National Record Set by Volunteers at Florida State Parks

“State park volunteers help preserve our natural, historical and cultural resources for generations to come,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “The tireless work of thousands helped our award-winning parks recover quickly from four disastrous hurricanes last year, re-opening many parks within days of impact.”

More than 6,000 park volunteers help maintain the natural beauty of Florida's beaches, waterways and trails. Volunteers assist in a variety of ways, participating as interpreters, educators, tour guides, greeters, landscape artists, wildlife caretakers and invasive plant removers.

“Florida state parks continue to grow, leading the way in volunteer support across the country,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Florida is proving that investing in environmental protection and outdoor recreation connects communities and improves our quality of life.”

Following are some of Central Florida’s exceptional park volunteers, who have donated more than 20,420 hours throughout their years of service and saved taxpayers more than $351,000.

• Leo Seaman and Ally Holloway, Anastasia State Park
  Leo Seaman and Ally Holloway have volunteered with Friends of Anastasia for almost two years. Seaman is secretary and website designer for the organization while Holloway is a member of the finance committee. Both support the park by organizing special events and contributing to roadside cleanup. After volunteering together for several months, they were engaged on the shores of Anastasia’s beach.

• Val and Cecile Giguere, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
  Val and Cecile are longtime volunteers at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

  They are currently designing a Bear Cottage to be used for the Holiday in the Gardens event. The pair works at all special events and workshops with the Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Val was recently recognized as Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Volunteer of the Year at the Park's Appreciation Picnic in March.

• Doug Sphar, William Beardall Tosohatchee State Reserve
  Doug Sphar has provided more than a quarter century of volunteer service to Tosohatchee State Reserve. Doug was a member of the volunteer team that constructed the initial trail system in 1979. An avid canoeist and coauthor of Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to the Rivers and Streams of Florida, he participates in the Division of Recreation and Parks Recreational User Group.

• Butterfly Garden Group, Lake Louisa State Park
  During the spring of 2003, Chris Parker, Rudy Parker and Melanie Simon from the Friends of Lake Louisa State Park created a committee to create an interpretive butterfly garden that would represent the natural communities found at the state park. Two years later the garden is a haven for all types of pollinators, including butterflies. The Friends of Lake Louisa State Park’s butterfly garden committee has contributed more than 600 hours of volunteer service in the design, planning, construction and planting of the garden.

Nominated as a finalist for the Gold Medal award honoring the Nation’s Best State Park Service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 159 parks spanning more than 720,000 acres and more than 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage.

To plan a visit to a Florida State Park, volunteer, hike, bike or join a turtle walk, or to find out about park events and festivals, visit www.floridastateparks.org.