Welcome to About Get Outdoors Florida!. Here you'll learn more about the Get Outdoors Florida! coalition, our history, vision and governance plans.  Follow the links above to find tips on various active nature-based recreational activities for novices to experts, places to go, events to attend, and ways to partner with us to create a healthy Florida community that is connected with nature, reflects social diversity and exhibits a conservation ethic that ensures a sustainable future and recreational opportunities. The documents and links sections help connect you to research and other useful information about the value of active nature-based recreation and how to improve your own lifestyle and that of your family and community.

MISSION:  Engage communities, families and individuals in outdoor experiences to achieve healthier, happier and smarter lifestyles and sustain Florida’s natural resources.

VISION:  A healthy Florida community that is connected with nature, reflects social diversity and exhibits a conservation ethic that ensures a sustainable future and recreational opportunities.

BRIEF HISTORY:  We began coming together in response to the National Forum on Children & Nature, which includes a diverse group of private and public leaders, led by the President of the Conservation Fund and having Richard Louv as an honorary co-chair.  In Florida this effort was initiated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida State Parks and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  However, it rapidly evolved to include a diverse array of state agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporations and concerned citizens who are energetically devoted to ensuring a healthier, happier and smarter future for our youth and sustaining Florida's fish, wildlife and natural areas.

The Governance Plan is available for partners to review and comment on.  We are an evolving coalition and welcome new partners and sponsors.  The board of officers includes:

Chairman:   Bob Wattendorf, FWC
Vice Chair:  Robin Will, USFWS
Treasurer:   Will Bradford, WFF
Secretary:    Anne Glick, FWC
Board:          Rosemary Prince, FSU
                     Preston Robertson, FWF
                     Vacant, USFS
                     Bonnie Stine, DACS
                     Jennifer Golden, Tallahassee Museum

For comments or suggestions, please contact:  Bob Wattendorf.

If you would like to join our ListServ to receive communications about our activities and plans you may sign up by sending an e-mail to:  LISTSERV@LISTSERV.MyFWC.com with no subject line and "Subscribe GoOF-L" in the first line of the message body (no quotes). Then reply to the confirmation message, with the subject line left intact and "OK" (no quotes) in the message body.