FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2009

CONTACT: Jessica Kemper Sims, (850) 245-3029, (850) 251-0834 (cell)

                       Susan Strawbridge, (352) 628-5343

STATE PARK RENAMED TODAY DURING SPECIAL NAMING EVENT

-New state park honors long time environmental benefactor-

HOMOSASSA - The Florida Department of Environmental Protections (DEP) Florida Park Service hosted a special naming event today at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in memory of the late Ellie Schiller, former Director of the Felburn Foundation and great friend of Florid's state parks, greenways and trails. 

''This valuable state park will hereon after be known as Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, said DEP Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. We are honored to uphold Ms. Schiller's memory in the state park system and there is no better place to do so than at Homosassa Springs, which she dearly loved.

As Director of the Felburn Foundation, Schiller contributed to several major projects at the park including a black bear exhibit, both phases of the Wildlife Walk, a roseate spoonbill aviary, a red wolf habitat and other improvements to wildlife habitats at the park. Felburn Foundation donations also helped fund the 8,000 square foot Felburn Wildlife Care Center that houses a veterinary clinic, wildlife quarantine section, park offices and accommodations for up to four biologists, interns and other scientists. Schiller and the Felburn Foundation Board also contributed to the construction of two barrier-free Boundless Playgrounds, on the Cross-Florida Greenway near Ocala and the St. Marks Trailhead in Wakulla, that are managed by DEP's Office of Greenways and Trails.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features an impressive showcase of native Florida animals along the park's Wildlife Walk, including West Indian manatees, a Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, river otters and a variety of birds and reptiles. Lu, Florida's only resident hippopotamus, resides at the park. Visitors can also enjoy nature trails, picnicking and boat tours. Admission to the park for children ages three to 12 is $5.00 and $13.00 for adults.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation's best state park service, Florida's state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, most of which are open 365 days a year. Florida's state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include more than 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages. Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine was recognized by the National Park Service in April 2009 with its inclusion in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.