The Real Florida

Florida State Parks are known as The Real Florida where the subtle natural beauty of the state is truly experienced. This area contains information on the Florida state park system, Florida’s springs, the Everglades and volunteer opportunities in the Florida Parks.

Florida State Parks

• Florida State Parks—A variety of information on Florida’s award-winning state parks, which are known as The Real Florida. This a site has information on the state park system and services from the State Park Director’s message, accessibility information, fees to our patrons, reservations on our campsites, and a listing of the RV campsites and more. There are more than 150 parks covering nearly 600,000 acres throughout the state—from Pensacola to Jacksonville, south to Key West.
• Florida Springs—Provides information on one of Florida’s most beautiful natural wonders. The crystal clear waters that flow from Florida’s springs are a marvel to behold.

Everglades

• Everglades National Park—Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. Everglades National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance.
• Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Information from the FL Dept. of Environmental Protection
• The Plan to Restore America’s Everglades
• Governor’s Commission for the Everglades
• “Everglades Fieldtrip” with Photos from the Duke University Wetland Center
• Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway National Scenic Byway
• Florida Panther Net—Official Education Site—Florida Panther Net is where you can learn about our state animal, the elusive endangered Florida panther. At your fingertips is a rich store of knowledge about the panther, its habitat and the fascinating plants and animals that share its southwest Florida home. Panther Net is a project of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Advisory Council on Environmental Education.

Florida’s Biological Diversity

• Florida Natural Areas Inventory—The Mission of the Florida Natural Areas Inventory is to collect, interpret, and disseminate ecological information critical to the conservation of Florida’s biological diversity. FNAI’s database and expertise facilitate environmentally sound planning and natural resource management to protect the plants, animals, and communities that represent Florida’s natural heritage.

Ecotourism

Below is just a sampling of the many ways to enjoy The Real Florida and all that its natural beauty has to offer:

• Archaeology
• Florida Association of Museums
• Florida Audubon
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Florida National Parks
• Florida Wildlife Extension
• Folklife Programs
• Forests (National Forests)
• Forests (State Forests)
• Greenways & Trails
• Hiking (Florida Trail)
• Hiking (Trail Guide)
• Hiking (Trailwalker Program)
• Historic Places (List by County)
• Preserves & Sanctuaries

Great Florida Birding Trail

A collection of sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent bird watching or bird education opportunities.

Volunteerism

Volunteers are very valuable to the Florida State Parks! Without the volunteers many of the services offered by the parks would be lost. Volunteers help with construction and maintenance projects, resource management projects, special events, and much, much more. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Fanning Springs simply follow
this link and send an application over the Internet.

For other volunteer opportunities please contact the Coordinator of Volunteer Services:

Coordinator of Volunteer Services
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 536
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-300
(850)488-8243