SOUTHEAST FLORIDA STUDENTS CELEBRATE LITERACY AT THE GREAT FLORIDA BOOK HUNT

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 1, 2012

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

CONTACT: FWC Press Office, 850.488.9327

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA STUDENTS CELEBRATE LITERACY AT THE GREAT FLORIDA BOOK HUNT

~State Parks, FWC, Miami-Dade County Parks, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge hosted treasure hunt events for students~

PALM BEACH – Students in grades 1 though 5 in Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe County schools participated in the Great Florida Book Hunt at federal and state preserved lands to celebrate literacy and the adventure of reading.

“Thrilling adventures and historical characters are the perfect combination for books that can be enjoyed in many settings, including the outdoors,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “Reading a nature-themed book at a Florida State Park is one example of an exciting way for students to learn about the environment while improving literacy skills.”

Students in these counties read The Adventures of Charlie Pierce, a book series by fifth generation Floridian Harvey E. Oyer III that chronicles true life stories about a young explorer. Hosted by the the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service, Miami-Dade County Parks, and Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, students from these counties tested their knowledge of Florida history and brought a sense of adventure to the treasure hunts. 

“Exposing kids to reading about Florida’s history and wildlife resources is a gift that will last a lifetime,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Kenneth Wright. “The Adventures of Charlie Pierce will ignite the imagination within our youth and help foster the next generation that cares about the outdoors and the traditions we’ve so proudly inherited.”

The first student to find the treasure chest at each location received an autographed copy of the latest installment of the book series, entitled The Last Calusa. Books were donated by Shutts & Bowen law firm and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. All participants received a goodie bag filled with prizes from participating agencies including a state park pass.               

“Florida’s long, rich and diverse history is inextricably tied to its natural resources. The beautiful parks of Florida provided an ideal venue for hosting the Great Florida Book Hunt” said Harvey Oyer, the author of The Adventures of Charlie Pierce children’s book series.

Events were held simultaneously at the following locations in the Southeast:

 - Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Palm Beach County

 - J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County

 - Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County

 - John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in Palm Beach County

 - Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Broward County

 - The Barnacle Historic State Park in Miami-Dade County

 - Bahia Honda State Park in Monroe County

 - Greynolds Park, a Miami-Dade County Park

 - A.D. Barnes Park, a Miami-Dade County Park

 - Castellow Hammock Preserve & Nature Center, a Miami-Dade County Park