TALLAHASSEE - With only four more shopping days left, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida State Parks is encouraging Floridians and visitors to give the gift of the great outdoors this holiday season. From annual entrance passes, to the state park passport, Florida State Parks can be a convenient alternative to the mall for last minute gift shopping for the nature enthusiast on every list.

"Whether for the nature lover on your list or the one relative who's always hard to buy for, Florida's state parks offer a few great options for affordable gift-giving," said DEP's Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. "An annual entrance pass, passport or a park gift shop stop will surely finish up the holiday shopping, leaving time to enjoy the great outdoors in one of Florida's 160 state parks."

Ideas for holiday gifts include:

• Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass
  The Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass can be purchased for a family ($120) or for an individual ($60) and gives the gift of nature-based recreation for one year.  To purchase an Annual Entrance Pass in time for Christmas, visit any state park ranger station or museum. For more details, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/annualpass/default.cfm.
• Florida State Parks Passport
  As a collector's journal, the Florida State Parks Passport allows outdoor enthusiasts to plan park visits, record special experiences and collect each park's unique stamp. Give the gift of state park memories this holiday season for only $9.95. To purchase a Florida State Parks Passport in time for Christmas, visit any state park ranger station or museum.
• Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. Membership
  A Friends of Florida State Parks membership is the perfect gift for the holidays or any other special occasion. Members of the Friends of Florida State Parks organization become part of the solution to preserving Florida's parks and open space for future generations. Members receive Florida Parks and Wildlife Magazine, a State Park Guide and free park passes matching the level of gift. The Friends will also plant a Long-leaf pine tree in a park in each new member's honor and send a gift card from to the recipient with all their goodies. To purchase a Friends membership for someone special, visit www.friendsoffloridastateparks.com.  For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org or call (850) 245-2157.

In 2010, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida State Parks is celebrating 75 years of recreation and preservation. Florida's 160 state parks offer white sandy beaches, vast open prairies, steep ravines, lush semi-tropical forests, cultural sites and crystal clear lakes, rivers and springs. State parks also offer countless locations to learn about Florida's cultural history and serve as outdoor classrooms for students of all ages. Affordable, family-friendly activities, such as swimming, hiking, bicycling, paddling, diving, fishing, camping, horseback riding, birding, photography, events and ranger-led tours are just a few ways people enjoy our natural resources.

To learn about 75th Anniversary events, contests and discounts visit www.FloridaStateParks.org and follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/FLStateParks.