Friends of Paynes Prairie, Inc

We support the mission of the park by:

• Conducting programs and activities at the Park and in the community
• We raise funds and receive grants, gifts, and bequests for the benefit of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and the Florida Park System as defined by Park management and the Unit Management Plan.
  
• We fund park infrastructure, boardwalks, interpretive walks, sponsor special events, provide visitor tours and presentation, enhance universal access to natural and cultural resources, purchase vehicles, equipment, and supplies
  

In FY 2012-13, 84 Citizens Support Organizations (CSO's) statewide provided over 27,000 volunteers who contributed 1.3 million hours of service to Florida State Parks. Those volunteers are the equivalent of 644 Full Time Employees and are 61% of the park service's workers. Those volunteers assist with visitors services,maintenance, protection, resource management, and administration.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park's role in the local economy

• We welcomed 278,453 visitors in FY 2012-13 with 74% from outside Alachua County.
• The direct economic benefit of Paynes Prairie is over $10 million annually. 
• Our local volunteers put in 20,395 hours last fiscal year which, in terms of dollars, translates to $451,561.
• 164.5 jobs are provided to the Alachua County economy by Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.