KEY WEST – On Thursday, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole traveled to the Florida Keys to underscore the importance of a clean and sustainable water supply for Florida. The Secretary began his two-day trip at the First Annual “John R. Wehle” Meeting of the Florida Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) in Key West where he gave opening remarks.

The focus of the annual meeting was on emerging technology and techniques for better water resource management and updates on important water resource management projects and legislation.

“We all have a critical role in ensuring a clean, reliable supply of water, managing floods and protecting citizens from drought – each of us is responsible for Florida’s water future,” said Secretary Sole. “The key to success is working together.”

During his remarks, Secretary Sole shared facts on Florida’s water consumption and the need to work together at the local, regional and state levels:
• In 2005, Floridians used an estimated 6.9 billion gallons per day of freshwater.
• By 2025, this is expected to increase 26 percent, to 8.7 billion gallons every single day.
• And agriculture is currently the largest user of fresh water in the state; however, public water supply is projected to become the largest user in less than two decades.

The state of Florida, through the efforts of DEP and the state’s five water management districts, has made great strides in protecting water resources, like putting an end to wastewater outfalls to reduce pollutants in the ocean and financing the development of alternative water supplies. In addition, DEP administers its nationally recognized surface water restoration program. The state also has a strong commitment to supporting water supply and water quality at the local level, providing financing through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure needs. Secretary Sole emphasized that these efforts will continue to be part of the coordinated effort that will be required to meet the conservation, diversification and sustainability of water supply necessary to meet the state’s future water needs.

Other highlights of Secretary Sole’s two-day visit include:
• Tour of wastewater treatment facilities: On Thursday morning, Secretary Sole participated in tours of the Key Largo and Little Venice wastewater treatment facilities. Excessive nutrients in the waters surrounding the Florida Keys have caused problems in the marine ecosystem such as coral reef degradation.

• City of Marathon: Secretary Sole joined Mayor Mike Cinque celebrating the award of $10 million in stimulus loan funding for wastewater and stormwater management. The city will use the money to provide better wastewater treatment and an innovative stormwater system, reducing nutrients and pathogens in the nearshore waters of the Florida Keys by eliminating septic tanks, cess pits and package wastewater treatment plants in a portion of Marathon. The project also includes a treatment system that will prevent stormwater from discharging directly into the Atlantic Ocean and the Florida Bay.

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: On Friday, Secretary Sole will tour the Sanctuary’s Eco-Discovery Center. A key aspect of the tour will be the Aquarius exhibit, a model of the underwater laboratory 60 feet below the water’s surface on a coral reef – the exhibit recreates how scientists live and study during a mission in an underwater habitat. The Eco-Discovery Center features a number of interactive exhibits including "You Be the Manager" which gives visitors a better understanding of what is involved in making management decisions that affect the future of the Keys ecosystem. At the contour map exhibit visitors can watch the ocean currents swirl by the Keys or see the locations of lighthouses and historic shipwrecks found in Keys waters.

“The Keys are one of the state’s most treasured and unique ecosystems. Water quality is vital to protection and sustainability of this ecosystem,” Sole said. “I look forward to continuing the agency’s initiatives and working with state and local governments to further this critical mission.”

Recently, Florida received more than $212 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help Florida’s local governments finance improvements – $132.3 million for wastewater and stormwater improvements and $81 million for drinking water improvements. DEP has committed 93% of the money to 48 projects in 43 Florida communities scheduled to receive ARRA money to build critically needed infrastructure and better provide for sustainable water resources.

Designated in 1990, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects the most extensive living coral reef in the United States. This area is managed under a partnership between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with public involvement facilitated by the Sanctuary Advisory Council.

The 2,800-square nautical mile Sanctuary surrounds the entire archipelago of the Florida Keys and includes the waters of the Florida Bay, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. To further protect the reef system, the State and federal governments designated the Sanctuary as a “no discharge zone” in 2001, prohibiting discharge of sewage from vessels within the designated area.

To learn more about Florida’s water efforts visit www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/programs/water.htm.

To learn more about AWRA visit www.awra.org.

TALLAHASSEE – On Tuesday, the Department's Florida Park Service announced daily entrance fees will be waived at Florida’s state parks on Sunday, July 19, 2009 – recognizing National Parks and Recreation Month.

