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TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service
today recognized 27 state AmeriCorps participants for
their commitment to the state park system. During their
11 months of service, volunteers coordinated cleanup and
environmental protection efforts.
“This year’s AmeriCorps graduates contributed more
than 50,000 volunteer hours to Florida State Parks,”
said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “With
sincere dedication and selfless commitment, our
AmeriCorps volunteers play an important role in both our
communities and state parks.”
During their service period, the volunteers tracked
sea turtles and gopher tortoises at Fort Clinch State
Park, and removed a derelict shrimp boat from the Talbot
Islands. In addition, volunteers repaired a boardwalk at
Lake Talquin State Park and provided trail maintenance
at Lake Kissimmee, Wekiwa, Blue Spring, Tomoka, O’Leno,
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch and Ichetucknee state parks.
Launched in 1997, Florida State Parks AmeriCorps is
part of AmeriCorps, a larger national service movement
that engages more than 50,000 citizens of all ages and
backgrounds each year in results-driven community
service. In return, AmeriCorps members earn education
awards that help pay for school or repay student loans.
The Florida State Parks AmeriCorps program is
administered by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and operates in Florida's 159 state parks and
their surrounding communities. In cooperation with park
staff, local organizations and schools, Florida
AmeriCorps members provide service in natural resource
management, ADA compliance, environmental education,
partnership development and volunteer recruitment.
Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in
the country with 159 parks spanning more than 725,000
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.
For more about Florida State Parks, or to sign up as
a Florida AmeriCorps participant, visit
www.floridastateparks.org. For more information on
the national AmeriCoprs program, visit
www.americorps.org. | 
