Florida State Parks Foundation

10/22/2026

Thank you to the park managers and CSO presidents in District 3 for a fantastic meeting at Wekiwa Springs State Park this week!

Our Director of Development, Tyler Van Buren, was on-hand to share some Foundation updates, and our Board Secretary, Don Philpott, attended on behalf of the Foundation and the Wekiva Wilderness Trust, too!

We relish every opportunity to visit a state park and spend time with people who are passionate about Florida's natural wonders. Thanks for having us, District 3!

10/21/2026

Say hello to our 2026-27 Florida State Parks Foundation Board Officers! We officially confirmed the officer slate at our 2026 Annual Meeting earlier today, and we are so excited to embark on the year ahead with this talented and dedicated team!

✨ Matt Caldwell — President
✨ Tom Pennekamp — Vice President
✨ Don Philpott — Secretary
✨ Jackye Maxey — Treasurer
✨ Kathleen Brennan — Immediate Past President

Thank you Matt, Tom, Don, Jackye and Kathleen for your incredible service to the Foundation and our award-winning state parks!

10/20/2026

Is there anything the amazing Florida State Parks strike teams can’t do? We think not!

(Congratulations, David and Nicole! 💍💚)

When tried to rain on this Florida couple’s big day, Florida State Parks got the job done.

David and Nicole’s wedding was scheduled to take place at Eden Gardens State Park just a few days after Hurricane Isaias’ landfall. Park staff and a strike team worked together to clear the area for the wedding, and thanks to their hard work, David and Nicole got to have their special day as planned.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

***
📍: Eden Gardens State Park

💡: Plan your adventure at FloridaStateParks.org. Before you visit, check the KNOW BEFORE YOU GO section on the park’s webpage for real-time updates and helpful information.

10/20/2026

🍁 Two weeks to go! 🍁

We set a goal to add 1️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ new members throughout the month of October, and the finish line is in sight!

Do you love:
🍁 Our award-winning state parks?
🍁 The crisp feel of fall in the air?
🍁 Cool parks-themed swag like stickers and magnets?
🍁 Complimentary park day passes?

Then our Autumn 2026 Membership Drive is for you!

Join today! 👉 https://secure.everyaction.com/STkanedDtkSO1y7iNvtkWA2

10/19/2026

WATCH 📺: "They’re battery-powered, so rangers don’t have to rely on gas to fuel the tools.”

Thank you to WTXL Tallahassee for joining us at Maclay Gardens earlier this month and spreading the word about our exciting news with STIHL | STIHLSoutheast!

10/16/2026

🍁 Fall colors? In Florida? You'd better believe it!

The air is crisp, the temperatures are cooling down — check out that cold front headed our way this weekend! — and our state parks are home to native tree species that are absolutely 😍gorgeous😍 this time of year!

Need some suggestions before heading out on your autumn adventure? Travel + Leisure has a guide to get you started! (Make sure to check it out, especially if you're in North Florida and the Panhandle!)

Read more👉 : https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-florida-state-parks-for-fall-foliage-12068560

And no matter where you are, the official Florida State Parks events calendar is packed full of things to do this weekend!

Check it out!👉 : https://www.floridastateparks.org/events

Planning to visit a state park this weekend? Let us know where in the comments!

10/15/2026

💬 “Zero emissions, which of course is a benefit to our parks. Quieter, which everyone appreciates in a park. And friendlier to our wildlife habitat – it turns out they like it quieter, too.”

Thank you to The Florida Channel for featuring our partnership with STIHL | STIHLSoutheast on Capitol Update Extended!

📺 WATCH: https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/10-9-26-capitol-update-extended-state-parks-get-new-quieter-tools-and-equipment/

10/14/2026

ICYMI: Last week, we team up with our amazing partners at STIHL | STIHLSoutheast to announce a $250,000 investment in new battery-powered tools, machinery and equipment for Florida State Parks!

Check out all the scenes and smiles from the day!

📸: Don Juan Moore
📍: Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park | Tallahassee

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

🦇🎃 Just in time for Spooky Season, glow-in-the-dark Florida State Parks stickers are back!🦇🎃

We're celebrating spiderwebs, scarecrows and the chill in the air with one of our favorite merch items: Florida State Parks glow-in-the-dark stickers from our friends at Jelly Press!

Order today, and you'll receive a glow-in-the-dark version of Jelly Press' iconic state parks sticker that directly supports our mission to preserve, protect, sustain and grow Florida's award-winning state parks!

(We think glow-in-the-dark stickers make a great addition to any trick-or-treater's basket on Halloween, too!)

Want yours? Get it here! 👉 https://secure.everyaction.com/wHAO64HCpkWoBOzTMlbPew2