The Friends of the County Parks, established in 1988, is a group of concerned citizens joining together to promote financial and community support to the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department. They develop public awareness of recreation as an important part of day-to-day life.

Funds provided by The Friends of the County Parks are used as a supplement to the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department budget and does not replace allocated tax dollars. These additional funds helps maintain, improve, and enhance services provided by the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. The Friends of the County Parks enjoys a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit exemption status.

Friends of the County Parks meetings are held first Thursday of each month. For more information please call their administrative office at 813-744-5595.

Board Members:
Pete Fowler, President
Jan Smith, Vice President
Katherine Tabor, Treasurer

About Friends of County Parks

The Friends of the County Parks, established in 1988, is a group of concerned citizens joining together to promote financial and community support to the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department. They develop public awareness of recreation as an important part of day-to-day life. 

Funds provided by The Friends of the County Parks are used as a supplement to the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department budget and does not replace allocated tax dollars. These additional funds helps maintain, improve, and enhance services provided by the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. The Friends of the County Parks enjoys a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit exemption status.

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Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Trailblazer Newsletter | May 2024
The Big Bee Confabulation
Hillsborough County's nature preserves are host to a wide variety of
pollinating invertebrates From butterflies to slugs, plants depend on a
diverse array of animals to provide pollination services, some more
familiar than others. However, some of the least recognizable visitors to
your flowers might just be bees. Join us in learning more about the
surprising diversity within the bee clade.
Read More
Conservation Corner
Our Wonderful Wetlands
Hillsborough County's waterways are
not only idyllic spots for recreation
but also vital lifelines providing the
water we depend on every day.
These essential wetlands are under
constant threat. To celebrate
Wetlands Month, let's dive in and
learn more!
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Past Issues
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Guided Programs
Native Plant Walk
Saturday, May 4 9AM
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
Free / $2 Park Entry
No Registration Required

Spruce up the Swamp
Saturday, June 15 7AM
Lower Green Swamp Nature
Preserve
Volunteer Event
Registration Required
Springs Fling Evening Swim
Saturday, May 25 6PM
Lithia Springs Conservation Park
$7 per person
Registration Required

A Midsummer Night's Swim
Saturday, June 22 6PM
Lithia Springs Conservation Park
$7 per person
Registration Required
Featured Photos: Wonderful Wetlands
Lettuce Lake
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
October 2021
Mary S.
Lake Starvation
Lake Conservation Park
April 2022
Tony B.
Want your photo from our Nature Preserves and Conservation Parks to be featured in a
future edition of the Trailblazer?
Volunteer Opportunities
Let's Spruce Up The Swamp!
Join us for our annual restoration
planting event at Lower Green
Swamp Nature Preserve. We’ll spend
the morning planting native pine
trees and grasses in the open pine
flatwoods along the orange trail.
June 16, 7 AM
Lower Green Swamp Nature
Preserve
This volunteer event is FREE,
however space for volunteers is
limited, so you must pre-register
here!
Submit a photo
Park Updates
The Canoe and Kayak launch at Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park has been
renovated to allow for more paddlers to use at once, easier ADA access, and new boat
racks and wash area.
Two new shelters have been completed at Veteran's Memorial Park.
Alderman's Ford Conservation Park has had their playground renovations completed,
with new features and better ADA accessibility.
Know Before You Go!
Fire Updates
Check for park, trail, and
other amenity closures
before your next adventure.
Prescribed fires occur
regularly to preserve our
conservation lands. Sign up
for prescribed fire
notifications to stay alert!
Trailblazer Survey
Volunteering

What would you like to see in
future editions of the
Trailblazer?
Individual volunteers, Scout
projects, group workdays,
and all the ways to volunteer.
From the Newsroom
HCFLGov.net/Newsroom
The Quiet, Stealth Work of
the Trail CATS
The wilds are, well, wild. Without
continual maintenance, hiking and
equestrian trails can quickly become
difficult to navigate. Thankfully, the
Trail CATS, a devoted group of
volunteers, work year-round to keep
the County's paths safe and fun

Read more
Nature Preserves
Brochure
Conservation Parks
Brochure
Nature Preserves
Survey
Conservation Parks
Survey
Support your wild spaces and places
through
Friends of the County Parks.
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