John D. Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Receives New Marine Wildlife Protection Vessel, Buoys Through Florida State Parks Foundation Partnership

~ Grant awards will fund resource management at America’s first ‘undersea’ park ~

In celebration of World Oceans Day on June 8, the Florida State Parks Foundation today announced a multitiered community partnership with the Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to provide a new marine wildlife protection vessel and new mooring buoys for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

The Foundation teamed up with the Friends to secure funding from the Ocean Reef Conservation Association, the Batchelor Foundation, the Felburn Foundation, the Fleming Family Foundation and the Monroe County Tourism Development Council.

“World Oceans Day is the perfect occasion to commemorate new partnerships and resources at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation. “Millions of people have seen and experienced Florida’s undersea wonders at this park, and these new tools will help ensure these precious resources are managed and protected for generations to come.”

The park’s new marine vessel, a C-Hawk 25, is custom-outfitted to serve the Florida Park Service’s marine resource protection needs. The vessel will allow rangers to travel the park’s expansive waters as they tend to wildlife and coastal ecosystems. The boat is also available to conduct dive technique and safety exercises.

Additionally, park staff recently installed 11 new mooring buoys that will guide watercraft safely through park waters while avoiding seagrasses, coral reefs and other underwater natural resources.

Boating is a popular activity at the park, with approximately 20,000 privately-owned or rented boats enjoying the park’s oceans each year.

“John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one of a kind, and Florida is fortunate to have incredible park rangers, biologists and specialists caring for it every day,” said Kathleen Brennan, President of the Florida State Parks Foundation’s Board of Directors. “We are proud to join the Friends and community partners in support of Florida’s precious coral reef, wildlife and waterways.”

“It is great to see the new boat and buoys in place and making a positive impact at the park,” said Ann Helmers, President of the Friends of John Pennekamp Coral State Park. “Thank you to all of the community groups who contributed, as well as to the generous individual donors and park visitors who helped us meet this need.”