First Day Hikes is a national event where tens of thousands of people get outdoors on New Year's Day. It’s a celebration of the new year and a way to start it right with a relaxing walk outdoors.

Why do rapids and shoals (shallow places in streams) exist in Big Shoals? The answer is geology!

November is Florida Paddlesports Month, and there’s no better place to get out on the water than at a Florida State Park.

Volunteer Julie Lake has lived a life outdoors. Originally from Jamaica, she moved to Florida as a child and spent all her time playing outside. She moved to Gainesville in 1998 and enjoys exploring the parks in the area.

Brianna Moorehead was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, and developed her interest in parks and recreation in 2018 on a trip to Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Like most visitors, she fell in love with the park.

Jan says that working for Florida State Parks is the best job she's ever had.

They call themselves “the camp host boys” and proudly carry that title as they cruise around the camping loops in their first ever volunteer position with Florida State Parks.

Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! He keeps Topsail looking its best while working with a positive attitude.

Ruben and Jann’s love of the outdoors inspires them to help preserve Florida’s natural landscapes.

John McKenzie, or Mac as his co-workers and friends know him, is the environmental specialist at Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park and is most at home when he is outdoors helping restore Florida’s natural habitats.

Karl rejoined the Talbot team as a full-time park ranger in July of 2021 and is loving every minute of it. He enjoys hiking, swimming, shelling and reading up on historical events in his free time. He recommends visitors interested in local history like him check out the Ribault Clubhouse on Fort George Island.

Lynn loves being a part of the Talbot team, enjoying the diversity of the job, the seven different parks and the people who visit them. She is passionate about the untamed Atlantic beaches here and especially enjoys assisting with sea turtle nesting and releases.

Steve is an "I'll do anything" kind of volunteer at Rish Recreational Area. His love for nature and a background in forestry contribute greatly to his knowledge about the park.

Anna's favorite part of being a Park Services Specialist is that it allows her to share nature's lessons and beauty with the visitors and volunteers at Rish.

Here at St. Andrews State Park, we are privileged to make meaningful connections with hard working and passionate volunteers. Volunteers Nick and Sara are no exception.

In 2014, I began my Florida Park Service career as an OPS at Ichetucknee Springs State Park and later became a Ranger at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and now; Big Shoals State Park.