State Parks Partner with Local and State Reading Organizations to Promote Literacy

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida State Parks are partnering with the Florida Department of State (DOS), Florida Department of Education (DOE), the Florida Lottery, Volunteer USA Foundation, Florida Literacy Coalition, Adult and Community Educators of Florida, Inc., local libraries, schools and reading programs statewide to celebrate literacy in September. During the month of September, visitors can enter state parks for free by presenting a library card or library book, or by donating a new or gently used family book.

{sidebar id=1}“Partnering with reading advocates in our state parks offers both children and adults an exciting and fresh way to learn about the environment while promoting the importance of literacy,” said DEP’s Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. “There is a natural connection between environmental education and literacy.”

Local libraries are promoting the month-long celebration in state parks through book displays and mobile unit visits in conjunction with Library Card Sign-up Month, sponsored by the American Library Association encouraging parents and kids to sign-up for a library card. In addition, age specific reading lists that focus on Florida’s wildlife, history and recreational opportunities were distributed to libraries and schools across the state. DOE will also help circulate donated books during the month to children and schools in need.

On September 8th, Florida State Parks will hold special events celebrating International Literacy Day in Florida as recognized by Governor Crist and the Florida Cabinet. Those events and other September literacy events in Northwest Florida state parks include:

WAKULLA COUNTY

Just Read, Florida! at Ochlockonee River State Park
Read with Park Staff
Saturday, September 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy a good book under tall trees while park volunteers read aloud to celebrate International Literacy Day.

Just Read, Florida! at Wakulla Springs State Park
Reflections Over the Spring
Saturday, September 8, 2007 9:00 – 11:00 am
Float over the spring in a glassbottom boat while local narrators convey the artful word. Boats will depart at 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 and tours are available on a first come, first serve basis. Additional narrators will read from their favorite books as guests sit under the shade trees on the beach. A towel or chair is suggested. The Wakulla County Library is a partner in this event and will be giving away paperback books. For more information, call (850) 224-5950.

LEON COUNTY

Just Read, Florida! at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Story Time in the Gardens
Saturday, September 8, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Volunteers and staff members will read children’s stories at several different locations in the gardens. Among the readers is Dr. Evan Lefsky, the Executive Director of Just Read, Florida!

Just Read, Florida! at Lake Jackson Mounds State Park
Story Time
Saturday, September 15, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 am.
A park ranger will read children’s stories at Lake Jackson.

This article originally published on September 4, 2007.

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