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Record number of volunteer hours contribute to Florida’s State Parks

By Staff | Aug 12, 2009

Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service announced a new record for volunteer hours during the 2008-09 fiscal year. More than 6,000 volunteers contributed more than 1.2 million hours of service to Florida’s state parks last year – a 53,000 hour increase from the previous fiscal year and a record high for the park service.

“This record number demonstrates the outstanding commitment and stewardship to Florida’s environment demonstrated by state park volunteers,” said DEP’s Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “The contributions of park volunteers alongside our dedicated staff are sincerely appreciated and equate to roughly 581 full-time positions saving the state $24 million.”

Volunteers contribute to the Florida Park Service in a variety of ways to help maintain the natural beauty of Florida’s beaches, waterways and trails – participating as interpreters, tour guides, greeters, landscape artists and resource custodians.

“Florida’s state parks are the perfect venue for residents and visitors to spend time outdoors while giving back to local communities,” said Elaine McLaughlin, president of the Friends of Florida State Parks, the statewide citizen support organization for the Florida Park Service. “The Friends of Florida State Parks are pleased to be a part of this movement of volunteerism and commend state park management and staff for all of their hard work and achievements.”

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, most of which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include more than 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages.

To learn about volunteer opportunities and the statewide Friends’ organization that helps support state parks, visit www.friendsoffloridastateparks.com <http://www.friendsoffloridastateparks.com/> . For more information on Florida’s state parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org <http://www.floridastateparks.org> .

Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection