FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2015
FLORIDA PARK SERVICE
VOLUNTEERS LOG 1.3 MILLION HOURS TO HELP VISITORS ENJOY NATURE
~State parks volunteers recognized for service to Floridians and
visitors~
TALLAHASSEE – The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service recognizes
the invaluable contribution of the members of the Florida State Parks volunteer
corps. More than 30,717 volunteers help with a variety of tasks, including
picking up litter, landscaping park grounds and driving a tour boat. Last year,
volunteers contributed 1,307,005.5 hours to the state park system.
“Florida’s
state parks and trails are fortunate to have the most passionate and dedicated
volunteers. We thank our volunteers for their time and expertise in helping us
manage, protect and interpret Florida’s natural and cultural resources,” said
Donald Forgione, director of the Florida Park Service.
At
special events around the state, the Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. have
presented annual awards to individuals and groups whose volunteerism has made a
significant impact in the past year.
The
2014 winners are as follows:
- Dr.
Madeline Carr of Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, adult female volunteer
of the year
- Al
Pendergrass of Silver Springs State Park, adult male volunteer of the year
- Anna
Reeves of Oscar Scherer State Park, youth female volunteer of the year
- Justin
Lee of Savannas Preserve State Park, youth male volunteer of the year
- Friends
of Silver Springs State Park, Citizen Support Organization of the year
- Great
Outdoors Adventure Day at Lovers Key State Park, special event of the year
- Marine
Railway Restoration and Replica Skiff Construction at the Barnacle Historic
State Park, long-term project of the year
- Event
Tent and Parking Lot Lights Project at Dudley Farm Historic State Park, short-term
project of the year
-
Maintenance
Team at Silver Springs State Park, team of the year
Last fiscal year,
more than 27.1 million people visited Florida’s award-winning state parks and
trails, generating nearly $2.1 billion in direct economic impact. Florida State
Parks and Trails support 29,396 jobs for Floridians. For more information on
Florida’s state parks and trails, click here.
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