Paynes Prairie is a natural feature that is biologically, geologically, and historically unique. The Prairie's relationship to people past, present, and future is an important one. This is why we are FRIENDS.

Citizen Support Organizations

The Friends of Paynes Prairie, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corportation, is a Citizen Support Organization also called a CSO. Currenly there are more than 80 CSOs supporting Florida's state parks. The role of these non-profit groups it to help ensure that our natural, cultural and historical resources are protected for future generations. Support is provided by volunteering, educating visitors, hosting events and raising funds for specific park projects. Official CSO website.

Accomplishments

• Host ongoing special event:
  The Knap-In and Primitive Arts Festival - Special Event of the Year 2003
  
• Bookstore operation in the Visitor Center
• Ongoing educational programs in the community, including "The Incredible Surviors - the American Alligator"
• Provide funding for a new, campfire amphitheater and volunteer support for construction
• Harold Nugent, Board Member, recognized by the Florida Park System as Volunteer of the Year 2003
  Note: Last year, Dexter Hughes, past-FRIENDS president received this award.
• Organized volunteer group clean-up projects of Sweetwater Branch
• The bison herb is growing. Why? FRIENDS donated a male bull bison!
• Funded alligator taxidermy for educational programs and display
• Funding new intepretive signage at the Preserve

Our Goals

• Continue to host the Knap-In and Primitive Arts Festival
• Seek grants for short range radio system on I-75 and Hwy 441 that informs passing traffic of Paynes Prairie
• Support fundraising for Visitor Center and interpretive signage improvements
• Seek new opportunities for community outreach and education
• Increase our membership
• Continue resource management volunteer projects
• SUPPORT PAYNES PRAIRIE

History of FRIENDS

The Friends of Paynes Prairie was organized in 1985, in part as a result of a conversation between Carl Lipsius and Park Manager Jack Gillen. These men, in the company of Frank Saier, Ed Johnson, William Mauzy, Mark Barrow, and David Flagg recognized a need to help the Preserve to procure support and equipment not available through normal State channels.

The organization was incorporated under Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation statutes early in 1986, and in 2004 became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation.

An early goal of the Preserve was to try to return the ecosystems of the Prairie to a state as close to what William Bartram found when he visited the Prairie in the Eighteenth Century. American bison and feral cattle were inhabitants of the Prairie then, so the Founders set about locating, raising funds to purchase, and procuring bison and Cracker horses, which now run wild with a strain of cattle very close to what the Spanish brought to the New World.

The Friends of Paynes Prairie has flourished as an organization, with nearly 100 members in 2004. Funding for Park needs has grown as well, and many features now seen in the Park were sponsored in part by the Friends.

Friends has been active in many projects over the years, including the annual Primitive Arts Festival, known as the Knap-In, where flint knappers from all over the Country gather to help preserve these historic skills.

Questions? We can help - contact us.