Students and community members can earn community service hours by collecting litter at a local park or preserve
Jacksonville, Fla., April 10, 2024 – Timucuan Parks Foundation is offering students and others a way to earn community service hours by participating in the nonprofit’s Spring Self-Guided Volunteer Cleanup Program. From now through the end of June, students and community members can pick up litter at Jacksonville’s wilderness parks and preserves to earn two hours of community service.
To participate, visit timucuanparks.org/parks to choose one of the many parks around Jacksonville to clean up. Parks not listed on the site are also eligible for clean-up events. TPF encourages participants to ask friends and/or family to join them. They should dress appropriately in breathable clothes that can get dirty, closed-toe shoes, and a hat. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water and a snack, and also trash bags, protective gloves, and a camera to document the work.
Students and other participants are required to pick up litter for one and a half or more hours and the work must be documented through photographs. Do not pick up anything sharp or pointy or any dead animals and the trash bags should be filled about half or three-quarters of the way to allow for easy lifting and tying. Participants should take before and after selfies, pictures of those working alongside them, and a final snapshot with the trash bags. Place the trash bags in or around a park trash receptacle or take them to throw away in a trash receptacle if none are available at the park.
Email the photographs to volunteer@timucuanparks.org or share the photos and park location on social media using #tpfcleanup or @timucuanparks. Students and community members are required to fill out the parks cleanup form to earn community service hours which can be found at https://www.timucuanparks.org/self-guided/. An email confirmation of the two hours of community service hours will be sent to participants.
About Timucuan Parks Foundation
Timucuan Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization that preserves, promotes and enhances Jacksonville’s natural areas through community engagement, education and enjoyment. The foundation originated in 1999 with the Preservation Project Jacksonville, Inc. to identify and assist in acquiring the most vulnerable and environmentally sensitive lands in Duval County. The acquisition of lands created the largest urban park system in the United States. TPF works with its park partners, including the National Park Service, Florida State Parks and the City of Jacksonville, and other community partners to promote environmental stewardship, the health benefits of the parks and preserves, and an appreciation for Jacksonville’s special outdoor spaces. For more information, visit timucuanparks.org or follow @timucuanparks.