Media Release
Jacksonville, Fla., July 19, 2021 – Timucuan Parks Foundation and JaxParks will be hosting a park workday at Castaway Island Preserve on July 21. Volunteers are asked to join the organizations from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help with litter pickup and maintenance of the trails and pollinator garden at the preserve. Castaway Island Preserve is located at 2921 San Pablo Rd. S.
Volunteers are needed to help with litter pickup and maintenance of the trails and pollinator garden
Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, clothes that can get dirty, and bring work gloves (if possible), sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, sunglasses and a full reusable water bottle. A warning: yellow flies are out and can be annoying. Please consider wearing long-sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat. Timucuan Parks Foundation will have additional work gloves, equipment and supplies, and will provide snacks and water.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome and can use these volunteer events to earn community service hours.Those under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or scout leader during the project. Registration is not required. Waivers can be obtained in advance at timucuanparks.com/volunteer/.
The final summer volunteer opportunity will be held on Aug. 4 at Reddie Point Preserve and will include a special guest. Danielle Carlino with Safe Kids Northeast Florida at THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health led by Wolfson Children’s Hospital will be discussing open water safety in local waterways including creeks, lakes, rivers and the ocean. She will provide safety tips and information including the significance of wearing a life jacket. For more information, visit timucuanparks.com/volunteer/, email [email protected], or call (904) 374-1107.
Jacksonville’s preservation parks were chosen strategically to provide access to all residents and ecosystem benefits to the entire area. Not only do they provide a buffer to control urban sprawl and form a “ring of parks” to define Jacksonville, but they also provide ecosystem services that help protect us from natural disasters. Trail maintenance, shoreline cleanups, invasive plant removals, native planting and other maintenance and beautification projects are vitally important to the health and resiliency of our parks, preserves, and the overall community.
About Timucuan Parks Foundation
Timucuan Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization that preserves, promotes and enhances Jacksonville’s natural areas through community engagement, education and enjoyment. The foundation originated in 1999 with the Preservation Project Jacksonville, Inc. to identify and assist in acquiring the most vulnerable and environmentally sensitive lands in Duval County. The acquisition of lands created the largest urban park system in the United States. TPF works with its park partners, including the National Park Service, Florida State Parks and the City of Jacksonville, and other community partners to promote environmental stewardship, the health benefits of the parks and preserves, and an appreciation for Jacksonville’s special outdoor spaces. For more information, visittimucuanparks.org or follow @timucuanparks.