DOCSLIB.ORG

2002-0369-009 Final Evaluation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2002-0369-009 Final Evaluation National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Project Evaluation Form Project Name and Number: Great Florida Birding Trail: Panhandle Section #2002-0369-009 Recipient: Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc. Project Location: Panhandle region of Florida (eight counties) 1) Were the specific objectives as outlined in your application and grant agreement successfully implemented and accomplished? Explain. All project objectives were met. The focus of this project was site enhancements at 10 locations in eight counties of the Panhandle section of the Great Florida Birding Trail, and all components of the project were completed. Site enhancements were designed to foster high quality experiences for birders as well as bird conservation. Enhancements included assembly and delivery of loaner optics trunks (with binoculars, books, and other educational materials), construction of viewing blinds, printing interpretive brochures, installation of interpretive signage, and purchase of replacement highway signs for the Panhandle section of the Great Florida Birding Trail (78 sites). 2) Please assess project accomplishments as quantitatively as possible. Through this grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Great Florida Birding Trail’s loaner optics program grew to 23 locations (a 53 percent increase). Eight loaner optics trunks were assembled in January 2006 and were delivered to the designated parks and refuges in February 2006. These include: Henderson Beach State Park (Okaloosa County), Rocky Bayou State Park (Okaloosa County), Blackwater River State Park (Santa Rosa County), Three Rivers State Park (Jackson County), Gulf Islands National Seashore: Fort Pickens Area (Escambia County), St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (Gulf County), Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County), and Lynn Haven Sports Complex and Nature Trail (Bay County). Optics trunks included 10 pairs of Audubon Vector 8 x 42 binoculars from Eagle Optics, seven bird field guides and a reference book, a Birding 101 PowerPoint presentation on CD and on color 35 mm slides, Birdwatching Basics (in English and Spanish), other educational materials, an instruction book for site managers, and more. Visitors are able to check out the binoculars and field guides for a day with a driver’s license or credit card. Site managers can also lead bird watching trips or give interpretive programs with the optics and materials provided in the trunks. Fifty pairs of the binoculars were purchased from this grant, and 50 additional pairs were donated by Eagle Optics. Noted bird expert Kenn Kaufman also donated eight copies of his new book, a Spanish language Guide to the Birds of North America (Guia de Campo a las Aves de Norteamerica) for the optics trunks (plus nine more copies for the nine gateway sites on the Birding Trail around the state). In addition, two bird watching blinds were constructed on the south shore of Lake Seminole at Three Rivers State Park in Jackson County. From these blinds, visitors are likely to see a host of wading birds throughout the year and many species of waterfowl in winter. Interpretive signage was installed at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County to help protect nesting birds such as endangered Least Terns, threatened Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, and American Oystercatchers. An educational brochure for The Nature Conservancy’s Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve in Liberty County was printed (5,000 copies) and is being distributed to visitors at the preserve. Lastly, 155 replacement highway signs for the Great Florida Birding Trail were purchased for use on the Panhandle section (78 sites). These reflective highway signs have a 10-year life span, and signs must be replaced when they become damaged or destroyed. 3) Assess the number of people reached through your work (e.g., landowners, students, organizations, agencies) Did other land managers benefit from the project? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Great Florida Birding Trail now has a loaner optics program at 23 sites throughout the state, including the eight sites in the Panhandle that were part of this project. Site managers report that they are thrilled to have the optics, and that the program is popular with their visitors, but no figures are as yet available on the number of users. Approximately 3,800 of the 5,000 interpretive trail guides printed for The Nature Conservancy’s Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve have already been distributed to their visitors. The Panhandle Florida Birding Trail guide booklet, which is used to promote this section of the Trail, underwent a revision and a second print run in May 2006, as all 30,000 copies of the booklet (first printed in May 2004) have now been distributed. Boxes of Panhandle Birding Trail guide booklets were sent to many of the site managers for distribution. 4) Were any surveys or interviews conducted with partners to help gauge the success of your efforts? Topsail Hill Preserve State Park was contacted to determine if the interpretive signage was helping prevent disturbance of nesting shorebirds such as least terns and snowy plovers. One of their staff commented that yes, the signage has improved awareness of the issue, and together with roping off the nesting areas, these actions have resulted in decreased disturbance. Site managers will be contacted in July 2006 to evaluate the level of loaner optics use at each site in the Panhandle. Staff at The Nature Conservancy’s Apalachicola Bluffs Preserve were contacted to determine the number of brochures distributed. 