Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the Great Outdoors Initiative, a program aimed at encouraging Floridians to explore the state’s natural resources. As part of this initiative, Governor DeSantis has signed an executive order directing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide a significant 50% discount on annual state park passes and FWC Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses. These discounts will be available for three months, from October 14, 2023, through January 13, 2024.
Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of experiencing Florida’s abundant natural resources, stating, “Florida is home to some of the best state parks, waterways, and recreational lands in the country, and I encourage all Floridians to get outdoors, experience our extraordinary natural resources, and enjoy our fundamental right to hunt and fish.”
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton praised Governor DeSantis’ commitment to resource stewardship, stating, “Governor DeSantis’ promotion of conservative resource stewardship is unparalleled. It is because of this leadership that we can get outside and still experience the real Florida firsthand.”
The Chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Rodney Barreto, also expressed support for the initiative, saying, “Florida remains one of the country’s top destinations for world-class fishing and unique hunting opportunities. I encourage families to take advantage of this incredible offer with a discounted license and enjoy the abundant hunting and fishing recreational opportunities our state offers.”
Governor DeSantis has long been a supporter of Floridians’ right to hunt, fish, and enjoy the great outdoors, as has been a tradition for generations of Florida families. Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature passed a resolution to guarantee the right to hunt and fish in Florida, which will be included on the 2024 General Election Ballot for Floridians.
With 175 award-winning state parks, trails, and historic sites spanning nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy beaches, Florida is proud to have been recognized as the four-time winner of the Gold Medal honoring the nation’s best park system. Florida State Parks provided an economic benefit of over $3.6 billion to the state last fiscal year and supported more than 50,000 jobs.
To make it more affordable for families to enjoy these natural wonders, Florida State Parks annual passes will be available at a 50% discount. The rates for the discounted passes are as follows: $60 plus tax for a Family Annual Pass and $30 plus tax for an Individual Annual Pass.
For those interested in fishing and hunting, the FWC will be discounting its annual resident Gold Sportsman license, five-year Gold Sportsman license, and Lifetime Sportsman license by 50%. The rates for the discounted licenses are as follows, plus applicable fees: $50.75 for an Annual Gold Sportsman license, $247.75 for a Five-year Gold Sportsman license, and $201.50 for a Lifetime Sportsman license for children aged 4 or younger.
Governor DeSantis encourages all Floridians to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the state’s natural beauty and engage in outdoor activities. To learn more about the Great Outdoors Initiative or to purchase an annual park pass or gold sportsman license, visit the official website.
In addition to the Great Outdoors Initiative, Governor DeSantis has also declared October to be Florida Greenways and Trails Month. The Office of Greenways and Trails, under the DEP, coordinates a statewide system of greenways and trails, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and equestrian activities on multi-use and off-road surfaces.
To find greenways and trails near you, visit FloridaDEP.gov/OGT. And to find a park near you or for more information on fishing and hunting licenses in Florida, visit FloridaStateParks.org and myfwc.com/license/recreational, respectively.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.flgov.com/2023/10/13/governor-ron-desantis-announces-50-discounts-for-florida-state-park-passes-and-fwc-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/