“Florida’s award-winning state park system is one of the best in the country, providing high quality recreation at an unmatched value,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By offering free entrance to state parks on July 19, and encouraging state park visitation throughout National Parks and Recreation Month, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation of our state’s natural resources and the recreational, historical and cultural value parks contribute to our great state.”

In addition to offering free entrance on Sunday, July 19, for National Parks and Recreation Month, the Florida Park Service will also offer free entrance to visitors with a library card or with the donation of a new or gently used family friendly book on Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, for State Park Literacy Month and on November 11 for Veteran’s Day.

“We are pleased to offer free admission into Florida’s state parks on these three occasions to encourage tourism and outdoor activity,” said DEP Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “The value of state parks is much greater than often realized, impacting healthy lifestyles, educating visitors about natural and cultural resources, as well as making an economic impact of more than $1 billion to Florida’s communities.”

Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association has designated July as National Parks and Recreation Month. This year, the Florida Park Service is offering a free entrance day and continuing its Family. Friends. Fun. campaign by encouraging children and families to engage in outdoor activity at one of 160 Florida state parks throughout July.

Visitors can learn about ways to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month by viewing the 100 activities featured as part of DEP’s Rediscover Florida – 100 Ways in 100 Days campaign. The initiative encourages Floridians to explore the many exciting and affordable recreation opportunities in their own backyards. From the traditional activities – hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking or camping, to the unique – festivals, museums and education centers, there are countless activities to experience and enjoy. Visitors to the Rediscover Florida Web site can explore an interactive list of 100 activities and track how many of the activities they can complete. To view the list, visit www.dep.state.fl.us and click Rediscover Florida.

Joining, in the National Parks and Recreation Month celebration is The Get Outdoors Florida! Coalition, a partnership of land managers, government agencies, children’s advocates, health care professionals, public interest groups and other individuals formed in 2008. The coalition is the product of a wide array of partners coming together to address societal needs including public well-being, health issues and natural resource conservation. The coalition envisions a healthy Florida community that is connected with nature and reflects social diversity exhibiting a conservation ethic as well as ensuring a sustainable future and recreational opportunities.

Tips for outdoor activities, as well as a calendar featuring a wide variety of planned outdoor events for youth, families and mentors can be found on the Coalition’s Web site, www.getoutdoorsflorida.org.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, most of which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include more than 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages. Caladesi Island State Park, just off the coast of Pinellas County, was honored with the coveted Best Beach in the Nation award in 2008. To view the Governor’s Park and Recreation Month proclamation, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2009/06/files/parks_rec_month.pdf

To learn more about Florida’s state parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.
Free day-use entrance does not apply at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in Tampa Bay. Other state park usage fees still apply.

HOMOSASSA - The Department's Florida Park Service hosted a special naming event on Wednesday at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in memory of the late Ellie Schiller, former Director of the Felburn Foundation and great friend of Florida’s state parks, greenways and trails.

“This valuable state park will hereon after be known as Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park,” said DEP Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “We are honored to uphold Ms. Schiller’s memory in the state park system and there is no better place to do so than at Homosassa Springs, which she dearly loved.”

As Director of the Felburn Foundation, Schiller contributed to several major projects at the park including a black bear exhibit, both phases of the Wildlife Walk, a roseate spoonbill aviary, a red wolf habitat and other improvements to wildlife habitats at the park. Felburn Foundation donations also helped fund the 8,000 square foot Felburn Wildlife Care Center that houses a veterinary clinic, wildlife quarantine section, park offices and accommodations for up to four biologists, interns and other scientists. Schiller and the Felburn Foundation Board also contributed to the construction of two barrier-free Boundless Playgrounds, on the Cross-Florida Greenway near Ocala and the St. Marks Trailhead in Wakulla, that are managed by DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features an impressive showcase of native Florida animals along the park’s Wildlife Walk, including West Indian manatees, a Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, river otters and a variety of birds and reptiles. Lu, Florida’s only resident hippopotamus, resides at the park. Visitors can also enjoy nature trails, picnicking and boat tours. Admission to the park for children ages three to 12 is $5.00 and $13.00 for adults.

TALLAHASSEE – The Department's Office of Environmental Education is teaming up with two Tallahassee community partners, WFSU-TV and National High Magnetic Field laboratory, to take part in the 2009 SciGirls Summer Camp program. Taking place July 13 to July 24, 2009 at different locations in Tallahassee, DEP’s Office of Environmental Education will support the campers as they perform water quality testing.

