The Friends of Gamble Rogers State Park held their annual membership meeting, picnic and volunteer recognition event on Saturday, June 29th. Over 40 members gathered for a catered and potluck picnic meal, short business meeting, update on park accomplishments, election of officers, and celebration of volunteer achievements.
Laura Rauscher was elected to the Board of Officers by the general membership.
Laura Salter was elected to the position of Board Secretary by the general membership.
Park Manager Lynne Flannery was honored to present Greg Wilson, the Friends of Gamble Rogers State Park (FROGRS) board president, with the award for Adult Volunteer of the Year in Administration from the Florida State Parks Foundation. Under Greg’s leadership, the CSO (Citizen Support Group) has transformed into a highly effective group providing excellent support to Gamble Rogers and North Peninsula State Parks. Greg has worked hard to create a greater sense of community among the board, park volunteers and staff. As a long-standing and well respected member of the conservation community, Greg’s connections have aided the success of attracting new board members, finding opportunities for outreach and discovering new funding sources. He is well-organized and dedicated to the cause, consistently hard at work behind the scenes to ensure board meetings and CSO endeavors stay productive and on track. This hospitable atmosphere has attracted new members to the board and keeps everyone engaged and coming back.
Assistant Park Manager Chris Clauson was proud to present Tom and Lynn Maize with the Outstanding Team of 2 award for Exceptional Accomplishment in Resource Management from the Florida State Parks Foundation. This duo works diligently nearly every week, sometimes several days in a row, out in the elements, cutting, pulling and applying herbicide to invasive plants that threaten to take over native plant populations. While working in remote areas of the park, they have rediscovered some historical and cultural sites like an old road that runs along the marsh. Their excellent research and mapping skills lead to this new cultural site being added to the North Peninsula archeological site file. They can recognize how the past usages of the land shaped what is now modern-day North Peninsula and Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area, and together have made a profound, lasting impact on the environmental and cultural landscape at both parks.
Park Services Specialist was honored to present the Citizen Support Organization of the Year for Exceptional Accomplishment in Resource-Based Recreation from the Florida State Parks Foundation to The Friends of Gamble Rogers State Park (FROGRS) Kayak Tour Guide Team. Members include Walt Mahler, Dale Grussing, Brian York, Willis “Bill” Denny, Paul Rebmann, Nancy Shelton, Vince Schrider, Mike M., Judy Rodriguez, and William “Bill” Sharp. The journey began in 2016 with volunteers Walt Mahler and Dale Grussing developing the Gamble Rogers State Park Kayak Tour Handbook to include tour guide responsibilities, tour design, safety briefing and basic paddling techniques, plus interpretation fact sheets of the flora, fauna, estuary, wetlands and marsh restoration. The guided kayak tour program has expanded and now offers two to four guided tours a month with a certified and trained team of nine guides. Currently, Gamble Rogers State Park is the only place in Flagler Beach that offers guided kayak tours, and the program has received great feedback from the public.
Park Manager Lynne Flannery presents Brian York with the Florida Park Service District 3 June Volunteer of the Month award certificate. With almost 1,000 hours served, Brian York is a great asset to the Florida Park Service. Brian is consistently resourceful, creative, and displays a positive attitude on all projects. Brian has dedicated a significant amount of time and sweat into the Shuck and Share oyster recycling program. He streamlined the creation of wire mesh cages, and in January 2024 played a significant role in securing a donation of $23,208 in exchange for oyster gabions to be used in a local stabilization project. In addition, Brian covers critical park shifts when needed, monitors revenue collection on busy summer days in the beach parking lot, and cooks at CSO and volunteer appreciation events. Brian adds value with every visit, making our team stronger and more productive.
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