Community members can earn two hours of community service hours by participating in Timucuan Park Foundation’s Self-Guided Volunteer Cleanup Program, a part of the nonprofit’s environmental stewardship. The summer edition of the program is currently underway and runs through September. Students and others in the community can become TPF park stewards by helping clean up litter throughout local wilderness parks and preserves.
First, choose a park to clean up from any of the city, state, or national parks in the area. A list can be found at timucuanparks.org/parks, but parks not listed are also eligible. Dress appropriately for the weather and task with breathable clothes that can get dirty, closed-toe shoes, and a hat. Bring trash bags, protective gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera or phone to document the work. Pick up litter for approximately one and a half or more hours and document the work through photographs. Fill the trash bags about half or three-quarters full to allow for easy lifting and tying and put them in an available trash receptacle or carry them out to throw away if one is not available.
Before-and-after selfies, as well as a final photograph with the trash bags, are required and should be emailed to [email protected]. If possible, share on social media along with the park location using #tpfcleanup or @timucuanparks. Please fill out the parks cleanup form to earn community service hours, which can be found at https://www.timucuanparks.org/self-guided/.
The self-guided volunteer cleanup program is part of TPF’s overall environmental stewardship initiative, designed to improve resilience, restore habitat, and combat pollution in local wilderness parks and preserves while engaging community members in the parks.
