Green Vacations in Florida

People travel from around the world to vacation in Florida. You can do the same without depleting your wallet, gas tank or the environment. To find a state park within a 100-mile radius of any Florida city, visit One Tank Adventures. You can spend time at the beach, tube down a river, swim in a crystal-clear spring, camp under the stars or rent a cabin.

When planning a vacation this summer, travelers could also consider staying at one of the nearly 200 Florida Green Lodging properties throughout the state. A new tool on the Green Lodging Web site allows visitors to view designated properties and Florida State Parks all in the same interactive map. The easy-to-use map shows environmentally friendly travel destinations for the entire state.

Plant a Tree... with one click

Odwalla will plant a tree in a state park of your choice. Visit www.parkvisitor.com/odwalla and enter Florida to plant up to five trees. The more who sign on, the more trees Florida's state parks will get. Sign up today.

Caladesi Island Is Best Beach in 2008

Just before Memorial Day weekend, Caladesi Island State Park was recognized as the number one beach in the nation by coastal geologist Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach."

The park is accessible only by boat or ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing, while saltwater anglers can fish from their boats or throw a line out into the surf. Nature enthusiasts can glimpse wildlife while hiking the three-mile nature trail through the island’s interior or paddling a three mile kayak trail through the mangroves and bay. Picnic tables and shelters are located near the beach, and the park offers a marina with electric and water hookups for boaters.

Dr. Beach's "America's Best Beaches List" is an annual announcement made by Dr. Leatherman, director of Coastal Research at Florida International University in Miami. Leatherman’s yearly survey highlights the top destinations from his tour of 650 major public recreational beaches, evaluating beaches based on 50 different factors, including water color and temperature, sand color and softness, public access and area wildlife and vegetation.

Military Children Celebrate Florida State Parks at Special Event

--Military Children Celebrate Florida State Parks at Special Event--
“Florida State Parks are avid supporters of military families, and Operation Purple® is an excellent program for state parks to enrich children’s lives,” said Director of Florida State Parks Mike Bullock, a Vietnam Veteran. “The therapeutic nature of the great outdoors experienced in state parks will surely benefit the children during this difficult time in their lives.”

Special Events Highlight

• SEBRING CHAMBER 5 K RUN/WALK - Highlands Hammock State Park
  Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008. Race begins promptly at 7:30 a.m.
  Description: Sebring Chamber 5 K Run/Walk to benefit the Sebring Chamber of Commerce. Contact sarah@sebring.org or call (863) 385-8448 for registration forms, or follow the link to download the form: 5K Run Registration Form
  Fees: $15 preregistration or $20 race day. Park entry fees waived for all participants.
  Contact: Please contact the park at (727) 816-1890
  
• DIP – DESIGNATED INTERPRETIVE PADDLE - Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
  Date: Saturday Nov. 15th at 8am.
  Description: You will need your on own kayak or canoe and all the safety equipment required to operate on the water. This guided trip will last approx 2 hours giving participants an exciting view of some of the water ways of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State park. Launch location is at 9120 Old Post Road, Port Richey. Best to get there with time to unload boat and gear to be ready to get started by 8am. Rental boats available from local kayak shops. Some water will be provided.
  Fees: Rental boats available from local kayak shops. Costs is $15.00.
  Contact: Please contact the park at (727) 816-1890
  
• “HALLOWEEN IN THE WOODS” ANNUAL EVENT. - Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
  Date: Friday Oct. 24th and Saturday Oct. 25th from 6 to 10 pm.
  Description: Location is in a part of the park located just behind Sears at the Gulfview Square Mall, Port Richey. Spooky trails, candy, games, food, hayrides, pony rides and more. Cost is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under 12 years of age. Entrance fee includes walking the spooky trails, candy. There will be minimal fees for other activities. Kiddie trail for the small ones and fun for all ages. Costume contest on Saturday night for ages 12 and under, prizes for winners. In addition, this year there will be two night trail runs. A one mile “Night Owl Classic” that begins at 11pm and the 5k “Creature Feature” beginning at 12 midnight. These are trail/adventure runs and a flashlight or headlamp is required. Registration forms can be found at www.saltspringsalliance.com.
  Fees: Cost to participate in a run is $15.00 or $12.00 pre-registration. Fee includes event T-shirt.
  Contact: Please contact the park at (727) 816-1890
  

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