Timucuan Parks Foundation (TPF) and its park partners, JaxParks and Florida State Parks, hosted multiple youth groups this summer at local wilderness parks and preserves as part of its Outdoor Explorations program.
From exploring winding trails and identifying nesting shorebirds to discovering the wonders of local ecosystems, the youth engaged in various enriching activities that fostered teamwork, curiosity and stewardship. These immersive outings introduced participants to the beauty of Jacksonville’s outdoor spaces and the importance of preserving and understanding the environment.
Through guided hikes, kayaking, educational visits and hands-on projects, the foundation’s summer programs created lasting memories and sparked a lifelong love for nature among the children and teens. Participants included Communities in Schools, Saint John’s Cathedral’s Creation Keepers, We C.O.P.E. and Groundwork Jacksonville.
“It was a busy summer, packed with some great experiences for these local kids who had a chance to get out and experience all our parks have to offer,” said Felicia Boyd, program and outreach director for TPF. “We thank our park partners and volunteers for working alongside us to showcase these wonderful places and provide the youth with a fun, educational time in the parks.”
Six enthusiastic groups of students from Communities in Schools embarked on adventures at several of Jacksonville’s wilderness parks and preserves, including Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Huguenot Memorial Park, Little Talbot Island State Park and Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park.
During their visits, the students immersed themselves in shoreline habitat education, shorebird identification and conservation, hiking, nature center visits and service-learning projects.
At Tillie K. Fowler, students participated in an invasive plant removal project, helping to improve the biodiversity around the Nature Center. Communities in Schools is a nonprofit dedicated to helping students succeed by providing unique educational opportunities such as these summer programs.
TPF spent three days with groups from Saint John’s Cathedral’s Creation Keepers, a program focused on engaging children in learning about the natural world. The children learned about backyard birds and why birds matter, went hiking at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park and visited the nature center at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, where they learned about wildlife and hiked along the Tower trail.
Groups from We C.O.P.E Inc. and Groundwork Jacksonville were also hosted in coordination with JaxParks at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Youth from the two groups were treated to kayaking and hiking. We C.O.P.E. is a nonprofit dedicated to providing opportunities for underserved communities with a focus on environmental stewardship. Groundwork Jacksonville works with TPF each summer as part of its Green Team Youth Corps program to provide healthy outdoor recreation and service-learning projects to teens from the urban core.
Sheronda Holzendorf, founder and president of We C.O.P.E Inc. shared the impact from the event.
“There were so many ‘firsts’ for our group, and I’m confident they won’t be the last,” she said. “Despite the heat, our youth and parents stayed engaged and excited throughout the day. Since meeting Park Ranger Steven, Q, and all of the amazing people who helped make this trip possible, our families have gained not only wonderful memories but also new opportunities for growth and connection. We are truly grateful.”
In all, TPF provided 11 programs to nine different groups of children and teens this summer, funded in part by a Boeing grant and an “Elevate” grant from RS&H Architecture, Engineering and Consulting Firm.
To learn more about TPF’s youth education program, go to timucuanparks.org/youth-education.