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Strolling through a forest or relaxing by a lake can make us feel better — and lower stress has mental and physical benefits. Sometimes it’s difficult to make time for the outdoors, but getting just a little bit of nature can have a big positive impact.

Florida State Parks have some of the nation’s best beaches, and they’re also important refuges for wildlife. If you plan to visit the beach this summer, check out these practical tips for making the beach safer for wildlife.

Great news — state parks are growing! Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet recently approved several park land acquisitions as part of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Forever land conservation program.

July 16 is World Snake Day, and Florida is a great place to celebrate. Why would anyone celebrate snakes? Often thought to be ominous, snakes have an important role in the ecosystem and are usually not dangerous to people. We talked to two Florida Park Service snake experts to learn more.

Need a break from the ordinary? Explore Park Zen with your favorite device and discover the rejuvenating power of Florida State Parks.

During the spring and summer months, news reports of wildland fires raging somewhere in the nation are common. Sometimes, state park staff are called upon by the Florida Forest Service to fight fire both within and outside of state parks.

Do you ever notice bird sounds outside your window, or catch sight of fluttering movement in the canopy during a walk in the park? There are about 330 native species of birds in Florida, and you can find many of them in Florida State Parks.

Two Florida State Park beaches have been recognized among the best in the nation on Stephen "Dr. Beach" Leatherman's Top 10 Beach List for 2020. Grayton Beach State Park is ranked at No. 1 and Caladesi Island State Park is ranked at No. 6. Both parks offer white sand beaches, beautiful scenery and amenities for visitors to enjoy.

The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating the natural beauty of American gardens by issuing stamps that feature gardens ranging from botanical to country estate and municipal gardens. One of the 10 gardens featured on the new stamp series is Florida’s own Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park.

Florida is home to five species of sea turtles. Many of the 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks provide nesting habitat for sea turtles. You can celebrate with us by checking out our critter sheets, coloring pages and a turtle-y awesome episode of The Outsiders Club.

Welcome to becoming a Virtual Junior Ranger. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program is a fun and engaging way to learn about parks and connect to the natural and cultural wonders of Florida.  

Sebastian Inlet is a beautiful place where land meets sea. Check out the latest photos of the north jetty and watch the surf on these two webcams.

Check out this webcam to watch the manatees swim in the spring at Blue Spring State Park.

What happens when A LOT of people want to tube the Ichetucknee River? How do we ensure that the experience will be just as fun next year, for those wishing to tube it for the first time or the next time? It’s a delicate balance between protecting the resource and encouraging visitors to experience it. Join Park Biologist Sam Cole in this edition of the Biologists Tell the Story as he explains the science behind the balancing act.

Many of the 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks provide nesting habitat for sea turtles. As nesting season begins, park staff and biologists are preparing to monitor nests and keep them safe. The majority of nesting takes place between March and October.

Do you ever think about what’s under your feet? Archaeologists do! Most of what we know about Florida’s long inhabitation by Native Americans comes from the work of archaeologists who carefully uncover buried or hidden artifacts. Florida State Parks protect this archaic evidence and tell the story of the state’s past.