Timucuan Parks Foundation

Ready for a golden hour moment? Head to one of these peaceful spots for wide-open skies and glowing views:

📍 Dutton Island Preserve – marshy magic
📍 Thomas Creek Preserve – serene trails and quiet beauty
📍 Reddie Point Preserve – panoramic riverfront

Tag us in your sunset shots and we’ll share a few favorites!

Want to connect with like-minded people and make a real difference in your community?

Join the TPF Young Professional Stewards — a group of nature-loving changemakers in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s who care about conservation, community, and connection.

From volunteering in local parks to hosting cleanup events, fundraisers, and outdoor adventures, our YPs are building a better future for Northeast Florida — one hike, one project, one friendship at a time.

💚 Meet like-minded people
🌿 Give back to the parks you love
🎉 Get exclusive invites to fun and meaningful events

Ready to roll up your sleeves and explore what matters?

👉 Learn more and join today: www.timucuanparks.org/membership/young-professionals

What happens when volunteers, conservation, and community partnerships come together?

Recently, TPF Young Professional Stewards Carson, Daniel, Jordan, Shane, and Taya joined Trail Team lead Alex to help clear overgrown grapevine from a local property. Instead of going to waste, the vines were donated to the zoo, where they're now being enjoyed by rhinos, warthogs, and primates. 🦏🐗🐒

It's a great example of how stewardship can create unexpected benefits, not just for our parks and public lands, but for our broader community as well.

Thank you to these volunteers for rolling up their sleeves and making a positive impact in more ways than one! 🌿

An urban trail with rural charm. ✨

The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail stretches 14.5 miles along a former railway corridor—perfect for biking, jogging, or walking in the shade of towering oaks and pines. With trailheads and facilities along the way, it’s a favorite for long-distance recreation.

📍 East trailhead: 1800 Imeson Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32220
⏱️ Open daily, sunrise to sunset
🎟️ Free entry
🚲 14.5-mile paved trail with equestrian and off-road paths
🌲 Canopies of forest and quiet farmland views
🛤️ Trailheads with parking and restrooms

Hit the trail: https://www.timucuanparks.org/parks/jacksonville-baldwin-rail-trail

Birds, beaches, and a little bit of discovery. 🐦

Join the Florida Shorebird Alliance for a guided walk along Amelia Island's shoreline as we explore the habitats that shorebirds and seabirds depend on to survive.

You'll stroll about a mile down the beach to the Amelia Island Critical Wildlife Area, where an active seabird colony offers a unique opportunity to observe nesting birds in their natural habitat. Along the way, you'll learn bird identification tips, observe wildlife behavior, and gain a deeper understanding of the coastal ecosystems that make Northeast Florida so special.

🗓️ Sunday, June 28, 2026
⏰ 8 to 9:30 a.m.
📍 Amelia Island State Park

The walk is approximately 2 miles roundtrip, and participants are welcome to return to the parking area with guides or continue exploring the park on their own afterward. Plus, there will be an optional activity for anyone who wants to document their observations during the walk.

Come ready to learn, explore, and see the beach from a new perspective.

🔗 Register today: https://tinyurl.com/yk6az36z

This summer, we're collecting patches — and not the kind you sew onto a backpack 😉

The kind that come from paddling a new waterway. Discovering a trail you didn't know existed. Watching a sunset from a place that makes you forget to check your phone.

Every outdoor adventure leaves its mark.

Through our Great Outdoors Campaign, we're working to protect the parks, trails, and wild places that make those moments possible.

And thanks to the Marco Family Foundation, the first $12,500 donated will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

👉 Make your gift today and help us collect a few more patches: timucuanparks.org/great-outdoors

The best part of camping might just be dinner. 🔥

Join Timucuan Parks Foundation for an evening of outdoor cooking, good food, and new skills at our Camp Cooking Workshop on Friday, June 12!

🍴 Learn practical camp cooking techniques from Chef Mark
🏕️ Discover easy recipes for the campground, the trail, or your own backyard
😋 Enjoy a full tasting menu featuring appetizers, an entrée, and dessert

Whether you're a seasoned camper or brand new to cooking outdoors, this hands-on workshop will help you build confidence around the campfire and add a few new recipes to your outdoor adventures.

📅 Friday, June 12, 2026
⏰ 6–8 p.m.
📍 Castaway Island Preserve

🎟️ $15 for TPF Members | $30 for Non-Members

Space is limited, so grab your spot today! Bring your appetite, comfortable closed-toe shoes, water, bug spray, and a sense of curiosity—we'll handle the rest!

👉 Click here to register: https://www.timucuanparks.org/calendar/camp-cooking-workshop

Future park stewards were hard at work at Reddie Point Preserve! 🌿

Recently, Timucuan Parks Foundation partnered with Project One Health and Groundwork Jacksonville to welcome 13 KIPP students for a day of hands-on learning in the outdoors. ☀️

Students helped remove litter from the preserve, discovered how different bird species are adapted to find food through an interactive "Beak Game", and created pine cone bird feeders to support local wildlife at home.

Experiences like these do more than teach science and conservation — they help young people build a connection to nature that can last a lifetime. 💚

We're grateful for our partners who help bring nature-based education to local youth and can't wait for future adventures together!

You don’t have to spend a dime to have an incredible day in nature. As you head into the weekend, consider trying one of these:

🥾 Hike a trail you’ve never visited before
🌊 Watch the tide roll in from a boardwalk
🐢 Go wildlife-spotting—look for gopher tortoises or osprey
📖 Journal, sketch, or just sit quietly in a hammock
📸 Take photos of your favorite plants or views
🧹 Volunteer for a cleanup (we'll even give you gloves!)

Your next adventure is closer than you think. Plan your next park visit here: https://www.timucuanparks.org/parks

An important reminder from the parks: Protect your skin.

Whether you're exploring Pumpkin Hill Creek, paddling the marsh, or birding in the open sun, a layer of SPF is your best friend.

☀️ Apply sunscreen before hitting the trails
🧢 Wear a hat and UV-protective gear
💧 Stay hydrated

It’s simple self-care that lets you enjoy the outdoors longer.

Find a park to explore today (with sunscreen of course): https://www.timucuanparks.org/parks