Timucuan Parks Foundation has been chosen to receive the 2018 Environmental Achievement Award from the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board. The nonprofit organization was selected as the recipient of the award in the Community/Civic category. The award is given each year to an organization that has demonstrated leadership, creativity and commitment in support of the environment.

“It is an honor to be recognized for all the hard work we do at Timucuan Parks Foundation to protect and promote our wonderful parks and preserves,” said Mark Middlebrook, executive director of Timucuan Parks Foundation. “Jacksonville has the largest urban park system in the nation and there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure visitors have the very best experience. Our local parks and preserves provide such great recreational and health benefits to visitors. There is nothing like visiting a park to improve both your physical and mental health.”

Timucuan Parks Foundation works side by side with city, state and national park partners to support the parks and preserves through advocacy, outreach and education, volunteer projects and fundraising. The nonprofit facilitates the partnership between the three levels of management and it is the only park system in the nation with this type of collaboration.

Jacksonville’s Environmental Protection Board will be handing out the award to Timucuan Parks Foundation at a luncheon on Sept. 14 at the 2018 JEPB and University of North Florida Environmental Symposium. The symposium and luncheon will be held at the Adam Herbert University Center on the UNF campus. For more information on the symposium, click here.