5) How will the project be evaluated in terms of monitoring or assessment of cause-and- effect response? Describe the evaluation timescale (e.g., one year, five years, ten years). How will monitoring results be reported? Site managers will be contacted in July 2006 (five months after delivery of the optics trunks) to evaluate the level of loaner optics use at each site in the Panhandle section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. At that time, we will assess whether any modifications are needed for the loaner optics program. Inventory of all loaner optics is conducted once per year, and since the loaner program started in 2000, there have been no major problems. The success of the loaner optics will be included in an upcoming Birding Trail newsletter article. 6) Does this project fit into a larger program, spatially or temporally? If so, how has that program benefited from your work? (For example, an easement or on-the-ground work that connects or benefits other protected properties.) The Great Florida Birding Trail will continue to provide site enhancements throughout the state to enhance birders’ experiences and to promote conservation of birds and habitat. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) will continue to look for grants and other opportunities to provide viewing structures such as blinds and observation decks, interpretive signage, loaner optics, and to assist with bird conservation efforts. More than 550,000 Great Florida Birding Trail guides have been distributed since November 2000, to all 50 states and 8 foreign countries. Reflective highway signage purchased as part of this grant project will help the FFWCC maintain the Panhandle Florida Birding Trail’s all- important sign component to direct visitors to each of the 78 birding sites. To date, highway sign installation has been completed for two of the four Birding Trail sections. 7) Does the project incorporate an adaptive management component? If so, please explain. Any lessons learned that will guide future implementation of this, or similar, projects? After evaluating the level of loaner optics use at the eight Birding Trail locations in this project in July 2006, FFWCC will determine if any modifications to the program are necessary. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park staff will be contacted periodically to determine if additional signage or other protective measures are necessary to safeguard their nesting shorebirds. 8) Was there a local/regional/national response? Any media/press involvement? One magazine article about the Panhandle Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail will appear in the SweetTea Journal magazine in September 2006. This is a regional publication of the St. Joe Corporation. The Great Florida Birding Trail was represented at the largest birding festival in the state, the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in Titusville, in November 2005, and at the Big “O” Birding Festival in Moore Haven in January 2006. Birding Trail guide booklets and other information about the Trail is disseminated at these festivals. The Panhandle Florida Birding Trail guide booklet, which was first printed in May 2004, included the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Gulf Power logos on the back cover as project sponsors. All 30,000 copies of the guide booklet have been distributed across the US and to 8 additional countries, and a second print run (updated version) of 60,000 copies (also with the NFWF and Gulf Power logos on the back cover), was initiated in May 2006. 9) To what degree has this project contributed to the conservation community as a whole? The Great Florida Birding Trail is designed to conserve and enhance Florida’s bird habitat by promoting birdwatching activities, conservation education, and economic opportunity. Habitat and viewing improvements on Birding Trail sites, both private and public, can make a real difference for wildland conservation and rural economic development. One noteworthy project accomplishment that benefits the conservation community is helping to protect nesting shorebirds such as least terns, snowy plovers (a threatened species in Florida) and black skimmers (a species of special concern in Florida) at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. We anticipate that the loaner optics trunks, with educational materials in both English and Spanish, will help foster additional interest in birding and habitat conservation. 10) Did your work bring in additional partners, more landowners, et cetera, who would be interested in doing similar work on their land in the future? If so, please describe.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Quarterly Journal of the Florida Native Plant Society
    Volume 28: Number 1 > Winter/Spring 2011 PalmettoThe Quarterly Journal of the Florida Native Plant Society Protecting Endangered Plants in Panhandle Parks ● Native or Not? Carica papaya ● Water Science & Plants Protecting Endangered Plant Species Sweetwater slope: Bill and Pam Anderson To date, a total of 117 listed taxa have been recorded in 26 panhandle parks, making these parks a key resource for the protection of endangered plant species. 4 ● The Palmetto Volume 28:1 ● Winter/Spring 2011 in Panhandle State Parks by Gil Nelson and Tova Spector The Florida Panhandle is well known for its natural endowments, chief among which are its botanical and ecological diversity. Approximately 242 sensitive plant taxa occur in the 21 counties west of the Suwannee River. These include 15 taxa listed as endangered or threatened by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 212 listed as endangered or threatened by the State of Florida, 191 tracked by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 52 candidates for federal listing, and 7 categorized by the state as commercially exploited. Since the conservation of threatened and endangered plant species depends largely on effective management of protected populations, the occurrence of such plants on publicly or privately owned conservation lands, coupled with institutional knowledge of their location and extent is essential. District 1 of the Florida Sarracenia rosea (purple pitcherplant) at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park: Park Service manages 33 state parks encompassing approximately Tova Spector, Florida Department of Environmental Protection 53,877 acres in the 18 counties from Jefferson County and the southwestern portion of Taylor County westward.
