Accomplishments 2007

Friends had another busy and fruitful year

Revenue Projects

Friends carries out a number of activities to generate revenue. These include but are not limited to:

• Book shop operations
• Donations
• Membership dues
• Endowment fund development
• Special events, including the new Film, Forum, Explore series
• Grant development and administration
• Provision of firewood at the Campground

Visitor Services Programs & Events

• Held a successful Star Gazing evening event in February
• Presented two Film, Forum, Explore programs on conservation topics and managed a grant funding this program
• Provided financial support to the Sawgrass Fiddle Festival - Florida Youth Fiddlers Contest
• Participated in Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Feeder Cleaning Event and Fundraiser

Public Education Programs

• Supported Alligator Education programs by volunteers and staff for schools and other groups
• Provided funds for ranger-led interpretive programs
• Continued Friends-staffed interpretive programs
• Initiated contacts with the Legislative Delegation
• Participated in presentations to the Alachua County Board of Commissioners and the Gainesville City Commission
• Participated in Community Outreach presentations by JulieAnne Tabone, Park Services Specialist
• Attended seven Chamber of Commerce functions
• Staffed information booths at local festivals and community events
• Staffed an information booth at the weekly Farmers' Market in downtown Gainesville
• Participated in the Florida Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Festival

Park Development Programs

• Acquired sidewalk lighting system for evening events at the Visitor Center
• Installed street lighting system in Visitor Center parking lot
• Supported development of the Interpretive Center at the North Rim
• Provided alligator caution signage for the La Chua Trail
• Obtained funding for the concept and design phases refurbishing of the Visitor Center
• Supported the landscaping of the Ranger Station with native species
• Helped staff with paving repairs on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail
• Provided wiregrass plugs and longleaf pines for ecosystem restoration and participated in planting
• Completed the Highway Advisory Radio System recording with Visit Florida Grant - listen to the MP3 (large file: 6.6Mb)
• Participated in the development of the Master Plan for the Old Florida Heritage Highway
• Participated in resource management efforts by taking part in the clean-up of Sweetwater Branch and Prairie Creek in partnership with Holy Trinity Church
• Continued providing funding support for the Paynes Prairie horse herd

Citizen Support Organization (CSO) Program Service

• Sent representatives to the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at O'Leno State Park
• Maintained liaison with Alachua Conservation Trust regarding target land Acquisitions
• Held a successful Annual Dinner at the amphitheatre by Lake Wauberg
• Developed a new T-shirt design
• Grew the Endowment Fund to over $10,000 by EOY07
• Increased membership to approximately 500 at EOY07
• Expanded the partnership with Bubba Scales and Lars Anderson for Friends guided-program fundraisers & membership drive
• Held a Planning Meeting in November to develop Goals for 2008
• Continued regular quarterly publication of the Newsletter
• Completed an internal audit of the Corporate financial accounts
• Completed regular filings with State
• Participated in presentations at District CSO meetings
• Added financial reports to the webpage for greater transparency

More About Friends:
Citizen Support Organization
Accomplishments
Goals
History
The Board of Directors
Advisory Committee
Our By-laws
Annual Financials
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