Go Outside. Enjoy Nature.

In his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv defines Nature-deficit Disorder as "the human cost of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and a higher rate of physical and emotional illnesses." Louv suggests that interaction with nature is essential to healthy human development.

June is National Get Outdoors Month but you don't have to wait until June to enjoy Florida's great outdoors. Go hiking, ride a bike, paddle a canoe, fish, watch birds or read a book under a shade tree. Go to the beach, take a swim at a spring, or cool off lakeside. Just go outside and enjoy Florida's sunshine and warm breeze.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail stretches 170-miles from White Springs to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the famed spring-cooled river, visitors can enjoy paddling, hiking, biking and horseback riding. Take an opportunity to explore the Suwannee's wilderness, its parks, its towns and its historic sites. Sleep under the stars, at a river camp, in a cabin, at a local motel or bed and breakfast.

Four river camps are located approximately 10 miles from established parks and campgrounds on the river. Each river camp features five screened sleeping platforms with electricity and ceiling fans, restrooms and showers and primitive camping sites for tents. River camps are accessible from the river. Outfitters can work with visitors to deliver gear, coolers and catered food to the river camps.

For more information: (800) 868-9914 or SuwanneeRiver.com.

56^th Annual Florida Folk Festival

Join us for the 56^th Annual Florida Folk Festival, Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25 at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. Since 1953, folk artists have gathered to celebrate Florida's land, people and cultural heritage. The event will feature more than 200 music performances, Florida arts and crafts, a Festival Market Place, delicious foods representing Florida's ethnic cultures, folk art demonstrations, storytelling and living history in the Seminole Family Camp.

Special Events Highlight

BLUEGRASS IN THE PARK - Silver River State Park
Date: May 16, 2008 6:00 PM
Description: Come enjoy an evening of live Bluegrass picking and singing. Sweetwater Bluegrass, Backwater Bluegrass and Amanda & Scott Anderson will be providing live entertainment. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Ranger Station after April 1st. Bring a lawn chair. Children under 16 are free.
Fees: $10.00 per person; park entry fee waived.
Contact: deborah.wilson@dep.state.fl.us
MUSIC AND STARGAZING - Fort Clinch State Park
Date: Friday, May 16th, 2008. 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Description: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Fort Clinch State Park, as part of the Wild Amelia Festival, will host stargazing and music on the evening of May 16, 2008. The Northeast Florida Astronomical Society will have telescopes set up to view the wonders of the night sky while you enjoy music by Tom Shed. This is just one of many exciting adventures in which to participate during the festival. You must register for this and other Wild Amelia events. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.

For additional information and to register visit Wild Amelia Nature Festival.

Fees: Register for this and other Wild Amelia events at the link above.
Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP - IRV FRIEDMAN - Savannas Preserve State Park
Date: May 17, 1:00 PM

Description: Nature Photography class with award-winning photographer Irv Friedman. Come get outside and learn from a master photographer what makes a good picture!
Fees: $10 a person.
Contact: (772) 398-2779