Don Juan, the Florida panther, recently joined the ranks of Lu the Hippopotamus as the newest member of the state park family. See Don Juan, Lu, three red wolf cubs, West Indian manatees and a variety of other wildlife at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

Don Juan is the first captive Florida panther to call a Florida state park home. The 11-year-old male weighs approximately 130 pounds and has fathered approximately 30 offspring in the wild at Big Cypress Swamp near Naples. Busch Gardens was home to the panther for two years prior to his arrival at the state park.

Don Juan will alternate in the habitat currently used by the park's nine year-old female Western cougar, Maygar. The habitat is a fenced-in, open area with trees and shade, large rocks and various plants for Don Juan and Maygar’s comfort. Visitors can approach the habitat from a glass viewing area.

Three red wolf pups are also new at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The pups are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s captive breeding program which began in 1970 when the animals became endangered. By 1980, red wolves disappeared from the wild; however, with the reintroduction program in place, there are now believed to be 100 to 130 red wolves in the wild.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park works in partnership with agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who are responsible for the protection of native wildlife. This partnership enables park staff to educate visitors about a variety of endangered species, including two whooping cranes and six West Indian manatees that reside at the park.

Many people start each year with a goal. Your goals might include more exercise, to meet new friends or develop “green” habits. Florida’s state parks can help.

More Exercise – Whether your passion is hiking, bicycling or canoeing, Florida’s mild January weather will beckon you outside.

• Most of Florida’s state parks feature hiking trails. For long hikes, try the seven-mile looped trail at Torreya State Park in Bristol or visit Oscar Scherer State Park on January 10 for an All Trails Hike event.
• For a strenuous bicycle ride, try Oleta River State Park in Miami, Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, Alafia River State Park southeast of Tampa or Maclay Gardens’ Overstreet Trail in Tallahassee.
• Try a guided kayak tour at Washington Oaks Gardens or Faver-Dykes state parks. You can paddle on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail for a few hours or all day. Outfitters are ready to help with gear or you can rent a canoe at Suwannee River State Park. Canoeing is popular at Hillsborough River State Park north of Tampa, Myakka State Park east of Sarasota or Collier-Seminole State Park in Naples.

Meet New Friends – Florida’s state parks are supported by more than 80 Friends groups, or Citizen Support Organizations (CSOs). These groups volunteer, host events and raise funds for park projects. Volunteers can help parks in a variety of ways: greet visitors, conduct tours, remove exotic plants or maintain natural areas, such as trails, beaches and waterways. For a list of parks with CSOs, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/cso/AllCSOs.cfm.

Develop “green” habits – Reduce, reuse, recycle. We all strive to do better.

• Reduce your energy use. Use less electricity by turning off lights when you leave the room. Walk or ride your bicycle instead of driving a car, whenever possible.
• Choose reusable bags rather than plastic or paper. According to reusablebags.com, an estimated 500 billion to one trillion non-biodegradable plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year and are among the 12 items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups.
• Recycle electronics. Be sure to recycle or properly dispose of unwanted used electronics. Electronics are one of the fastest growing portions of America's trash. Donating or selling old electronics to schools or charity organizations is a way to both help those in need and prevent harmful electronic waste from ending up in landfills. Paper, aluminum and glass are commonly recycled.

Every month, there are a variety of activities that center around the full moon.

• Moon Over Myakka, Myakka River State Park, Friday, January 9, 7 p.m. Artist Ben Prestage will play Mississippi blues. $8 per person; $6 for Friends members. This park is located east of Sarasota.
• MacArthur Under Moonlight, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Saturday, January 10, 7 – 9 p.m. This concert series features a different band each month. Bring the whole family. Admission $5.00. This park is in North Palm Beach.
• Night Sounds at Sebastian Inlet Concert Series, Sebastian Inlet State Park, Saturday, January 10, 7 – 9 p.m. This performance of recording artists Lee Hunter and Arvid Smith, known as Tammerlin, will present clever, thoughtful original songs and traditional tunes. Join us at the pavilion on Coconut Point, overlooking the water.
• Barnacle Under Moonlight – Tammerlin, The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove, Sunday, January 11, 6 p.m. Enjoy an evening of music in the park. $7 ages 10 and up; $3 ages 6-9; under 6 are free.

For a different experience at parks, try stargazing – without the moon. Weather and clouds may interfere with the activity.

• Star Party, Sebastian Inlet State Park, Saturday, January 3, 7 p.m. Hosted by the Indian River Astronomical Society, you’ll see the stars through powerful telescopes (provided or bring your own).
• Stargazing at the Prairie, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Saturday, January 17, 6:30 p.m. Watch the night sky to learn about the stars and planets. The Alachua Astronomy Club will supply telescopes. This park is located south of Gainesville.