Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that today VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service launched the State Parks component of the Share a Little Sunshine campaign.  The new campaign encourages Florida residents to invite friends and family to experience…the Real Florida by visiting its 160 state parks and historic sites and 11 state trails.

Through our Share A Little Sunshine platform, VISIT FLORIDA produced and is airing statewide public service announcements that encourage Floridians to invite out-of-state family and friends to experience Florida’s one-of-a-kind state parks this summer.  Governor Rick Scott and Florida’s First Lady appear in both PSAs.  VISIT FLORIDA also produced video vignettes for the web, highlighting 10 of Florida’s diverse state parks, from Northwest Florida to the Keys to the Atlantic Coast, as seen through the eyes of Florida visitors.

This collaboration between Florida’s award-winning state parks and VISIT FLORIDA’s award-winning Share a Little Sunshine program will help strengthen the state’s economy and create jobs.  Floridians are passionate about their state parks and this new Share a Little Sunshine campaign provides an opportunity, through the power of a personal invitation, for us all to encourage our friends and family to join in on experiencing Florida’s state parks this summer.

Florida’s state parks encompass more than 700,000 acres and span 1,620 miles of trails.  They attract more than 20 million visitors every year, making Florida’s parks and trails system one of the largest in the nation.  These parks and trails are indispensable elements of Florida’s natural resources and provide the state with educational, economical and recreational benefits.

Governor Scott proclaimed July as Park and Recreation Month.  Since 1985, state, national and local recreation areas throughout America have celebrated July with this designation.

“Florida’s state parks have something for everyone and are an ideal place to have fun with family and friends,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “Florida is home to an abundance of wildlife, natural communities and cultural heritage and our state parks and trails highlight the best recreational experiences Florida has to offer.”

Learn more about Florida State Parks this summer at VISITFLORIDA.com/stateparks and Get a little park on ya!