The Florida State Parks Foundation has partnered with the Florida Park Service Ranger Association to provide immediate financial assistance to Florida Park Service staff and volunteers who have suffered extensive hardship because of the storm. The Foundation provided a $50,000 grant that will be administered through the James A. Cook Humanitarian Relief Fund.

Affected Florida Park Service employees and volunteers can apply for up to $1,000 in relief funds and in severe cases, employees may apply for multiple grants. The Ranger Association is committed to reviewing and evaluating all requests within 24 hours of submission. Financial assistance provided through these funds is not meant to replace other forms of disaster relief. Rather, it is to provide immediate assistance before other forms of aid (such as from the American Red Cross or the Federal Emergency Management Agency) become available.

“Our top-notch Florida Park Service employees and volunteers are devoted to protecting our precious natural resources while helping visitors enjoy treasured state park experiences,” said Tammy Gustafson, Florida State Parks Foundation President. “With so many of our committed state park staff personally impacted by Hurricane Ian, we are honored to serve and assist those who serve our state parks.”

Members of the public who wish to support these relief efforts may contribute at the Florida State Parks Foundation’s website with a note that designates the gift for Hurricane Ian recovery. 

“Our guiding mission is to provide support to Florida Park Service staff, and we have been honored to offer financial support through our humanitarian relief fund since 1994,” said Donald Forgione, Florida Park Service Ranger Association President. “Hurricane Ian has wreaked extensive havoc and we are ready to offer quick assistance to these staff – our neighbors and friends – that helps them get back on their feet.”

The Florida State Parks Foundation, founded in 1993 as Friends of Florida State Parks and renamed in 2018, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support and help sustain the Florida Park Service, its 175 award-winning parks, and trails, local Friends groups and more than 20,000 park volunteers.

Established in 1989, the Florida Park Service Ranger Association supports Florida State Park Rangers and their families by providing emergency grants, education scholarships, and esprit de corps.