FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 11, 2002
DEP
Secretary Praises State Parks Volunteers
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS – Department
of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs
opened the 11th Annual Citizen Support
Organization (CSO) meeting with words of praise for the 78
groups that comprise the invaluable 5,000 member
volunteer-based organization that benefits Florida’s
State Parks.
"Your efforts have
raised $1.4 million for our state parks during the past
year and helped to improve our service to the
public," said Struhs.
CSOs are a non-profit group
of volunteers dedicated to generating additional support
for a particular park. They function in a variety of ways
depending on the specific needs of the park. CSO duties
include developing and promoting special events, raising
funds for equipment or renovations, and seeking grants.
They may also accept gifts and bequests of money on behalf
of the park, as well as tangible and real property.
"No other state park
system has such broad and deep support – from Governor
Bush to the Legislature, and our environmental
community," said Struhs. "In some states, parks
were closed. In almost every state, budgets were cut and
maintenance and staffing was reduced, but here in Florida,
you made it possible to make major improvements to our
park system."
The meeting is being held
at the Hilton-Orlando/Altamonte Springs today and Saturday
with an optional canoe trip on the Wekiva River on Sunday.
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Press Office
