Go Outside. Enjoy Nature.

In his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv defines Nature-deficit Disorder as "the human cost of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and a higher rate of physical and emotional illnesses." Louv suggests that interaction with nature is essential to healthy human development.

June is National Get Outdoors Month but you don't have to wait until June to enjoy Florida's great outdoors. Go hiking, ride a bike, paddle a canoe, fish, watch birds or read a book under a shade tree. Go to the beach, take a swim at a spring, or cool off lakeside. Just go outside and enjoy Florida's sunshine and warm breeze.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail stretches 170-miles from White Springs to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the famed spring-cooled river, visitors can enjoy paddling, hiking, biking and horseback riding. Take an opportunity to explore the Suwannee's wilderness, its parks, its towns and its historic sites. Sleep under the stars, at a river camp, in a cabin, at a local motel or bed and breakfast.

Four river camps are located approximately 10 miles from established parks and campgrounds on the river. Each river camp features five screened sleeping platforms with electricity and ceiling fans, restrooms and showers and primitive camping sites for tents. River camps are accessible from the river. Outfitters can work with visitors to deliver gear, coolers and catered food to the river camps.

For more information: (800) 868-9914 or SuwanneeRiver.com.

56^th Annual Florida Folk Festival

Join us for the 56^th Annual Florida Folk Festival, Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25 at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. Since 1953, folk artists have gathered to celebrate Florida's land, people and cultural heritage. The event will feature more than 200 music performances, Florida arts and crafts, a Festival Market Place, delicious foods representing Florida's ethnic cultures, folk art demonstrations, storytelling and living history in the Seminole Family Camp.

Special Events Highlight

• FOREST CAPITAL MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL - Forest Capital Museum State Park
  Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2008.
  Description: Enjoy a wonderful day of music and art throughout the Forest Capital Complex. From 11:00am to 4:30pm at the outdoor stage area there will be ongoing music and performances. The Forest Capital Hall will show area students’ art work. This show and the outdoor concert will be free to the public. Among the musical performers will be fiddler Wayne Martin; he is being sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution in conjunction with their exhibit “Inspirations from the Forest” which is being shown in the museum. In case of rain, the events will be moved into the hall. The Forest Capital Museum will host a traditional and fine art show May 3rd -17th, 2008; admission is $1.00. Among the many artists in the festival is featured artist, Darin Mauldin and his stained and etched glass artwork. Bring the family, sunscreen, lawn chairs and enjoy the art in the park. For more information call the park (850)584-3227 or the festival chairman/coordinator Jeff Byers at (850)838-2802.
  
  May10th Music Performance Schedule
  • 11:00 a.m. – TCHS Symphonic Band
  • 11:30 a.m. – Madison County High School Jazz Band
  • 12:45 p.m. – Wayne Martin (Fiddler)
  • 1:30 p.m. – TCMS Symphonic Band
  • 2:00 p.m. – TCHS Drama Club
  • 2:30 p.m. – Coe Percussion Trio
  • 3:30 p.m. – Wayne Martin (Fiddler)
  • 4:00 p.m. – TCHS Auxiliary Guard
  • 4:15 p.m. – Daniel Perez – TCHS
  • 4:30 p.m. – Anna & Luke Kallschmidt Trace & Taylor Chaffin (Fiddle, guitar, bass, banjo, and percussion)
  
  
  Download our flyer! Forest Capital Music & Art Festival.
  Fees: Admission to the hall and festival are free! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the day. Admission to the art show in the Forest Capital Museum including entrance to the 1863 Cracker Homestead and the “Inspirations from the Forest” exhibit is $1.00.
  Contact: For more information, call 850-584-3227.
  
• MARZUQ SHRINERS 5K RUN - Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
  Date: Saturday, May 10th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park will host the Marzuq Shriners 5K run to benefit the Marzuq Shrine Center. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens.
  Fees: Park admission fee waived for participants
  Contact: Event coordinator Mike Lampla (850)576-9300
  
• SEA TURTLES - Little Talbot Island State Park
  Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2008. 3:00 p.m.
  Description: Join a park ranger to learn about the lifecycle of the sea turtle and the importance of these magnificent and gentle creatures. The program will take place at pavilion five on Little Talbot Island. No reservations are necessary and the program is free with regular park admission.
  
  Fees: This program is free with regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-251-2320.
  

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