FLORIDA PARK SERVICE HONORS VOLUNTEERS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2012

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

FLORIDA PARK SERVICE HONORS VOLUNTEERS

~Statewide appreciation picnics held to honor volunteers and present awards~

Volunteer Picnic at Wekiwa Springs State Park

Florida State Parks volunteers from the central region of the state enjoy an appreciation picnic at Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka on Saturday, Feb. 18.


TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Friends of Florida State Parks (FFSP) Volunteer Awards. Winners have been recognized during five special volunteer appreciation picnics throughout the state.
“I’m so proud that we take the time to tell our volunteers how much we appreciate them and their immeasurable contribution to Florida’s state park system,” said DEP’s Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “They give their time, expertise and passion to Florida’s natural and cultural resources and these picnics are the perfect opportunity to tell our volunteers thank you.”
The Florida Park Service hosts annual volunteer appreciation picnics in each of the five state park regions to recognize the invaluable contribution of the members of the Florida State Parks volunteer corps, which includes more than 7,200 regular service volunteers. Regular service volunteers are those who regularly commit to working in state parks, from staffing a ranger station, driving a tour boat or supporting land management activities. Last year, volunteers contributed nearly 1.3 million hours to the state park system.
The volunteer appreciation picnics took place on Feb. 18 at Wekiwa Springs State Park for the central region, March 3 at Paynes Creek Historic State Park for the southwest region, March 10 at Orman House Historic State Park for the northwest region, March 24 at Little Talbot Island State Park for the northeast region and March 31 at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park for the southeast region.
During the volunteer appreciation picnics, the Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. presented their annual awards to individuals and groups whose volunteerism has made a significant impact in the past year. The winners are selected via nomination by the FFSP Recognition Committee in eight categories. The 2011 winners are:

Citizen Support Organization of the Year

The Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park, Inc., Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

 

CSO/Park Short Term Project of the Year

Manatee Viewing and Interpretive Overlook, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park; and Wesley House Column Restoration Project, Eden Gardens State Park

 

CSO/Park Long Term Project of the Year

La Chua Trail Improvements, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

 

Special Volunteer Event of the Year

FireFest: Prescribed Fire Awareness Festival, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

 

Volunteer Team of the Year

Birch Resident Volunteer Team, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

 

Female Youth Volunteer of the Year

Teakahla WhiteCloud, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

 

Male Youth Volunteer of the Year

Casey DeGiantomasso , Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

 

Adult Volunteer of the Year

Myra Rhodes, Henderson Beach State Park


Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. is a nonprofit citizen support organization formed in support of the entire Florida State Park system. The FFSP is recognized as the leading advocate of the Florida Park Service to ensure the existence of the Real Florida for future generations by: preserving and protecting state parks; educating residents and visitors about the importance of state parks; creating community support for state parks. FFSP provides financial support to the state park system which supplements, not supplants, state funding and ensures inclusion of, and accessibility to, the full enjoyment of the parks' natural and cultural resources for all persons.