FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2019

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

Florida Park Service Honors Park Volunteers in Northwest Florida

~Florida volunteers contribute more than 1.2 million hours of service annually~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In celebration of National Volunteer Month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is honoring northwest Florida individuals and groups with 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Awards for their invaluable contributions at Florida State Parks.

More than 14,400 state park volunteers and 82 Friends groups, or citizen support organizations (CSOs), contribute over 1.2 million hours of service annually. From painting cabins to leading nature hikes, volunteers help protect resources and improve visitor experiences at Florida's 175 state parks and trails. In addition to individual volunteers, a network of CSOs supports individual state parks or groups of parks.

In northwest Florida, the following volunteers and CSO were honored:

• The Friends of Emerald Coast State Parks won Citizen Support Organization of the Year for Resource-Based Recreation. The group has helped fund more than $200,000 in facility improvements at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou and Henderson Beach state parks, including installing sea turtle lighting and rebuilding boat docks, as well as trail enhancement projects.
• Noah Glenn was honored as Youth Volunteer of the Year for Protecting Visitor Safety. For his Eagle Scout project, he secured $10,000 in donations to build and install eight life ring stations at Henderson Beach State Park.
• Four volunteers were honored for contributing 20-plus years of service: Anne Ake and Vivian Steele for 25 years at St. Andrews State Park; Sue Kneller for 25 at Henderson Beach and Gannon Rocky Bayou state parks; and Donna Stiles for 20 years at Henderson Beach and Gannon Rocky Bayou state parks. 
• Bob and Dee Green were each honored for contributing 10,000-plus hours of service at Three Rivers, Torreya and Edward Ball Wakulla Springs state parks, assisting with projects such as hurricane recovery and cleanup events.
• The Florida State Park Foundation was recognized for assisting DEP staff following Hurricane Michael, including providing a $50,000 hardship fund for those most affected and collecting donations to aid in park recovery efforts. 
• The Florida Park Service Ranger Association was recognized for awarding 39 Florida Park Service staff and their families a total of $33,200 for financial recovery following Hurricane Michael.

Congratulations to the individuals and groups honored during the statewide 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Awards, sponsored by the Florida State Parks Foundation. Find more information about the 40-plus volunteers and Friends Groups that received statewide awards on the Volunteer Appreciation page of FloridaStateParks.org. 

Volunteers support and improve Florida State Parks with their time and talent. Learn how to get involved.

About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails 

The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of three National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first three-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005 and 2013 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.

Florida’s 175 state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 1,500 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. Download the Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app, available on iTunes and Android Market, to plan your trip and enhance your experience. For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/23d588c