Protect Our Public Lands
Protect Our Public Lands Passport Challenge
Saturday, September 26 is National Public Lands Day. Throughout the month of September, St. Johns Riverkeeper is challenging you to get outside and explore our public lands! Public conservation lands are vital to maintaining healthy waterways. They provide wildlife habitat, hiking trails, hunting/fishing grounds, and pristine wetlands that filter water, prevent flooding, and recharge our groundwater.
Spending more time in parks and public lands makes people more likely to care about them and fight to protect them – so invite a friend to join you!
Explore the St. Johns!
From September 1 – September 30, 2026, we’re challenging you to visit as many public lands throughout the St. Johns River watershed as you can! We’ve included more than 50 locations on the Protect Our Public Lands Passport, from Indian River County to Duval, so you can find great new places to explore along the 310-mile long St. Johns.
Check in at each location by geolocating or submitting a photo that shows where you are! The more check-ins you accumulate on your digital passport, the more prizes and points you earn – and the more you learn about the mighty St. Johns.
Protect Our Public Lands Passport Challenge
Sign up for the Protect Our Public Lands Passport, visit and check in to as many parks and public lands as you can between September 1 and September 30, and earn prizes along the way!
Join St. Johns Riverkeeper and our partners as we raise awareness about the importance of public lands. You can’t have clean water without them!
Awards & Prizes
Novice Explorer Award – Visit 5 Different Locations
You’ve started to get your feet wet and found your way to five different public lands. Keep going – there are 310 miles of river to navigate!
Prize: Sticker
Ranger in Training Award – Visit 10 Different Locations
Your dedication to the journey is clear. You’re a true river explorer! Don’t let the adventure stop here – there’s so much more to see.
Prize: Sticker + Patch
Honorary Naturalist Award – Visit 20 Different Locations
Pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, coastal wetlands, freshwater spring runs… you’ve seen it all! We’re sure your journey through Florida’s natural landscapes is just beginning.
Prize: Sticker + Patch + T-Shirt
Passport Locations
Brevard
Orange
Seminole
Lake
Marion
|
Volusia
Putnam
St. Johns
Clay
|
Duval
|
Challenges & Partners
We’re partnering with the Florida Springs Council, Timucuan Parks Foundation and Northside Pride to offer extra challenges and prizes for visiting specific locations.
Florida Springs Council
The Florida Springs Council is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization dedicated to protecting Florida’s springs through policy, law, and grassroots action.
Prizes: As you visit the springs locations on the passport, you can earn prizes from Florida Springs Council.
- 3 Springs: Sticker pack and springs guide
- 6 Springs: Bandana
- 9 Springs: T-shirt
Bonus! If you donate to or become a member of the Florida Springs Council, you earn an extra point towards these prizes.
- Alexander Springs Recreation Area
- Blue Spring State Park
- De Leon Springs State Park
- Gemini Springs Park
- Green Springs Park
- Juniper Springs Recreation Area
- Kelly Park/Rock Springs
- Salt Springs Recreation Area
- Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
- Silver Springs State Park
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
Timucuan Parks Foundation
Timucuan Parks Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing Jacksonville’s natural areas through community engagement, education and enjoyment. They are committed to connecting our community to the wilderness parks and preserves of the Greater Jacksonville Area by providing enriching experiences and protecting these natural and historic spaces for generations to come.
Prizes: As you visit Timucuan Parks Foundation lands listed on the passport, you can earn special prizes.
- 3 Parks: Sticker
- 7 Parks: T-shirt
- 12 Parks: Hat
Bonus! If you join or renew a Timucuan Parks Foundation membership, you earn one extra point towards these prizes.
- Betz-Tiger Point Preserve
- Big Talbot Island
- Camp Milton Historic Preserve
- Cedar Point Preserve
- Exchange Club Island
- Fort Caroline National Memorial
- Huguenot Memorial Park
- Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
- Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve
- Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
- Kingsley Plantation
- Little Talbot Island State Park
- Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
- Reddie Point Preserve
- The Ribault Club and Fort George Island
- Theodore Roosevelt Area
- Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
Northside Pride
Northside Pride is a hub for history, culture, and places to visit in Jacksonville’s Northside. They amplify, promote, and preserve Jacksonville’s Black History and Black neighborhoods.
Prizes: As you visit Northside Jax locations, you can earn special prizes from Northside Pride.
- 5 parks: The first 3 people to visit 5 Northside parks will receive a T-shirt
- 5 parks: Everyone else will receive a Sticker
Bonus! If you make a donation to Northside Pride, you can earn an extra point towards these prizes.
- Bethseda Park
- Charles “Boobie” Clark Park
- Emmett Reid Park
- Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park
- Panama Park
- Ribault River Preserve Park
- Riverview Park
Get out and Explore the St. Johns!