An award-winning friends group established in 1993, the nonprofit supports Highlands Hammock and Lake June-in-Winter Scrub state parks by raising funds. The mission of the Friends of Highlands Hammock is to promote a partnership between the local community and Highlands Hammock. They assist park management in obtaining goals and objectives.
The Friends of Highlands Hammock citizen support organization is unique in operating the Hammock Inn Concession. The group is notable for supporting special events such as the firefly nights tram tours, improving the parks for enhanced visitor experience and conducting tram tours for park guests.
The friends board also sponsors and hosts an ambitious Music in the Park concert series, 5K runs, resource management projects and recreation.
In March of 2021, the Friends received an award from the Florida State Parks Foundation for the Historic Orange Grove Restoration. Their most recent venture is the September 2021 launch of their new website.
