FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 23, 2013
VOLUNTEERS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO BEAUTIFY PARKS DURING NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
~Floridians can join nationwide effort on its 20th anniversary to appreciate and volunteer at public lands around the state Saturday.~
Volunteers clear a trail during National Public Lands Day in 2012.
TALLAHASSEE –The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida
Park Service and the Friends
of Florida State Parks will celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Public Lands Day on
Saturday, Sept. 28. As proclaimed by Governor Rick Scott, residents are invited
to volunteer and participate in a variety of activities planned at more than 70 of Florida's award-winning
state parks.
In coordination with the National
Environmental Education Foundation, National Public Lands Day invites volunteers
to join ranks and improve the publicly-owned lands where our state parks
provide recreation, outdoor education and relaxation. For the past 20 years,
this day has provided an opportunity for citizens of all ages to help preserve
the lands of this nation.
“It is such a joy to take part in
National Public Lands Day. It is a wonderful chance for the residents and visitors of Florida
to engage in restoring and preserving our public lands,” said
Donald Forgione, Director of the Florida Park Service, "It is also great
to partner with the Friends of Florida State Parks and the 84 Friends groups
around the state who are helping to coordinate this effort."
By contributing time in one of Florida’s many state parks,
volunteers can restore Florida in many different ways. More than 70 events offered
throughout the state provide the chance to remove trash and invasive plants,
pick up litter surrounding the parks and plant trees and other foliage along the trails. In addition, demonstrations, exhibits, activities and complimentary
snacks will be provided at various events.
Below is a sampling of events taking place within Florida
State Parks on Saturday, Sept. 28:
Northwest Florida
Big Lagoon State
Park, Pensacola, 9:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m.
Trash pick-up along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf
Beach Highway and hiking trail maintenance.
Dr. Julian
G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pick up litter along the bay side of St. George Island State
Park.
Florida
Caverns State Park, Marianna, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nature trail clean up, native animal exhibit and cave clean
up.
Northeast Florida
Fort
George Island Cultural State Park, Jacksonville, 10 a.m.
Nature Photography and leisurely stroll on the Fairway Loop
Trail to learn techniques and capture the beauty of the maritime forest and
salt marsh. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., learn about the impact of invasive exotic plants and have an opportunity to remove some of the invaders.
Manatee
Springs State Park, Chiefland, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Great Suwannee River Clean-Up. Join us for a river
clean-up along the Suwannee River.
Mike Roess Gold
Head Branch State Park, Keystone Heights, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Florida Trail Hike & Habitat Restoration. Restore the
Sandhill habitat by removing invasive hardwood shrubs and an accumulation of
slash in the understory.
O’Leno
State Park, High Springs, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
River cleanup along the banks of the Santa Fe River.
Paynes
Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
National Public Lands Day Weed Removal! Removal of the
exotic plant, Coral Ardisia.
Central Florida
Bulow
Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, Ormond Beach, 10 to 11 .am.
National Public Lands Day Walk. One hour walking tour of the
historic sugar mill ruins of the 1800s.
Lake Louisa
State Park, Clermont, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Removal of the invasive latana bush.
Silver River
State Park, Ocala, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Silver Green Trail Project. Trail clearing, maintenance, and
exotic plant control.
Tomoka
State Park, Ormond Beach, 10 a.m.
National Public Lands Day Walk. One mile nature trail walk
with a Ranger explaining flora, fauna and Tomoka State Park’s history.
Wekiwa
Springs State Park, Apopka, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Scavenger hunt activity with cameras while collecting litter
along the trails.
Cross
Florida Greenway, Landbridge Clean Up, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Clean up the Landbridge Trail Head parking areas and along
the lime rock road trimming, clearing and mowing.
Southwest Florida
Highlands
Hammock State Park, Sebring, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Trail Maintenance. Trim back protruding cabbage and palm
fronds and overhanging vines from hiking trails of the Loop Drive. Or participate in the Florida Scrub-Jay Habitat Restoration Event. Cutting down
Sand Pines and letting them naturally decompose in known Florida Scrub-Jay
nesting areas.
Hillsborough
River State Park, Thonotosassa, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pulling invasive weeds with AmeriCorps team members.
Oscar Scherer
State Park, Osprey, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Live music, tram tours and work service project
opportunities for volunteers. Demonstration and informational booths for businesses
and organizations. Activities for children.
South Florida
Fort Pierce
Inlet State Park, Fort Pierce, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Remove litter, establish trail markers and trim overgrown
vegetation.
John D.
MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, 9 to 11 a.m.
Planting native vegetation in front of then park’s primary
dunes.
Jonathan
Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
National Public Lands Day/Make a Difference! Hand-pulling,
shoveling and clipping plants and hauling loads for disposal.
Visit our website for a
complete list of National Public Lands Day events in Florida's state parks.
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