About the Friends of Fakahatchee

About the Friends of Fakahatchee

Friends of Fakahatchee: Dedicated to financial and volunteer support to preserve the unique ecology and cultural heritage of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and educate the public about its importance.

Friends

Francine Stevens is a hands-on President for the Friends of Fakahatchee.

We all chip in – Francine Stevens helps paint the US 41 boardwalk sign.

Welcome to the Friends of Fakahatchee website where you will discover how important this non-profit organization is to the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

We are a Citizen Support Organization (CSO) and exist to support the park’s operations by working in concert with the objectives consistent with the park Unit Management Plan (UMP).

The Friends of Fakahatchee (FOF) work hand in hand with park staff to provide resource-based recreation while educating, preserving and restoring natural resources. One of FOF’s important missions is to educate the public about the fragility of the Fakahatchee biodiversity doing so thru our seasonal adventures and programs. When you embark on a FOF adventure and attend our programs you join us in becoming the voice of the Fakahatchee by spreading the word of what you learned from our dedicated volunteers who donate their time out of the generosity of their hearts.

We invite you to the Fakahatchee’s  Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, when you visit  you will understand why the FOF supported the State’s Boardwalk Expansion Project that will provide restrooms and plenty of safe parking. The plan includes an extension to the Boardwalk via Green Heron Lake adding hours of enjoyment in the Fakahatchee, and of course no park should be without a beautiful interpretive pavilion and this one will be reminiscent in architecture of an old cracker cabin.

After your visit to the Boardwalk you’ll want to explore Janes Scenic Drive. Jump on one of our adventures to find out what Janes Scenic is all about. We highly recommend the swamp walks to discover there is nothing swampy about them. Peace, tranquility, and visual beauty will surround you. You will walk away with a sense of well being you never expected.

We trust we’ve inspired you to become a member of this wonderful organization, and when time permits to volunteer. Our mission is not just a poetic statement on a piece of paper. Our mission is energy kept in motion by members and volunteers like you.

Sincerely,

Glen Stacell
President, Friends of Fakahatchee Inc.

FOF Board Code of Ethics

2023 CSO Goals

  • Increase membership by 5%
  • Seek opportunities for Community Outreach Programs.
  • Develop more FOF  tour Guides for public engagement.
  • Recruit volunteers for the  new visitors centers when they open, according to the park Manager’s need.
  • Acquire equipment for the Park as needed and financially feasible.
  • Support the Park’s Unit Management Plan for the removal of exotics from Jones Grade and lake area.
  • Acquire an environmentally friendly electric tram for the FOF tour program.

What's a CSO?

Section 258.015, Florida Statutes states that the purpose of a Citizen Support Organization (CSO) is to “operate for the direct or indirect benefit of the state park system or individual units of the state park system.” In other words, the purpose of a CSO is to support the missions of the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) and the Division of Recreation and Parks (Division).

By statute, CSOs are authorized to raise funds, seek and receive grants, and accept gifts, bequests of money and tangible or real property on behalf of their host parks. In addition to monetary support, CSOs assist the parks through increasing community awareness and involvement in the parks and their programs.

For detailed information about how a CSO operates, see the CSO Handbook.