    [Show full text]
  • FLORIDA STATE PARKS FEE SCHEDULE (Fees Are Per Day Unless Otherwise Noted) 1. Statewide Fees Admission Range $1.00**
    FLORIDA STATE PARKS FEE SCHEDULE (Fees are per day unless otherwise noted) 1. Statewide Fees Admission Range $1.00** - $10.00** (Does not include buses or admission to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park or Weeki Wachee Springs State Park) Single-Occupant Vehicle or Motorcycle Admission $4.00 - $6.00** (Includes motorcycles with one or more riders and vehicles with one occupant) Per Vehicle Admission $5.00 - $10.00** (Allows admission for 2 to 8 people per vehicle; over 8 people requires additional per person fees) Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Per Passenger Exceeding 8 Per Vehicle; Per $2.00 - $5.00** Passenger In Vehicles With Holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass Admission Economically Disadvantaged Admission One-half of base (Must be Florida resident admission fee** and currently participating in Food Stamp Program) Bus Tour Admission $2.00** per person (Does not include Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, or $60.00 Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, or Weeki Wachee Springs State Park) whichever is less Honor Park Admission Per Vehicle $2.00 - $10.00** Pedestrians and Bicyclists $2.00 - $5.00** Sunset Admission $4.00 - $10.00** (Per vehicle, one hour before closing) Florida National Guard Admission One-half of base (Active members, spouses, and minor children; validation required) admission fee** Children, under 6 years of age Free (All parks) Annual Entrance Pass Fee Range $20.00 - $500.00 Individual Annual Entrance Pass $60.00 (Retired U. S. military, honorably discharged veterans, active-duty $45.00 U. S. military and reservists; validation required) Family Annual Entrance Pass $120.00 (maximum of 8 people in a group; only allows up to 2 people at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park) (Retired U.
    [Show full text]
  • Florida State Parks Data by 2021 House District
    30, Florida State Parks FY 2019-20 Data by 2021 House Districts This compilation was produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation . FloridaStateParksFoundation.org Statewide Totals • 175 Florida State Parks and Trails (164 Parks / 11 Trails) comprising nearly 800,000 Acres • $2.2 billion direct impact to Florida’s economy • $150 million in sales tax revenue • 31,810 jobs supported • 25 million visitors served # of Economic Jobs Park House Districts Parks Impact Supported Visitors 1 Salzman, Michelle 0 2 Andrade, Robert Alexander “Alex” 3 31,073,188 436 349,462 Big Lagoon State Park 10,336,536 145 110,254 Perdido Key State Park 17,191,206 241 198,276 Tarklin Bayou Preserve State Park 3,545,446 50 40,932 3 Williamson, Jayer 3 26,651,285 416 362,492 Blackwater Heritage State Trail 18,971,114 266 218,287 Blackwater River State Park 7,101,563 99 78,680 Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park 578,608 51 65,525 4 Maney, Thomas Patterson “Patt” 2 41,626,278 583 469,477 Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 7,558,966 106 83,636 Henderson Beach State Park 34,067,312 477 385,841 5 Drake, Brad 9 64,140,859 897 696,022 Camp Helen State Park 3,133,710 44 32,773 Deer Lake State Park 1,738,073 24 19,557 Eden Gardens State Park 3,235,182 45 36,128 Falling Waters State Park 5,510,029 77 58,866 Florida Caverns State Park 4,090,576 57 39,405 Grayton Beach State Park 17,072,108 239 186,686 Ponce de Leon Springs State Park 6,911,495 97 78,277 Three Rivers State Park 2,916,005 41 30,637 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 19,533,681 273 213,693 6 Trumbull, Jay 2 45,103,015 632 504,860 Camp Helen State Park 3,133,710 44 32,773 St.
