The world celebrated Earth Day on April 22, an annual time to reflect on our planet and its natural wonders. This year, we'd like to acknowledge some of the work that has been and is currently being done in our state parks to ensure that Florida’s natural beauty can be enjoyed for generations.

As temperatures drop across the country, people flock to Florida to escape the cold and enjoy the beautiful weather. Just like humans, many animals migrate to and within the Sunshine State to better survive the colder months of winter. That makes January a great time to spot wildlife that would otherwise be out of state or out of sight, so here are a few animals to keep watch for while exploring our state parks!

In 2022, 70 Florida State Parks staff joined Department of Environmental Protection water quality experts to find new ways to tell the story of Florida's springs.