Rally to Save Our Parks!

Saturday, January 23, 2016
2:00 PM 8:00 PM 14:00 20:00

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RALLY TO SAVE OUR PARKS - Saturday Jan 23rd, 3-5pm starting at First Magnitude Brewery, 1220 SE Veitch St, Gainesville, Fl.

Come early at 2pm if you would like to make a sign to carry during our march up Main St.

3pm music by Whitey Markle & the Swamprooters, speakers and presentation
4pm begin march up Main St to University Av. (1 mile)
4:30 sign waving and rallying for our parks
5 pm walk back to First Magnitude.
Stay and enjoy yourself. You can purchase food from the local food trucks at the brewery, and beer from the brewery. First Magnitude 1220 SE Veitch St. Gainesville, FL 32601 (best to park along S. Main St.)

Details:
Enjoy the sounds of Whitey Markle and the Swamprooters. Whitey Markle has been a fixture on the Florida music scene for decades. He has been performing and writing songs for over 30 years and continues to entertain audiences to this day

Special guests Jim Stevenson*, Leslie Poole* and Pat Harden" will follow the music with an explanation of the issues concerning the future of Paynes Prairie and all of our state parks.

After the speakers, we will gather the masses and walk up Main St to the corner of Main and University Av (1 mile) where we will raise our signs and voices in support of our peaceful parks. Bring a sign or come early (2pm-3pm) and make one with us before the event.

March with us and let your voice be heard!

**Jim Stevenson was chief naturalist of Florida’s state parks when Paynes Prairie was acquired by the state. He explored the prairie on horseback in 1970 to identify management needs including removal of cattle. Jim led the effort to reestablish bison on the prairie in 1975, restore the hydrology and implement prescribed burning.

**Leslie Kemp Poole is an award-winning writer and historian. A fourth-generation Floridian, Poole has long been interested in the role of women in the state’s environmental movement and how they were saving the state’s important natural resources even before they were able to vote.2014.

**Pat Harden is a second generation Floridian who has a long history of involvement in environmental advocacy in Florida. She has served on various conservation boards and is a former chair of the SJRWMD. Currently, she serves as coordinator for the Protect Payne's Prairie Coalition.