    [Show full text]
  • FUN TIMES SOUTH FLORIDA AIRSTREAM CLUB Wally Byam Caravan Club International December 2020
    FUN TIMES SOUTH FLORIDA AIRSTREAM CLUB Wally Byam Caravan Club International December 2020 Looking Ahead for 2021 First let me thank everyone who attended the Fall Rally at Zachery Taylor RV Resort. It was wonderful! The owners, Gary and Diana, and all the staff really went out of their way to make sure that we had all of our needs met. The teamwork was amazing, the fellowship was exceptional, I feel like everyone felt safe with the measures we put in place to protect our group. The installation was lovely and the dinner that followed was fantastic. A good time was had by all. One of the highlights for me was Arnold’s Wildlife Rehab Center, in particular Tom the Turkey who charmed everyone. It was an awesome place and the animals looked healthy and happy in the environment they provided. Moving forward, the logistics team was able to meet and plan out the year 2022 in addition to the already planned 2021. Some of the highlights include a rally In Kissimmee in February which would include a rodeo, the unit caravan in March, Region 3 Rally in April, a trip to the Florida Keys in May, International in June, a rally in Ocala in July, a maintenance event in August, in- stallation rally in September, a Halloween party in October and a rally in December. More on this when we get it fleshed out a little more. We are currently on our way down to Pompano Beach for the annual Christmas Party with Gifts for the children at PEPPI.
    [Show full text]
  • House Districts (This Compilation Was Produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation, January 2019)
    Florida State Parks FY 2017-18 Data by 2019 House Districts (This compilation was produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation, January 2019) . State Wide Totals • 175 Florida State Parks and Trails (164 Parks / 11 Trails) comprising nearly 800,000 Acres • $2.4 billion direct economic impact • $158 million in sales tax revenue • 33,587 jobs supported • Over 28 million visitors served # of Economic Jobs Park House Districts Parks Impact Supported Visitors 1 Hill, Walter Bryan “Mike” 0 2 Andre, Robert Alexander “Alex” 3 28,135,146 393 338,807 Big Lagoon State Park 12,155,746 170 141,517 Perdido Key State Park 12,739,427 178 157,126 Tarklin Bayou Preserve State Park 3,239,973 45 40,164 3 Williamson, Jayer 3 22,545,992 315 275,195 Blackwater Heritage State Trail 15,301,348 214 188,630 Blackwater River State Park 6,361,036 89 75,848 Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park 883,608 12 10,717 4 Ponder, Mel 2 46,877,022 657 564,936 Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 7,896,093 111 88,633 Henderson Beach State Park 38,980,929 546 476,303 5 Drake, Brad 9 75,811,647 1062 881,589 Camp Helen State Park 2,778,378 39 31,704 Deer Lake State Park 1,654,544 23 19,939 Eden Gardens State Park 3,298,681 46 39,601 Falling Waters State Park 5,761,074 81 67,225 Florida Caverns State Park 12,217,659 171 135,677 Grayton Beach State Park 20,250,255 284 236,181 Ponce de Leon Springs State Park 4,745,495 66 57,194 Three Rivers State Park 3,465,975 49 39,482 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 21,639,586 303 254,586 6 Trumbull, Jay 2 76,186,412 1,067 926,162 Camp Helen State Park 2,778,378 39 31,704 St.
    [Show full text]
  • Panhandle Birding Trail
    The Great Florida Birding Trail is a project of the Florida Fish and Wildlife PANHANDLE FLORIDA Conservation Commission BIRDING TRAIL In partnership with : Wildlife Foundation of Florida U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Florida Park Service Florida Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Many thanks to our generous sponsors : www.gulfpower.com The Great Florida Birding Trail www.nfwf.org www.FloridaBirdingTrail.com 05/06 Printed on recycled paper Getting Started... Ciity Locator Loaner optics are available free of charge at all Gateways, as well as at City Map City Map additional sites as marked in the site Apalachicola I Laguna Beach G descriptions! Bristol J Marianna F Carrabelle I Mexico Beach H Chattahoochee J Milton C Trail Tips Chipley F Panama City G When birding: Crawfordville M Pensacola B Crestview C Port St. Joe H • Take sunscreen, water and bug spray. De Funiak Springs E Quincy K • Make reservations in advance for "by-appointment Destin D Sopchoppy M only" sites. Ft. Walton Beach D St. Marks M • Check seasonality of site; are you visiting at the Grayton Beach D Sumatra I right time of year? Gulf Beach A Tallahassee L Gulf Breeze B Birder Vocabulary Some words used in this guide are specific to bird- How were these sites selected? ers and birdwatching. Bone-up on the following lingo Each of the sites in this guide was chosen for its bird- so you’ll blend in at your next birding dinner party! watching characteristics, accessibility and ability to Birding by ear: the ability to identify birds by their withstand birder use.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovery Plan for Spigelia Gentianoides (Gentian Pinkroot) ______
    Recovery Plan for Spigelia gentianoides (Gentian pinkroot) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ S. gentianoides var. gentianoides, Geneva State Forest, Alabama. S. gentianoides var. alabamensis, Bibb Co., Alabama. DISCLAIMER Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed to be required to recover and/or protect listed species. Plans published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are sometimes prepared with the assistance of recovery teams, contractors, State agencies, and other affected and interested parties. Plans are reviewed by the public and submitted for additional peer review before they are adopted by the Service. The objectives of the plan will be attained and any necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. Recovery plans do not obligate other parties to undertake specific tasks and may not necessarily represent the views or the official positions or approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the plan formulation, other than the Service. Recovery plans represent the official position of the Service only after they have been signed by the Regional Director as approved. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new information, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery actions. By approving this recovery plan, the Regional Director certifies that the data used in its development represent the best scientific and commercial information available at the time it was written. Copies of all documents reviewed in the development of the plan are available in the administrative record, located at the Panama City Field Office in Panama City, Florida.
    [Show full text]
  • Ambrose 0Front I-Xviii.Pmd
    Contents Foreword xvii 1. Florida as an Ecotourism Destination 1 Part 1. Northwestern Florida 2. The Panhandle’s Pitcher Plant Prairies 11 Blackwater River State Park, Blackwater River State Forest Sidetrips: Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, Garcon Point, Clear Creek Nature Trail, Eglin Air Force Base, Blackwater Heritage Trail State Park 3. Emerald Coast 20 Gulf Islands National Seashore, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, St. Andrews State Park Sidetrips: Perdido Key State Park, Big Lagoon State Park, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Pine Log State Forest, Deer Lake State Park 4. Forgotten Coast 34 T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Sidetrips: Dead Lakes Recreation Area, St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve 5. Apalachicola National Forest 44 Sidetrips: Tate’s Hell State Forest, Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area 6. Apalachicola River Lands 52 Three Rivers State Park, Torreya State Park, Florida Caverns State Park Sidetrips: Falling Waters State Park, Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve 7. Big Bend Territory 60 St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Sidetrips: Econfina River State Park, Ochlockonee River State Park, Bald Point State Park, Aucilla Wildlife Management Area Part 2. Northern Florida 8. Upper Suwannee River 71 Suwannee River State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Big Shoals State Park Sidetrips: Osceola National Forest, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, O’Leno State Park/ River Rise Preserve, Ginnie Springs Outdoors 9.
    [Show full text]
  • Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program Fiscal Year
    Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Final Program Report 1 Table of Contents Executive Summary•3 Introduction•4 Invasive Plant Control Projects•13 East Central Working Group Projects•16 Florida Keys Working Group Projects•28 Mosquito Coast Working Group Projects•37 Northeast Working Group Projects•46 Panhandle Working Group Projects•54 Southeast Working Group Projects•69 Southwest Working Group Projects•81 Sun Coast Working Group Projects•96 Treasure Coast Working Group Projects•110 West Central Working Group Projects•121 Withlacoochee Working Group Projects•136 Melaleuca Program•149 Lygodium Strike Team Projects•152 Herbicide Bank Projects•153 Uplands Program Operations Summary•154 2 Executive Summary ver one-and-one-half million acres of Florida’s melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Brazilian Opublic conservation lands have been invaded pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Old by alien (exotic, nonnative, nonindigenous) plants World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) such as melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, Australian on public conservation lands. These and over pine, and climbing ferns. However, invasive alien one hundred other alien plants have invaded plants respect no boundaries and millions of acres at least 1.5 million acres of Florida’s nearly 11 of private land are also affected. This ongoing million acres of public conservation lands, alien invasion has degraded and diminished affecting an ecotourism economy valued at $13 what remains of Florida’s natural areas, affected billion annually.
    [Show full text]
  • Senate Districts (This Compilation Was Produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation, January 2019)
    Florida State Parks FY 2017-18 Data by 2019 Senate Districts (This compilation was produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation, January 2019) . Statewide Totals • 175 Florida State Parks and Trails (164 Parks / 11 Trails) comprising nearly 800,000 Acres • $2.4 billion direct economic impact • $158 million in sales tax revenue • 33,587 jobs supported • Over 28 million visitors served # of Economic Jobs Park Senate Districts Parks Impact Supported Visitors 1 Broxson, Doug 6 50,681,138 708 614,002 Big Lagoon State Park 12,155,746 170 141,517 Blackwater Heritage State Trail 15,301,348 214 188,630 Blackwater River State Park 6,361,036 89 75,848 Perdido Key State Park 12,739,427 178 157,126 Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park 3,239,973 45 40,164 Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park 883,608 12 10,717 2 Gainer, George B. 12 196,096,703 2,747 2,340,983 Camp Helen State Park 2,778,378 39 31,704 Deer Lake State Park 1,654,544 23 19,939 Eden Gardens State Park 3,298,681 46 39,601 Falling Waters State Park 5,761,074 81 67,225 Florida Caverns State Park 12,217,659 171 135,677 Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 7,896,093 111 88,633 Grayton Beach State Park 20,250,255 284 236,181 Henderson Beach State Park 38,980,929 546 476,303 Ponce de Leon Springs State Park 4,745,495 66 57,194 St. Andrews State Park 73,408,034 1,028 894,458 Three Rivers State Park 3,465,975 49 39,482 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 21,639,586 303 254,586 3 Montford, Bill 25 124,181,920 1,739 1,447,446 Bald Point State Park 2,238,898 31 26,040 Big Shoals State Park 2,445,527 34 28,729 Constitution Convention Museum State Park 478,694 7 5,309 Econfina River State Park 1,044,631 15 12,874 Forest Capital Museum State Park 1,064,499 15 12,401 John Gorrie Museum State Park 542,575 8 4,988 Lake Jackson Mounds Archeological State Park 2,440,448 34 27,221 Lake Talquin State Park 1,236,157 17 14,775 Letchworth-Love Mounds Archeological State Park 713,210 10 8,157 Maclay Gardens State Park, Alfred B.
