Supporting Florida’s Award Winning State

Park System

Friends of Florida State Parks

www.friendsoffloridastateparks.com

1-800-338-1980

Who are the “Friends?”

•The leading advocate of the Florida Park Service

•Preserving and protecting state parks

•Educating residents, visitors and volunteers about the importance of state parks

•Creating community support for state parks

A nonprofit citizen support organization formed in support of the entire Florida State Park system.

Lake Griffin State Park

Friends Projects Examples

• Provide banking services for parks without a Citizen Support Organization (CSO)

• George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park

• Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

• Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area

• Kissimmee Prairie State Park

• Educate Legislators about the value of state parks to Florida citizens and visitors

• Help develop and sponsor new CSOs

• Sponsor annual CSO workshops for volunteer leaders in parks statewide

Dudley Farm Historic State Park

Where are the Friends involved?

160 Award Winning

State Parks

Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Recap:

• 702,730 acres managed

• 1,065 full-time employees

• 21.4 million visitors

• $43.6 million state park revenue

• 6,000+ volunteers

• 1,208,182 volunteer hours

Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Information:

• $1.05 billion economic impact

• 20,107 jobs generated Fort Clinch State Park

Supporting Florida’s Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

Welcome campers to

nearly 3,400 campsites and 230 cabins

Supporting Florida’s Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

Silver River State ParkAnastasia State Park

Present more than 14,000

park programs

Supporting Florida’s Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

Ravine Gardens State Park

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Offer more than 30 different types of resource-based

recreational activities

Supporting Florida’s Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

Rainbow Springs State Park

Lake Louisa State Park

Host family gatherings at

more than 225 picnic areas

Supporting Florida’s Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State

Park

Bald Point State Park

Manage more than 1,600 miles of trails and 100

miles of beaches

Supporting Florida’s Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Big Shoals State Park

Protecting Florida’s Natural Environment

Exotic Removal:

Almost 15,000 acres treated over the past three years

Highlands Hammock State Park

Prescribed Burning:

Reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires and maintaining fire dependent natural communities

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Protecting Florida’s Natural Environment

Rare Species Protection:

94% of Florida’s rarest species are represented in Florida State Parks.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

(Hawsbill Turtle hatchling)Collier-Seminole State Park

(Florida Panther kitten)

Protecting Florida’s Natural Environment

• 7 National Historic Landmarks

• Manager of more than 2,000 historic and archaeological resources

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

Protecting Florida’s Cultural Resources

• 58.7% of operating budget is supported through entry fees, camping and cabin rentals and concession outsourcing.

• $11.5 million in revenue from overnight accommodations

• 67 concessionaires and outfitters, generate

$5.5 million per year

in revenue

• Entry fees generate

• $14.8 million per year

How are Florida State Parks Supported?

De Leon Springs State Park

How do volunteers help?

With only one full time employee per 660 acres of state park land –volunteers are critical.

• 80 parks have their own citizen support organizations

• More than 6,000 volunteers contributed 1.2 million hours to state parks last year

Oscar Scherer State Park

Four Great Ways to Help

• Have your business join Friends of Florida State Parks as a corporate sponsor.

• Become a member yourself at the individual, family or patron level.

• Join your local state park Citizen Support Organization and get involved.

• Become a volunteer for your local state park.

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach

Supporting Florida’s Award Winning State

Parks System

Thank You

Friends of Florida State Parks

www.friendsoffloridastateparks.com

1-800-338-1980