beautiful Nature of Florida State Parks

~Discover the flora and fauna of Florida State Parks this November.~

A butterfly on a flower at Washington Oaks Gardens

A butterfly perched on a flower at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

Florida’s state parks are known for their incomparable natural beauty. From South Florida’s mangrove swamps to Central Florida’s prairies and North Florida’s springs, Florida’s state parks provide plenty of reasons to discover nature throughout the state. Whether you are someone who wishes to capture the moment through a camera or a person who wants to soak in the sights and sounds of nature, Florida State Parks have an abundance of events to keep you occupied and loving the environment.

Participate in one of our many nature photography walks, where visitors can join photographers and other nature enthusiasts and work to capture the perfect photo at Big Talbot Island State Park or at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Visitors can also join in on Washington Oaks Gardens State Park’s Third Saturday Photo Challenge for a day-long photographic extravaganza.

Plant enthusiasts have many opportunities throughout the month to view the beautiful flora of Florida’s state parks. On the first of the month, visitors can join wildflower experts, Roger Hammer and Craig Huegel, for a stroll through Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park to learn more about the prairie wildflowers and other flora throughout the park. If you’re interested in learning more about which plants are native to Florida’s wildlife and environment, join the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach and learn about exotic plant removal and planting native plants in Florida.

Wildlife encounters and educational wildlife walks are prevalent throughout Florida's state parks in November. On three different occasions, visitors can meet at O’Leno State Park to meet the eastern screech owl, Peach. Bird walks at Bald Point State Park, Fort Cooper State Park, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Rainbow Springs State Park allow for visitors to learn more from bird enthusiasts and enjoy a nice walk through the park.

See a full list of events at the Florida State Parks events page and more events and times below:

  • Sat. Nov. 1 – Prairie Wildflower Walk with Roger Hammer and Craig Huegel at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in Okeechobee from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 1 – Snakes of North Florida at O’Leno State Park in High Springs at 2:00 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 1 – North Atlantic Right Whales at Fort George Island Cultural State Park in Jacksonville at 2:00 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 1 – Waterlogged: Manatees in Wetlands at San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park in St. Marks from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 1, Sat. Nov. 15 and Sat. Nov. 29 – Nature Photography at Big Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville at 10:00 a.m.

  • Thu. Nov. 6 – Dade Tree Walk at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in Bushnell from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 8, Sat. Nov. 22 and Sat. Nov. 29 – Wildlife Encounters at O’Leno State Park in High Springs at 10:00 a.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 8 – Nature Photography Workshop – Critters in the Park at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 8 – Plant This Not That at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach in Flagler Beach from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 15 – A Guided Walk with the Shorebirds at Bald Point State Park in Alligator Point from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 15 – Talbot Critters at Fort George Island Cultural State Park in Jacksonville at 2:00 p.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 15 – Third Saturday Photo Challenge at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park in Palm Coast from 8:00 a.m. until sunset.

  • Sat. Nov. 22 – Bird Walk at Fort Cooper State Park in Inverness at 8:00 a.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 22 – Monthly Bird Walk on Pepper Creek Trail at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Homosassa from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m.

  • Sat. Nov. 29 – Bird Walk with Citrus County Audubon at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon at 8:00 a.m.

  • Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 27

    ~Florida State Parks are open for Thanksgiving.~   

    A turkey at Kissimmee Prairie
    A turkey at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.

    On Thursday, Nov. 27, many families in America will join together for Thanksgiving Day. The Florida Park Service invites you to plan a picnic in a park with Thanksgiving food and enjoy the fall air as you give thanks with family and friends. The Florida Park Service would like to remind visitors that most of Florida’s state parks will be open on Thanksgiving Day. After you finish your Thanksgiving meal, enjoy the many recreational opportunities offered at Florida’s state parks.

    Most of Florida's state parks will be open during their regular hours of 8:00 a.m. to sunset.

    See below parks that will be open, but will not be offering all regular services:

  • De Leon Springs State Park in De Leon Springs - Sugarmill Restaurant closed 

  • Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna - No cave tours

  • Fort George Island Cultural State Park in Jacksonville - Ribault Clubhouse closed

  • Gamble Plantation Historic State Park in Ellenton - Mansion closed

  • Gasparilla Island State Park in Boca Grande - Lighthouse museum closed

  • Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek - No guided tours

  • See below the parks that will be closed on Thanksgiving day:

  • Constitution Convention Museum State Park in Port St. Joe

  • Forest Capital Museum State Park in Perry

  • John Gorrie Museum State Park in Apalachicola

  • Orman House Historic State Park in Apalachicola

  • San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park in St. Marks

  • The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove

  • Ybor City Museum State Park in Tampa

  • Have a happy Thanksgiving.

     
     
    More Events in November

    Upcoming Special Events

    Other Important News

      Mobile App for Smartphones Plan your state park adventures using the new Pocket Ranger® app for your smartphone.The FREE Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app is available now on iTunes, Android Market and PocketRanger.com.

       

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