FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 1, 2012
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
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