Gainesville’s nature parks are operated by the Nature Operations Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. We are assisted in our work of caring for the parks by the following groups:
Friends of Nature Parks
The Friends of Nature Parks are the original not-for-profit support organization which provides volunteers, supplemental funding, and advocacy for matters of concern to the nature parks. The Friends sponsors or cosponsors fund-raising events including the Fall and Spring Native Plant sales and the Farm and Forest Festival.
The Friends Board meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Loblolly Environmental Facility, 3315 NW 5 Ave., Gainesville. All members are welcome. There is also an annual general membership meeting which features a potluck dinner and a guest speaker as well as updates on FoNP activities.
To Join the Friends of Nature Parks download and fill out the registration form with your dues check payable to Friends of Nature Parks Nature Park and mail to Morningside Nature Center, 3540 East University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32641-6067.
Membership benefits include a subscription to The Longleaf Pine (a quarterly newsletter published by FoNP), discounts at events, free admission to Farm Days, and knowing you are helping support environmental education and Gainesville's nature parks.
The Nature Centers Commission
The Nature Centers Commission is a volunteer citizen’s advisory board whose members are appointed by the City Commission to assist it in administering the nature parks.
Associated Organizations: