Florida State Parks Foundation Showcases Volunteer Achievements in April

Friday, April 5, 2024

Today, the Florida State Parks Foundation is excited to designate April as a month to honor and appreciate the myriad of volunteers who generously contribute their skills, efforts, and enthusiasm to the state’s 175 renowned parks, trails, and historical landmarks.

In the fiscal period of 2022-23, an impressive cadre of nearly 20,000 registered volunteers dedicated a staggering total of 1,038,878 hours of service. The volunteers at Florida State Parks encompass a diverse group of individuals of varying ages and capabilities. The parks offer a broad spectrum of volunteering options across the Florida Park Service’s primary areas of focus: guest relations, administrative duties, environmental stewardship, safeguarding resources, and upkeep tasks.

This past week saw the coming together of Brennan, board members Lynn Cherry and Gil Ziffer, along with Foundation CEO Julia Gill Woodward, for a recognition event hosted by Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher. The celebration was held at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley, situated in the District 1 area (Northwest/Panhandle), and recognized the region’s volunteers.

The event attracted close to 100 attendees at the venue, noted for hosting the state’s tallest waterfall. Participants enjoyed a luncheon coupled with an award ceremony. The Foundation is proud to support this event along with four other regional events across the Northeast, Central, Southwest, and Southeast areas annually.

Florida State Parks offer a wide array of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, catering to various interests and skills. Some of the roles available for regular volunteers include:

• Assisting at the ranger station.
• Helping with park upkeep.
• Organizing special events.
• Leading tours or educational programs.
• Removing invasive species.
• Patrolling beaches, waterways, or trails.
• Engaging in internships.

Additionally, parks that provide overnight facilities often require the assistance of resident campground hosts. For those interested in contributing their time and making a difference, more details can be found on the official Florida State Parks volunteer website.

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