AmeriCorps Florida State Parks
Encyclopedia
AmeriCorps Florida State Parks is an AmeriCorps
program hosted by Florida State Parks
that began operating in 1997. Members earn an educational award by performing a minimal of 1700 service hours within the program.
The program has 50 members that is divided into 30 Individual Placement members and two teams of 10 members that serve out of O’Leno (near Gainesville) or Wekiwa Springs (near Orlando) State Park. These members primarily focus on resource management and travel to other parks to provide service. The 30 Individual Placement members serve a specific park and may periodically join up with one or both of the teams for projects. The Individual Placement members are placed in parks throughout the state.
The work done by each member differs in accordance with the particular needs of the region or park. However, all of the members engage in some amount of the following activities:
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush...
program hosted by Florida State Parks
Florida State Parks
The Florida State Parks encompass the majority of the lands that fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are 160 such entities, including nature reserves, recreation areas, and historic sites, which can be found in every corner of the state...
that began operating in 1997. Members earn an educational award by performing a minimal of 1700 service hours within the program.
The program has 50 members that is divided into 30 Individual Placement members and two teams of 10 members that serve out of O’Leno (near Gainesville) or Wekiwa Springs (near Orlando) State Park. These members primarily focus on resource management and travel to other parks to provide service. The 30 Individual Placement members serve a specific park and may periodically join up with one or both of the teams for projects. The Individual Placement members are placed in parks throughout the state.
The work done by each member differs in accordance with the particular needs of the region or park. However, all of the members engage in some amount of the following activities:
- habitatHabitat (ecology)A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
restoration, usually through planting of native vegetation combined with invasive exotic species removal directed at imported trees and vines which displace the local ecosystemEcosystemAn ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
; substantial invasive populations include Australian pine, melaleucaMelaleucaMelaleuca is a genus of plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae known for its natural soothing and cleansing properties. There are well over 200 recognised species, most of which are endemic to Australia...
, and Brazilian pepperBrazilian pepperSchinus terebinthifolius is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, that is native to subtropical and tropical South America... - Building park access facilities such as nature trails, bridges, boardwalks, and fences
- Bringing park facilities into ADA compliance by building wheelchair ramps and widening building entranceways
- Prescribed burns designed to simulate small forest fires that would occur naturally
- Cultural and historical restoration of state historic sites
- Environmental education of the local community, through programs conducted within the parks, and through visits to local schools
- Cultural and historical education through programs conducted at state historic sites