Florida Fish Busters Bulletin June 2012

June an Outdoor Extravaganza No Excuses Get Outdoors Florida!

By Bob Wattendorf School is out for the summer! All across Florida students are putting aside their studies and looking for summer fun. No wonder so many national programs highlight the fun of getting outdoors. June has the most daylight hours, and the longest day of the year, providing plenty of opportunity for families and friends to enjoy nature and each other. In 1998, President Bill Clinton proclaimed a week in June as Great Outdoors Week; six years later it was extended to Great Outdoors Month. President Barack Obama issued a proclamation urging Americans to spend time in the great outdoors and to uphold
A young boy enjoys getting away from school and outdoors. FWC photo.

our nations legacy of conserving our lands for future generations. The proclamation went on to point out numerous opportunities for families and friends to explore, play and grow together, from hiking and wildlife watching to canoeing, hunting, fishing and playing in the neighborhood park activities that can help kids stay healthy, active and energized.

Florida Gov. Rick Scotts 2012 proclamation says that during Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate the rich blessings of our states natural beauty and we renew our commitment to protecting our environment so that we can leave our
Getting outdoors leads to enjoying nature, socializing with friends and a healthy lifestyle. FWC photo.

children and grandchildren a healthy and flourishing land. It goes on to say, Great

Outdoors Month will encourage cooperative conservation and new technologies to help ensure Americas outdoors remain places where families and friends can learn, exercise, and create meaningful memories. Great Outdoors Month highlights the health and social benefits of active fun outdoors and Floridas tremendous shared resources of forests, parks, refuges, fish and wildlife management areas and other public lands and waters. Media attention triggers discussion of important issues linked to outdoor recreation, including conservation, volunteerism, health and outdoor ethics. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), along with Floridas state parks and Forest Service and national forests, parks and wildlife refuges will all be participating in a variety of activities to support Great Outdoors Month and other specific events occurring in June. Get Outdoors Florida! will be promoting outdoor events across the state for the month of June on its website, GetOutdoorsFlorida.org. Check it out for details.

By the way, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation is asking Facebook fans (Facebook.com/takemefishing) to choose the Top Eight State Parks in the U.S. that have fishing on them. Florida is the only two-time winner of the National
Florida has a wealth of public lanes that are open to the public providing great outdoor recreational opportunities. Photo Courtesy of Lake Stone Campground.

Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, as well as

being the Fishing Capital of the World, so visit your favorite state park fishing spot then vote. You will then be eligible for weekly Bass Pro gift card giveaways as well as the Grand Prize: an all-expense-paid vacation to its choice of one of the Top Eight State Parks. June is also recognized as Recreational Fishing Month by VISIT FLORIDA, which helps promote Florida as the Fishing Capital of the World (FishingCapital.com). Events at its visitors centers will help highlight the tourism value of recreational fishing to Florida. Florida has about a million anglers come from out-of-state each year and they make a substantial contribution to the $7.5 billion economic contribution from recreational fisheries that support nearly 80,000 Florida jobs. The first week in June (June 2-10) is promoted as National Fishing and Boating Week (TakeMeFishing.org). The FWC supports this effort by providing free saltwater fishing on the first Saturday (June 2) and free freshwater fishing on the

second Saturday (June 9). Floridas license-free fishing days are an excellent opportunity to share the fun, excitement and togetherness of a fishing trip with the entire family. This also is a great time for
Free fishing days provide a great opportunity to introduce someone new to the fun of fishing. FWC Photo

experienced anglers to introduce friends to the sport, even if they dont have a fishing

license, said Nick Wiley, FWC executive director. By having these events on weekends, we hope Florida residents and visitors will experience the joy of saltwater and freshwater fishing. We expect many will discover a healthy sport they can enjoy for a lifetime. All other fishing rules apply on these days (MyFWC.com/Fishing). In addition, June 2 is National Trails day (AmericanHiking.org) and the theme is Americas Largest Trailgating Party! This is its 20th anniversary. The American Hiking Society is encouraging hikers and volunteers to help maintain their favorite trails and then afterward celebrate with an eco-friendly party at the trailhead. FWC is celebrating acceptance of its third paddling trail designation as part of the national trails system on June 2 at Wacissa River County Park, come out and join them. June 9 is also National Get Outdoors Day, the primary purpose of which is to increase first-time visitors to public lands and reconnect youth to the great outdoors. As a result, it is a Fee-Free Day for U.S. Department of Interior sites,

such as national wildlife refuges, national parks and national forests (Recreation.gov). Finally the Great American Campout (NWF.org, select Get Outside and Great American Campout) is June 23. Check out their website for great tips, suggestions and to share your adventure. The neat thing about this day is you do it in the
The Great American Campout is promoted by the National Wildlife Federation and is a great first step to getting comfortable in the outdoors. Photo Courtesy of NWF.

safety of your own back yard. Thousands of families sign up for a night of exploration and fun and to share the great outdoors with their children. Many celebrations take place in June, including Fathers Day. June is generally believed to be named after the Roman goddess Juno who was the goddess of marriage and youth. So perhaps it is an especially appropriate time for families to get together while school is out and reconnect not only with each other but with nature. Get Outdoors Florida! and enjoy your summer.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling 888-404-3922, *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or texting to Tip@MyFWC.com. Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and select more news, or scr.bi/Fish-busters for more Fish Busters Bulletins.

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