SEBRING  Local resident Darrel Smith has picked up top honors from the Florida State Park Service, being awarded Volunteer of the Year for 2014. Smith was cited for his work as Museum curator at Highlands Hammock State Park.

http://www.newssun.com/news/article_38645d31-0e69-51c2-9a91-268eec7add41.html

Editorial: Park grants would pay dividends

Florida should take greater advantage of the volunteers and private partners supporting its park system. It can start by restoring a modest grant program to improve park facilities.

Editorial: Park grants would pay dividends 01/24/14 [Last modified: Friday, January 24, 2014 1:32pm]

~Winning photo taken at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys~

Florida State Parks and Friends of Florida State Parks 2013 Photo Contest Winners: (top) Back to the Island by Gary Oliver

(left) 2nd Place - Caspian Terns by Priscilla McDaniel

(right) A Guest While Eating My Lunch by Priscilla McDaniel

“Each year, we receive hundreds of amazing photos taken at Florida’s state parks and state trails. Each one inspires us to visit our state parks to enjoy our incredible natural and cultural resources,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “Congratulations to the winners and all who entered the contest. I look forward to seeing all the beautiful photos we receive in 2014.”

Annual photo contest winners are selected from the 12 monthly photo contest winners throughout 2013 selected by visitors to www.floridastateparks.org. The photographs were evaluated by professional photographers John Moran, Lyn Berreitter and Kevin Kolczynski to determine the top three winners. A Florida State Parks Family Annual Entrance Pass will be presented to Gary Oliver for shooting the winning photo. Priscilla McDaniel will receive a Florida State Parks Individual Annual Entrance Pass.

The Florida State Parks and State Trails Photo Contest allows visitors to share their experiences at state parks and on state trails. Register and submit your favorite photos for a chance to win entrance passes to visit Florida’s state parks. Visit the Photo Contest website for rules and details.

There is cause for celebration for all Florida State Park staff,
visitors and Friends groups! The Gold Medal Award for
Excellence in the management of state park systems was
recently celebrated at Lake Louisa State Park where park
officials gathered in recognition of this unprecedented honor.
Florida is the only park system in the USA to claim title to three
Gold Medal awards.
“The fact that the Florida Park Service has won this prestigious
national award three times, while no other state has ever
won twice shows the dedication of our employees and volunteers to manage the resources that provide vast opportunities for Floridians and visitors to enjoy our natural resources,” said Florida DEP Secretary Herschel
Vinyard. Secretary Vinyard, Representative Bryan Nelson and Florida Parks Director Donald Forgione were on hand for the gathering where a large group was assembled for the recognition event.
Since 1935, Florida’s Park Service has been working to provide recreational activities for the community, while preserving, protecting, interpreting and restoring natural resources in the state.
CONGRATULATIONS TO US ALL!

                                                                                                                            Jamie began volunteering as a
Park Host, assisting visitors and
answering their questions. She also
helps with the interpretive carts
in the park. She is often asked to
be a mentor to other high school
volunteers. She has participated
in a bird survey at Egmont Key
State Park and worked for Fish
and Wildlife assisting in building
boardwalks and performing surveys
at Three Sisters Park. At 16 years
old, Jamie is a fine ambassador for
her park.

 

The first place photo in the 2012 FPS and FFSP Photo Contest is wonderfully appropriate for the 50^th anniversary of the publishing of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Ospreys were sorely impacted by the proliferation of DDT use in the 1950s and 1960s. Possibly because of the banning on DDT in many countries in the early 1970s, the osprey as well as other affected birds of prey have made significant recoveries. Our continued thanks to Rachel Carson for making this a prominent issue.

 

Congratulations to the winners! First place winner Jose Ramirez’s photo, Fishing Osprey, was taken at Honeymoon Island State Park.

Second place went to Looking Up by Carmen Welbon at Blue Spring State Park.

Third place is Baby Pelican at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park by John Brown.

Annual photo contest winners are selected from the 12 monthly photo contest winners throughout 2012 selected by visitors to www.floridastateparks.org. The photographs were evaluated by professional photographers John Moran, Kevin Kolczynski and Lynn Berreitter to determine the top three winners.

 

Thanks to everyone who participated throughout the year and a special thanks to our judges.

 

The Florida State Parks and State Trails Photo Contest in conjunction with Friends of Florida State Parks allows visitors to share their experiences at state parks and on state trails. Register and submit your favorite photos for a chance to win a Florida State Parks Passport. Visit the Photo Contest website for rules and details.