All across Florida exciting events were held in the state parks to celebrate this special day.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Martin County, Florida
Earth Day Tree Planting
Earth Day 2012, in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, made a huge impact! The AmeriCorps Members from District Five Administration, Atlantic Ridge, and Jonathan Dickinson State Parks teamed up to make the event happen. On Saturday, April 21, with the help of more than 70 volunteers including local Boy and Girl Scout Troops, close to 1,000 plants were put in the ground at Pine Grove Campground.
It started out as what we thought would be a small project, but as the day of the event approached, the donations just kept coming in! Local nurseries, native plant growers, supermarkets and a bagel shop (Blue Water Garden Center, MSA Nursery, Art By Nature Garden Center, Classic Growers, Jenkins Landscape Co., Lowes, Indian Trails Nursery, The Nature Conservancy, Bagel Bistro, Inc. and Publix Supermarkets) provided plants, trees, and refreshments to help make the event a success. Now that the event is over, an extensive watering plan is in place to ensure that the new plants thrive until the summer rains begin. We couldn't have done it without the support from the donors and all the volunteers that lent a hand.
Fort Clinch State Park 
Duval County, Florida
Wild Amelia Adopt-a-Shore Beach Cleanup
Fort Clinch State Park had a fantastic turnout for our Earth Day Beach Cleanup. There were over 75 participants from 5 Nassau County Girl Scout troops, Wild Amelia Nature Festival members and local citizens. Photos submitted by volunteer, Len Kreger.
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Dade County, FL
The Barnacle celebrated Earth Day with a festival featuring earth-friendly exhibits, music, kids' crafts, and a lovely day in the park for families and volunteers. The highlight of the event was the release of four healthy pelicans who had recovered at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. PHSS is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in and around Miami's Biscayne Bay.
Each bird's return to his/her natural habitat was quite moving. One of the birds had been rescued twice - the first time from the BP oil spill in the Gulf and more recently in Biscayne Bay. Park visitors watched in anticipation and appreciation as each bird was coaxed from their travelling crates and then soared beautifully from the shore out across the Bay. Many family memories were made this day.
Oscar Scherer State Park
Sarasota County, Florida
23rd Annual Earth Day Celebration
The 23rd Annual Earth Day Celebration at Oscar Scherer State Park was a huge success. We had the opportunity to share our wonderful park with 3,264 visitors. The Friends of Oscar Scherer Park Inc. made about $1,000 in food and tram ticket sales. We did not make the hands around the lake but did manage at least hands across the beach. This event is a perfect example of great teamwork. Everyone did their part to make the park shine and help raise awareness of the Earth and the park. A special thank you to Diana for keeping the team focused on our mission.
The recent recession has left many state services hurting and Florida's State Parks are no exception. While valiant efforts have been made to maintain our parks despite heavy staff and funding cuts, the capital infrastructure and repair needs have grown significantly. Our partners at eco Volunteer USA have collected information about the most pressing needs in our park system. With your help, we can begin to close the funding gap and get on with preserving our precious park places. Below is a list of the park projects in need of support & funding. If you are part of a business, or a community organization that would like to help, please contact us. Below is a list of the park projects in need of support & funding. If you are part of a business, or a community organization that would like to help, please contact us.
Sponsorship Levels
Costs include project materials, marketing and volunteer coordination. In-kind donations of materials are gratefully accepted.
$100,000 or more: Presenting Sponsor --
-- Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park - Jacksonville - Visitors center for interpretive displays and brochures
-- Amelia Island State Park - Jacksonville - A recycled composite lumber boardwalk to the beach
-- Hillsborough River State Park - Tampa - Solar hot water/electric conversion of main bathhouse
-- Oleta River State Park - Miami - Solar electric system for the park's maintenance workshop
-- Blue Spring State Park - Orlando - Green pavilion/outdoor classroom renovation
$75,000: Green Benefactor:
-- John U. Lloyd Beach State Park - Dania Beach - Recycled composite lumber boardwalk replacement
$50,000: Green Investor:
-- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Gainesville - Visitor center project matches an existing grant to re-design exhibits to improve ADA accessibility
-- Little Talbot Island State Park - Jacksonville - Six 120 gallon solar hot water for bathhouses
-- Big Talbot Island State Park - Jacksonville - Recycled composite lumber ADA boardwalk to beach
-- Lake Louisa State Park - Orlando - ADA compatible playground
-- Hillsborough River State Park - Tampa - Solar hot water heater/electric conversion for residence
-- Cayo Costa State Park - Ft. Myers - Replace diesel power generators with solar
-- Oleta River State Park - Miami - Solar electric system for the ranger's station and admin office
-- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park - Miami - Replace wooden boardwalk and hand rails with recycled composite lumber and stainless hardware
$30,000: Green Sponsor:
-- Fort George Island Cultural State Park - Jacksonville - Stabilize the historic Rollins garage/lodge
-- Oscar Scherer State Park - Ft. Myers/Tampa - Three solar water heaters for campground baths
$20,000: Green Patron:
-- John U. Lloyd Beach State Park - Dania Beach - Education kiosk about recycling and recycle bins
-- St. George Island Cultural State Park - St. George Island - Two 120 gal. solar water heaters for bathhouses
$15,000: Green Friend:
-- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park - Ft. Lauderdale - ADA canoe and kayak launch, dock and gangway
-- Oleta River State Park - Miami - Two rain barrel style greenhouse irrigation systems
-- Little Talbot Island State Park - Jacksonville - Outdoor solar powered electronic information kiosks
-- Florida Caverns State Park - Marianna - 125 LED lights for the caverns
-- St. George Island Cultural State Park - St. George Island - Two 40 gallon solar water heaters for baths
-- St. Andrews State Park - Panama City - Boardwalk replaced with recycled composite lumber
-- Ybor City Museum State Park - Tampa - LED lighting for educational displays
$10,000: Green Contributor:
-- Big Talbot Island State Park - Jacksonville - Recycled composite lumber overlook at Horseshoe Bay
-- Little Talbot Island State Park - Jacksonville - Bike pavilion interpretive enhancements including benches, three interpretive panels, removable posting wall for posters/displays
-- Fort George Island Cultural State Park - Jacksonville - Add a compass rose in a walkway
-- Collier-Seminole State Park - Naples - Boardwalk preservation, stain a 1.5 mile boardwalk
$5,000: Bright Greens:
-- Rock Springs Run Reserve State Park - Orlando - Native plantings and exotic removal
-- De Leon Springs State Park - Orlando/Daytona - Native plantings and exotic removal
-- Oscar Scherer State Park - Ft. Myers/Tampa - Ten waterless urinal systems to save water
-- Cayo Costa State Park - Ft. Myers - Tree planting for shade in the campground
-- Lake Louisa State Park - Orlando - Native plantings and exotic plant removal
Show your love for Florida State Parks!
Visit www.lovemystateparks.org to share your personal story about an experience you've had at a Florida State Park. Perhaps you camped out with your grandfather when you were young, or learned to fish off a dock at a park, or simply had a splendid time the last time you took your kids to your local state park.
Share your story - and a photo, if you like - in a virtual online postcard that other visitors can read, comment on, tweet, and share on Facebook.
Share your story! Help your fellow Floridians - including your state leaders - understand the personal connections we all have with our parks.
Brought to you by Friends of Florida State Parks - the volunteer organization that assists and coordinates volunteer efforts throughout the entire Florida Park System - it's an easy way to express how you value our treasured resources, our own Florida State Parks.
