Latest news with #JuliaGillWoodward
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Associated Press
Florida State Parks Foundation and Live Wildly to host second ‘Explore the Corridor Week' in April
Week-long event series gives nature-lovers the opportunity to 'get outside and give back' in wild Florida. TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 13, 2025 / The Florida State Parks Foundation and Live Wildly today announced that the second Explore the Corridor Week, a statewide drive to encourage exploration and stewardship of Florida's natural spaces, is set for April 26 - May 3, 2025. Each of the 19 participating state parks falls within or adjacent to the footprint of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre network of public and private lands stretching from the Florida Panhandle to the Everglades. Created in 2021, the Florida Wildlife Corridor is the largest state-wide conservation effort of its kind, home to almost 2,000 different species including the Florida panther, manatees, and the Gopher tortoise. 'Florida's state parks provide the best and easiest way to experience the Florida Wildlife Corridor,' said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation. 'Explore the Corridor Week is a unique opportunity to create connections to wild Florida while also making a positive impact in our award-winning state parks.' The parks included in Explore the Corridor Week span from the Florida Panhandle to the Florida Keys, and each park will host events designed to connect people to wild Florida. Example events include a river cleanup at Blackwater River State Park (bring your own boat!), a safari tram tour at Silver Springs State Park, and cleanups and invasive plant removals at multiple parks. Individuals, families, students, companies and community groups are all invited to participate. Space at each event is limited. Visit the official Explore the Corridor Week website for a full list of opportunities. For those who do not wish or are unable to attend an in-person event but would still like to support Explore the Corridor Week, each park that is hosting a volunteer opportunity has an Amazon wishlist with needed supplies available for donation. Click here to learn more. 'We believe that participating in Explore the Corridor Week will foster a love and respect for wild Florida that will last for years,' Live Wildly CEO Lisa Shipley said. 'No matter where you live or how you like to explore the outdoors, there is an event nearby that will create lasting impacts and memories.' More than 300 volunteers contributed over 1,200 hours of service at the first Explore the Corridor Week in January 2024. Florida's system of 175 state parks, trails and historic sites are supported by more than 10,000 volunteers who contribute over 1 million hours of service each year.
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Florida State Parks Foundation, Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation to provide beach matting at 7 state parks
Grant of $100,000 will expand accessibility at parks along Florida's coastline TALLAHASSEE, FL, UNITED STATES, February 13, 2025 / / -- Seven of Florida's award-winning state parks have received new accessible beach matting through a continued partnership between the Florida State Parks Foundation and the Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation. Amelia Island (Jacksonville), Big Talbot Island (Jacksonville), Little Talbot Island (Jacksonville), Anastasia (St. Augustine), Oleta River (North Miami Beach), Bill Baggs Cape Florida (Key Biscayne) and Lovers Key (Bonita Springs) state parks each received matting. The Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation made a generous contribution of $100,000 to provide for the matting, which will allow for people who use mobility devices or need assistance navigating sandy terrain to better explore Florida's world-class beaches. Florida State Parks manages more than 100 miles of beaches, many of which are regularly featured on annual 'best-of' lists and rankings. 'We believe the best beaches in the world are found within Florida's state parks, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy them,' said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation. 'Surfing's Evolution has been one of our most dedicated partners for several years, and we appreciate their continued support of our state's parks and beaches.' Famed surfer Ron DiMenna and his wife Lynne founded Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation, Inc., to recognize the importance of the beach and surfing lifestyle in Florida and protect these beaches for future generations to enjoy. Since 2021, Surfing's Evolution has provided a wide range of beach-focused support to Florida's state parks, including: - Beach wheelchairs at all coastal state parks. - Floating wheelchairs at 10 state parks. - Seven all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or utility task vehicles (UTVs) to assist resource management at seven coastal state parks. 'We are proud to support the people who care for our beaches and expand accessibility to everyone who loves to visit and explore them,' said Jacquie Youngs, Foundation Administrator for Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation. 'This matting helps to ensure that people who use mobility can not only see the beach but also truly explore and enjoy it.'
