August 2019 – Allie Hellier is headed back to school this month after “finding her park” in South Florida. In a final blog post, Allie reflects on the people she met and the lessons she learned while on assignment in South Florida’s national parks. By Allison Hellier Endings are uncomfortable. It means forging into the
Continue reading »Category Archives: "Dry Tortugas National Park"
Scientists Find a “Rare Window” into Shark Behavior in Dry Tortugas National Park
June 2019 – Researchers are headed back to Dry Tortugas National Park this month to study nurse sharks during mating season in the park. Scientists have been tagging and tracking nurse sharks in the clear, shallow waters of the park for more than 27 years. SFNPT Intern Allison Hellier recently listened to a presentation on
Continue reading »Giving Children the Gift of Nature
May 2019 – SFNPT Executive Director Don Finefrock wrote this article for the May 2019 edition of Preservation Today, the magazine of Dade Heritage Trust. Learn more about Dade Heritage Trust at http://dadeheritagetrust.org/ More than 18,000 school children discovered nature last year on national park field trips funded by the South Florida National Parks Trust.
Continue reading »Biscayne Bay Brewing partners with SFNPT to support Marine Conservation in South Florida
Photo: Volunteers from Biscayne Bay Brewing remove marine debris from turtle nesting beaches in Biscayne National Park as part of a new partnership with the SFNPT. May 2019 – Biscayne Bay Brewing Company is giving back to support local marine conservation efforts through a new partnership with the South Florida National Parks Trust (SFNPT). For every
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 »Lucky 7 – SFNPT Approves $777,000 in New Grants for South Florida’s National Parks
September 2018 – The South Florida National Parks Trust has approved $777,289 in new grants for South Florida’s national parks. The funding will support park programs and projects in five critical areas: environmental education for local school children, habitat restoration and wildlife conservation, volunteer activities, ranger programs for the public, and community engagement. A complete
Continue reading »SFNPT Launches Environmental Leadership Program Focused on South Florida’s National Parks
(Photo Courtesy of Haniel Pulido Jr.) January 2018 – A new environmental leadership program begins this month in Miami with a class of 12 professionals under the age of 40 who will spend the next six months exploring South Florida’s national parks and learning about environmental issues. The National Park Ambassadors Program seeks to connect a
Continue reading »Status Report: Hurricane Irma and South Florida’s National Parks
October 10, 2017 – Hurricane Irma swept through South Florida on Sunday September 10 leaving a trail of damage in all four South Florida national parks. The National Park Service has been providing damage assessments and updates on recovery efforts since shortly after the storm. The final update is posted below, with earlier postings. Highlights include:
Continue reading »The SFNPT is having a Birthday… Here’s “15 Reasons to Celebrate”
June 2017 – The South Florida National Park Trust turns 15 this month and we’re celebrating with the top 15 reasons why your support for national parks matters. Lots of friends groups have been around for 15 years, but few have as many reasons to celebrate as we do. The SFNPT has 150,000 reasons to celebrate
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