Senior Citizens to Rediscover Florida During Volunteer Month

TALLAHASSEE - April is Florida Volunteer Month and DEP, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service-Volunteer Florida, encourage senior citizens to experience natural Florida by volunteering at a state park, trail or research reserve.

"Volunteers are vital to the efficient operation of Florida's state parks and recreation areas, as well as the protection of Florida's natural

resources," said DEP Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation Bob Ballard. "Volunteering in a state park, trail or recreation area benefits not just the environment, but the local community and the volunteer as well."

Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet designated April as Florida Volunteer Month. The Florida Volunteer Month campaign, led by Volunteer Florida, encourages all Floridians to promote the spirit of volunteerism by participating and engaging others in volunteer activities. The theme for this year's Florida Volunteer Month is, 'Brighten Your World' - VOLUNTEER!

"I can't think of a better way to serve Florida than to help preserve its natural beauty," said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism. "Bringing together two of Florida's most precious treasures - its seniors and its award-winning state parks - is a match made in heaven."

Florida's 160 state parks, eight state-managed trails and three National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) offer countless volunteer opportunities for any level of interest or expertise. State park volunteers have a wide range of duties from greeting visitors and conducting tours, to helping rangers remove exotic plants and maintaining the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail. At NERRs, volunteers can help with scientific monitoring, restoration projects, educational programs, administrative services and visitor services, as well as fund raising, and volunteers of any skill level can always participate in beautification days along a greenway or trail.

"We know just how important senior volunteers can be - many of our most important programs depend heavily on the kindness and compassion of our volunteers," said the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary, E. Douglas Beach. "Seniors have a special appreciation of our natural resources, and they can continue to make a valuable contribution to the community by volunteering at state parks and related facilities."

Volunteering is one of the 100 activities of DEP's recently launched program called Rediscover Florida - 100 Ways in 100 Days. The initiative urges Floridians to explore the exciting and affordable recreation in their own backyards. The campaign aims to increase awareness of all the activities Florida's public lands offer - from the traditional (hiking, biking, and camping) to the unique (festivals, historic reenactments and museums).

Visitors to the Rediscover Florida Web site can explore an interactive list of 100 activities and track how many of the activities they can complete. Volunteering affords visitors the opportunity to complete items on the list, including:

#7-Be a part of protecting the environment. Become a volunteer. More than 6,000 volunteers donated more than a million hours of volunteer time to Florida's state parks last year. Interested participants can inquire at any state park, trail, aquatic preserve or coastal area about the opportunities to help the environment.

To view the Rediscover Florida: 100 Ways in 100 Days web site visit www.dep.state.fl.us and click Rediscover Florida.

To view the Governor's Volunteer Month Resolution, visit http://www.volunteerflorida.org/vfsites/FVM2009/documents/Resolution09.pdf.

For more information about volunteer opportunities at a Florida state park, trail or NERR, visit www.dep.state.fl.us.

For more information on the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, visit www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us.

For more information about Florida Volunteer Month, visit www.volunteerflorida.org.