    [Show full text]
  • View Digital Guide
    Washington JacksonGulf Bay Holmes Calhoun Liberty Walton Gadsden Franklin Welcome Explore Northwest Florida invites you to move at the speed of nature. The landscape in our section of the Sunshine State is filled with treasures in natural wonders, wildlife, historical interests, mini-marvels and outdoor activities. The gorgeous parks are a hot spot for camping or day trips. Fresh and salty water offer amazing activities. The waterways flow in different currents ranging from fresh crystal clear springs creating lakes and rivers, to salty seas washing ashore. It is all here to work and play in. The charming small towns dotted throughout the region are the essence of southern charm and hospitality. The Spanish moss in oak trees drapes over canopy roads, perfect for afternoon drives. Admiring sunsets is required viewing. Fresh local eateries, shopping and discovering marvels along the way entices visitors to continue the journey. This is a piece of our paradise where you Choose Your Adventure—water activities, parks, shopping, outdoor recreation, taking in local history, or relaxing on the beach. The participating counties in Northwest Florida that make up the rural tourism group, range from Gadsden, Gulf, Liberty and Franklin to the east, Jackson, Calhoun, Bay and Washington center the region, while Walton, Holmes border the west. The Apalachicola and Choctawhatchee Rivers define the region’s boundaries. Telling our story of our wonders is the mission. It is time to Explore Northwest Florida where Old Florida blends with today’s world. Explore No a rt id Contentshwest Flor 4 Springs 6 Inland State Parks 10 Coastal State Parks 14 Beaches 16 Trails 18 Paddling 20 Charming Towns 22 Map 24 Wildlife 26 Diving 28 Shores 30 History & Culture 32 Scenic Drives 34 Events 35 Eateries 36 Famous NW Floridians 38 Coastal Camp Sites 40 Inland Camp Sites 42 Participating Counties 43 Visitors Centers Contact Us [email protected] Website explorenwflorida.com Explore Northwest Florida regional visitors guide is published for Explore Northwest Florida organization.
    [Show full text]
  • Florida State Parks Data by 2021 Senate Districts
    Florida State Parks FY 2019-20 Data by 2021 Senate District s This compilation was produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation . FloridaStateParksFoundation.org . Statewide Totals • 175 Florida State Parks and Trails (164 Parks / 11 Trails) comprising nearly 800,000 Acres • $2.2 billion in direct impact to Florida’s economy • $150 million in sales tax revenue • 31,810 jobs supported • 25 million visitors served # of Economic Jobs Park Senate Districts Parks Impact Supported Visitors 1 Broxson, Doug 6 57,724,473 809 652,954 Big Lagoon State Park 10, 336, 536 145 110,254 Blackwater Heritage State Trail 18, 971, 114 266 218, 287 Blackwater River State Park 7, 101, 563 99 78,680 Perdido Key State Park 17, 191, 206 241 198, 276 Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park 3, 545, 446 50 40, 932 Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park 578, 608 8 6, 525 2 Gainer, George B. 12 147,736,451 2,068 1,637,586 Camp Helen State Park 3, 133, 710 44 32, 773 Deer Lake State Park 1, 738, 073 24 19, 557 Eden Gardens State Park 3, 235, 182 45 36, 128 Falling Waters State Park 5, 510, 029 77 58, 866 Florida Caverns State Park 4, 090, 576 57 39, 405 Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 7, 558,966 106 83, 636 Grayton Beach State Park 17, 072, 108 239 186, 686 Henderson Beach State Park 34, 067, 321 477 385, 841 Ponce de Leon Springs State Park 6, 911, 495 97 78, 277 St. Andrews State Park 41, 969, 305 588 472, 087 Three Rivers State Park 2,916,005 41 30,637 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 19,533,681 273 213, 693 3 Ausley, Loranne 25 91,986,319 1,288 970,697 Bald Point State Park 2, 779, 473 39 30, 621 Big Shoals State Park 1 , 136, 344 16 11, 722 Constitution Convention Museum State Park 112, 750 2 698 Econfina River State Park 972, 852 14 11, 198 Forest Capital Museum State Park 302, 127 4 2, 589 John Gorrie Museum State Park 269, 364 4 2, 711 Lake Jackson Mounds Archeological State Park 2, 022, 047 28 20, 627 Lake Talquin State Park 949, 359 13 8, 821 Letchworth-Love Mounds Archeological State Park 573, 926 8 5, 969 Maclay Gardens State Park, Alfred B.
    [Show full text]