“We are very appreciative of DEP for their help with increasing our content knowledge around water quality issues in the Florida panhandle and for assisting us with this year’s camp,” said Kristen Molyneaux, Graduate Assistant at the Mag Lab who is one of four teachers who help run the camp.

Launched in 2006, SciGirls is a two-week, hands-on summer camp offered by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and WFSU-TV. Made up of two different age groups, SciGirls is for rising 6th and 7th graders and SciGirls II is created for returning SciGirls campers and 8th, 9th and 10th graders. The goal of the program is to inspire the students to pursue careers in science.

“We are very excited about this new partnership and the opportunity to share real world applications of science with these young scientists,” said Greg Ira, DEP’s Environmental Education Director. “By engaging the SciGirls in hands-on, inquiry based activities within local natural areas, campers not only reinforce their knowledge of science and the methods of science, but it also provides an opportunity for campers to become better environmental stewards.”

SciGirls campers will learn about water quality issues surrounding local watersheds by visiting places such as Leon Sinks Geological Area in the Apalachicola National Forest, and Wakulla Springs and Ichetucknee Springs State Parks. DEP will assist the campers with providing scientific standards in which to test the water quality.

To learn more, visit the SciGirls Summer Camp website, http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/students/programs/scigirls.html or visit the SciGirls blog, http://scigirls.blogspot.com.

Students at the camp will participate in activities that were originally developed as part of DEP’s Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) program. Since 2004, more than 5,000 future scientists and environmental stewards have participated in DEP’s Office of Environmental Education LIFE program, which brings middle school students and teachers into Florida’s parks and conservation areas to explore science through hands-on investigations. The goals of the LIFE program are increased student achievement, teacher professional development in science, increased participation of underserved and under-represented populations and increased stewardship of public lands. All three members of this collaboration - WFSU, the Mag Lab and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – are members of the Community Classroom Consortium, a consortium of non-formal education providers working together to promote lifelong learning.

For more information about DEP’s LIFE and other Office of Environmental Education programs, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/ed. For more information on sponsoring or volunteering for a LIFE lab, contact Greg Ira at 850-245-2132.

TALLAHASSEE – The Department's Florida Park Service is recognizing National Therapeutic Recreation Week and invites residents and visitors to take part in relaxing outdoor activities at one of Florida’s 160 state parks. National Therapeutic Recreation Week, which runs through July 18, also coincides with July’s designation as National Park and Recreation Month.

“Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature can positively impact our lives,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “The Florida state park system aims to provide accessible recreation to visitors of all abilities and we hope that this week will raise awareness about the opportunities that await visitors who seek the therapeutic benefits of nature-based recreation.”

Florida’s state parks offer many recreational opportunities for visitors to relax and enjoy the healing nature of the great outdoors. Recent studies by the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources indicate that nature-based recreation has been on the rise since 1980, including activities such as walking outdoors, swimming in natural springs and rivers, wildlife viewing, hiking and visiting nature centers. Florida’s state parks offer all of these activities and provide visitors a sense of relaxation, self awareness and connection to the land.

Supported by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), this week aims to enhance public awareness of therapeutic recreation programs and services, as well as expand recreation and leisure opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Therapeutic recreation uses treatment, education, and recreation services to help people with illnesses and disabilities develop leisure activities to improve their health, functional abilities, independence and quality of life. For more information, please visit the NRPA’s website at www.nrpa.org.

Visitors can learn about ways to enjoy National Therapeutic Recreation Week and Parks and Recreation Month by viewing the 100 activities featured as part of DEP’s Rediscover Florida – 100 Ways in 100 Days campaign. The initiative encourages Floridians to explore the many exciting and affordable recreation opportunities in their own backyards. From the traditional activities – hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking or camping, to the unique – festivals, museums and education centers, there are countless activities to experience and enjoy. Visitors to the Rediscover Florida Web site can explore an interactive list of 100 activities and track how many activities they can complete. To view the list, visit www.dep.state.fl.us and click Rediscover Florida.

The Florida Park Service is committed to making all reasonable efforts to ensure all facilities, programs and services are accessible to, and usable by all people, including those with disabilities.