FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 9, 2018

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

Celebrate Family Fun Month in Florida's Great Outdoors

~State parks and aquatic resources welcome all visitors~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites residents and visitors to celebrate Family Fun Month in August by exploring Florida's statewide network of parks, trails and aquatic resources.

With a new school year on the horizon, August is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy any of Florida's 175 state parks, 41 aquatic preserves and three national estuarine research reserves. Family Fun Month recognizes the importance of family activities, and opportunities for hiking, swimming, picnicking, paddling and more are available year-round in Florida.

"DEP is proud to offer many opportunities for residents and visitors to spend time outside," said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. "From our award-winning state parks to our aquatic resources, families can enjoy Florida's natural beauty."

Family-friendly activities during Family Fun Month at state parks include:

• Kids Corner Environmental Activities, Friday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park.
• Pickin' in the Park, Sunday, Aug. 19, 1 p.m. at Silver Springs State Park. 
• Junior Ranger Program, Sunday, Aug. 19, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park. 
• Nature Trail Walk, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 8 a.m. to noon at Curry Hammock State Park. 
• Nature Adventures, Saturday, Aug. 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

Florida's national estuarine research reserves also offer activities during Family Fun Month:

• Family Seining, Aug. 11 or Aug. 24, 9 to 11 a.m. at Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve.
• Seagrass Exploration, Aug. 16, 1 to 4 p.m. at Apalachicola National Estuarine 
• BOGO Admission Day, Aug. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rookery Bay Research Reserve.
• Beach Walk, Aug. 18, 9  to 11 a.m. at GTM Research Reserve.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at https://floridadep.gov/

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/2048580