March 2019 – Biscayne National Park Superintendent Margaret Goodro is headed west to assume the top job at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The National Park Service announced the move on March 25 (see below). No word on a replacement yet at Biscayne National Park. The SFNPT has worked with Goodro and park staff
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New Fire Fund Supports Enhanced Training for Big Cypress Firefighters
February 2019 – The South Florida National Parks Trust has established a Big Cypress Fire Fund to support the training and professional development of the Big Cypress firefighters who battle wildfires and manage prescribed burns in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Challenge Match: For a limited time, donations made to the BIG CYPRESS FIRE FUND will be
Continue reading »The Impact of a Shutdown on South Florida’s National Parks
January 2019 – The government shutdown that began just before Christmas has become a gut-wrenching experience for people who love national parks, including the park rangers who have been told to stay home while parks remain open. Images of uncollected garbage, human waste and butchered trees in places like Yosemite Valley and Joshua Tree National
Continue reading »Parks Stay Open during Shutdown With a Little Help from Friends
South Florida’s National Parks Stay Open, Stay Clean With a Little Help from their Friends January 2019 – A government shutdown was not the way we wanted to start the new year, but here we are. The good news: South Florida’s national parks are open for business, despite a lack of park rangers, and the parks are
Continue reading »4th Annual Wine & Wildlife Celebrates National Parks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Don Finefrock 305-665-4769 January 17, 2019 dfinefrock@southfloridaparks.org Media Alert – Wildlife biologist Joe Wasilewski and former National Park Service Director Fran Mainella are each available for interviews prior to the event date. Wine & Wildlife Event Celebrates South Florida’s National Parks NAPLES – Conservation biologist Joe Wasilewski was an Army MP
Continue reading »Here Comes the Sun: $25,000 Donation Sparks Shark Valley Solar Project
December 2018 – It’s an intriguing fact of nature that alligators, the ubiquitous denizens of the Everglades, are solar powered, with scaly skin that optimizes the sun’s rays to maintain energy. Now, thanks to a grant from Florida Power & Light (FPL) and the company’s gift of solar panels, the sun will power the Shark
Continue reading »Higher Entrance Fees at Everglades National Park take effect in January 2019
December 2018 – Entrance fees at Everglades National Park are slated to rise in early January to help pay for new services including overnight lodging and a restaurant in Flamingo and deferred maintenance throughout the park. The park announced the new fees earlier this month (see below). For a complete list of fees, visit https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/fee-change-faqs.htm FOR
Continue reading »Big Cypress Announces Winter Schedule of Ranger Programs
December 2018 – December marks the start of the busy season in South Florida’s national parks, a time when weather and wildlife are best. Check out the winter schedule of programs at Big Cypress National Preserve announced this month, and check the preserve’s website for updates. Winter 2018 through Spring 2019 Ranger-Led Programs Join us
Continue reading »Kayaks and Camping, Houseboats and more… New Things to Do in Flamingo this Season
October 2018 – Things are looking up for the start of season in Flamingo this year. There’s a new concessionaire (Guest Services) in charge of the campground, the marina store, houseboat rentals, back-country boat tours and more. Check out what’s new on the company’s website and stay tuned for updates (like the news release below from
Continue reading »Countdown to 50: Biscayne Celebrates a Big Birthday
October 2018 – Biscayne National Park’s 50th birthday celebration wraps up this month with three days of special events starting October 18 – the date President Lyndon Johnson created a national park to protect Biscayne Bay, its barrier islands and coral reefs. The park has a full schedule of activities planned to mark the occasion (see
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