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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP)
Florida State Parks are celebrating the second annual Literacy Month this
September at each of the state’s 161 state parks. In conjunction with
International Literacy Day on September 8 and National Library Card Signup
Month, entrance to all of Florida’s state parks will be free the week of
September 7-13 for visitors who bring a library card, library book, or who
donate a new or gently used family book.
“Promoting literacy at Florida’s state parks creates an appreciation for both
reading and the environment that visitors can take back to the classroom and
community, said Florida State Park Director Mike Bullock. “September’s Literacy
Month is the perfect time for all park visitors, including families and schools
to experience resource-based recreation while enhancing the mind through
literacy events.”
Florida’s state parks, along with local libraries and schools, will host a
variety of events during September including book readings, author appearances
and book exchanges. Books donated during Literacy Month will go to schools and
libraries in need or be used for permanent book exchanges within state park
collections. The Florida Department of Education’s (DOE) Just Read, Florida!
program will also distribute lists of nature-themed reading materials to
libraries and educators, and Literacy Month bookmarks will be distributed at
libraries, bookstores and state parks through a partnership with the Florida
Lottery.
“Literacy Month is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about
Florida’s natural, cultural and literary resources,” said Education Commissioner
Dr. Eric J. Smith. “Reading is the foundation for academic success and our
partnerships will bring an increased focus to the importance of literacy.”
Partners in the Literacy Month celebration include the Florida Department of
State, Florida Department of Education, the Florida Lottery, Volunteer USA
Foundation, Florida Literacy Coalition, Adult and Community Educators of
Florida, Inc., local libraries, schools and reading programs statewide. More
than 1.3 million visitors participated in the September 2007 Literacy Month
celebration, with nearly 35,000 people participating in 60 events statewide.
State parks collected 10,000 books for donation and DEP and the Florida Lottery
distributed 15,000 bookmarks to libraries and bookstores throughout the state.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park
service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with
161 parks spanning nearly 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. From
swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or
hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer
year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle re-enactments and Native
American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums
and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage. Florida’s state
parks are also home to the 2008 Best Beach in the nation, Caladesi Island State
Park, located off the coast of Southwest Florida in Pinellas County.
For more information about Florida State Parks’ Literacy Month celebration
and a list of events, visit
www.floridastateparks.org.
Florida State Parks
Literacy Month Proclamation [PDF - 391 KB]
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