Friends of Myakka River
Special Event of the Year for Resource-Based Recreation for Bike Myakka! for Biodiversity
Bike Myakka! for Biodiversity was a unique combination of guided bike ride and service project to remove invasive plants. The event celebrated Adventure Cycling’s “Bike Your Park Day” and National Public Lands Day.
The intent was for visitors to learn about the importance of biodiversity and invasive plant management by way of a bike ride before completing a work project, followed by a discussion about biodiversity.
Participants biked 6 miles on a guided ride from the main entrance of the park to the lake. Along the way, the groups stopped for guided discussions about park plants and animals. They then biked 6 miles back to the park entrance where they helped remove invasive plants. Refreshments and a discussion of how to preserve biodiversity wrapped up the event.
Bike Myakka! for Biodiversity was funded by the Friends of Myakka River, organized and planned by park staff and volunteers, and executed by 10 people - six park staff, two volunteers, one friends board member and one Florida Conservation Corps member.
The Friends of Myakka River contributed $979 for bike “first aid kits” that helped outfit several “shop bikes” donated by volunteers and maintained by park rangers. The shop bikes are communal bikes that any staff or volunteer may use for recreation. The current fleet enabled one park ranger and one volunteer to participate.
Congratulations to Friends of Myakka River on this award. Their dedication to supporting the park, offering resource-based events and contributing to resource management is appreciated.
2021 Florida State Parks Volunteer Recognition Winner
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