December is the season of giving, when we recognize the people and places in our lives that we hold dear.
Whether giving to a loved one, an organization or a charity, it can be hard to decide exactly how to spend your time and money.
Here are seven gift ideas for the people and the parks that you love.
Annual entrance passes are fantastic gifts for the nature lovers in your life! They cover the entrance fees for most of Florida’s 175 state parks, from our winding rivers to our sunny shores. The cost is $60 for an individual pass or $120 for a family pass, and they can be purchased online or at any state park that has a ranger station.
2. Share a Florida State Park-themed holiday ornament.
The Florida State Parks Foundation will offer a holiday ornament. Check the Foundation’s website for details.
3. Show your support for Florida State Parks by ordering a specialty license plate.
The revenue collected from this plate benefits the Florida State Parks Foundation’s efforts to protect, preserve, sustain and grow Florida’s state parks. Each voucher costs $33 and that covers the cost of the specialty plate plus your tag registration fees. For each plate purchased, the Foundation receives $25 to support green initiatives in state parks.
4. Membership in the Florida State Parks Foundation.
An organization that protects our state parks and helps them grow, the foundation is integral to the continued protection and expansion of our state park system. When you become a member – or purchase membership as a gift for someone else – you’re directly supporting the places you love to explore. Memberships begin as low as $30 and are offered at many levels. Some memberships include complimentary one-day passes to our parks.
Through the Florida State Parks Foundation’s wildlife adoption program, you can symbolically adopt one of our native species! Depending on your donation, you can receive a personalized adoption certificate, a fact sheet and picture of your chosen animal, a personal letter acknowledging your donation, and a bandana. More than symbolic, your adoption goes directly to protecting our native wildlife and their habitats.
6. Donate to the Plant a Pine project.
Longleaf pine forests are essential for native wildlife and for protecting the Real Florida ℠. The Florida State Parks Foundation plants a longleaf pine for every $1 donated to the project. Every tree counts!
One of Florida's first state parks, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park was developed on a 2,000-acre site by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. Marshes, lakes and scrub are habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
Giving your time to our state parks is a great way to help them thrive. Our volunteers help us with every aspect of park management, from running visitor centers to maintaining trails. Some volunteers help on an hourly basis, while others are campground hosts who serve up to four months at a time. No matter how they help, we always appreciate the time and effort of our volunteers.
