Message from Our Director

Burrowing Four O’clock 

Little wonders in Florida’s state parks. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the recovery efforts that are underway at several of Florida’s state parks as a result of Hurricane Helene. Our hearts go out to those in Florida and throughout the southeast who have been affected by the storm. The Florida Park Service is hard at work assessing, repairing and safely reopening. Check our storm updates page for the latest information. 

These storms got me thinking about an important little plant in Florida’s state parks. 

Down in south Florida, a state-listed endangered plant known as Burrowing Four O’clock (okenia hypogaea) can be found at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. This purple-flowered groundcover plant is a pioneer species, meaning that it is one of the first on-scene after landscape disturbances, like hurricanes. This plant helps stabilize the sand dunes, allowing other vegetation to fill in and begin the coastal restoration process and providing habitat for typical species of the area such as ghost crabs, saltmarsh tiger-beetles and yellow-crowned night-heron. This process reminds me of the way nature began to restore itself in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, which deeply affected Jackson County, where I live.  

On the lighter side of things, October is Florida Greenways and Trails month, and we encourage you to find a trail for hiking, biking, paddling or horseback riding—explore however you like! 

There’s so much to discover in…the Real Florida, and these miraculous systems of nature are at work every day right in our own backyard. We hope you get to take time to appreciate these little wonders and feel the hope they bring.  

See you in the parks, 

Chuck Hatcher, Director

Florida State Parks