Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-209 (The Great Outdoors Initiative) directing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to offer Floridians the chance to enjoy the state’s natural resources for a discounted admission price.
From Oct. 14 through Jan. 13, the DEP will offer Florida State Parks annual passes for families and individuals at a fifty percent discount and FWC will be discounting its annual resident Gold Sportsman license, five-year Gold Sportsman license and Lifetime Sportsman license by fifty percent.
FWC will also exempt individuals from needing fishing licenses within Florida state parks during this nearly three-month period.
With 175 award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites spanning nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy beaches, Florida is the only four-time winner of the Gold Medal honoring the nation’s best park system.
“Florida is home to some of the best state parks, waterways and recreational lands in the country, and I encourage all Floridians to get outdoors, experience our extraordinary natural resources and enjoy our fundamental right to hunt and fish,” said DeSantis. “And we are now making it more affordable for families to get outside and enjoy these wonders by offering state park passes and fishing and hunting licenses at sharply discounted rates.”
Florida State Parks Annual Passes will be available at the following rates:
* Family Annual Pass- $60, plus tax.
* Individual Annual Pass- $30, plus tax.
The following FWC Gold Sportsman licenses, which include the saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, hunting privileges and all associated permits, will also be discounted by fifty percent and will be available at the following rates, plus applicable fees:
* Annual Gold Sportsman- $50.75.
* Five-year Gold Sportsman- $247.75.
* Lifetime Sportsman License
* Age 4 or younger- $201.50.
* Ages 5 – 12- $351.50.
* Ages 13 and older- $501.50.
To learn more about the Great Outdoors Initiative, find a park near you or purchase your annual park pass visit floridastateparks.org. To learn more about fishing and hunting licenses in Florida, visit myfwc.com/license/recreational/ or to purchase a license visit License.GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.