September 4, 2015 Florida State Parks Newsletter

Florida Department of Environmental Protection September 4, 2015 Newsletter Celebrate Literacy in September ~Join us in celebrating literacy this month at Florida State Parks.~    A woman reads with children. Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed September as Florida Literacy Month. International Literacy Day will be observed on Tuesday, Sept. 8. "Literacy is very important for people of all ages," said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione, "We are excited to celebrate reading and provide the best spots in the state to curl up with a good book to enjoy nature and the great outdoors." The Florida Park Service, Department of Education and Department of State, Division of Libraries have joined together to stress the importance of literacy for all ages. This partnership follows the summertime activities of Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott, who encourages children to read through her Summer Literacy Adventure. September is also National Library Card Month. Twelve different events celebrating Florida Literacy Month are scheduled around the state. The events will provide children and adults the opportunity to participate in activities, accentuating the importance of literacy. Activities and crafts vary from book reading, book signings, book swaps, games and educational activities. To find an event near you, visit www.floridastateparks.org. Click the Things to Do tab in the navigation bar. Select events. For the search criteria. Select a region of the state, September 2015 as the Event Date and Literacy as the Event Theme. Click Apply. A list of events will display for your region of the state. Participation in the events are free and park admission is waived for those participating. Some events request the donation of a book or that attendees show their library card for free entry. Participate in Florida's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Workshop ~Learn how SCORP advances outdoor recreation and how you can help.~ A kayaker at Long Key State Park.  Florida’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan serves as Florida’s blueprint for outdoor recreation. The plan provides guidance to communities, businesses and organizations to achieve the recreation demands of Florida’s diverse and growing population. With Florida’s top outdoor recreation activities including beach activities, wildlife viewing and fishing, SCORP works to promote health benefits, improve public access and reconnect people to the outdoors. Want to learn more about SCORP and how you can get involved? Join us at The Ribault Club at Fort George Island Cultural State Park in Jacksonville on September 24 for the North Florida Outdoor Recreation Workshop. From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you can discover how SCORP advances outdoor recreation through presentations and discussion sessions. Explore ways you can help while networking with recreation providers and outdoor professionals. Register for the free workshop at outdoor.recreation@dep.state.fl.us and learn more by visiting the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Park Planning's SCORP page. Explore State Parks on a Boat Tour ~Boat tours provide a new experience for exploring state parks.~    A grandfather and grandson enjoy the boat tour at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Across the state, visitors enjoy seeing Florida's waters from a different perspective. Guided tours offer stories of Florida's wildlife, ecosystems and history. More than 15 state parks offer boat tours -- and each is unique. The boat ride on Pepper Creek from the visitor center to the wildlife park at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is always fun. Glass bottom boat tours are available at Silver Springs State Park. You are sure to see fish, turtles and even alligators in the crystal-clear water. Sunset boat tours depart from Crystal River Preserve State Park once a month in September but twice a month October through May. Refreshments and snacks are provided. At Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the 25-passenger Loxahtchee Queen II takes visitors on a two-hour tour with a stop at the restored camp of Trapper Nelson, also known as the "Wildman of the Loxahatchee." You'll have to go on the trip to hear the story. Find a complete list of boat tours here. Other Important Dates Sept. 8 - International Literacy Day Sept. 19 - International Coastal Cleanup Sept. 26 - National Public Lands Day Upcoming Special Events View List of Events in the Northwest Region View List of Events in the Northeast Region View List of Events in the Central Region View List of Events in the Southwest Region View List of Events in the Southeast Region

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