SOUTHPORT, Fla.–The Florida Forest Service (FFS) is set to host its annual Outdoor Freedom Run. There will be three different trail runs to participate in on Saturday, November 05 at Point Washington State Forest. A 3.5, 6, or 11 mile run all on the Eastern Lake Trail system. The run/walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the 11-mile race.
This event funds our efforts in local outdoor activities including hunts, fishing charters, and specialty family trips for Florida’s Wounded Veterans who have a service-connected disability from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs or a Purple Heart recipient.
Supported by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nicole “Nikki” Fried and led by the Florida Forest Service, Operation Outdoor Freedom provides recreational and rehabilitative opportunities to wounded veterans on state forests, agricultural lands, and private lands throughout Florida at no cost. Since its inception in 2009, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted more than 500 events and served approximately 4,100 wounded veterans.
Registration of the event is available online at https://outdoorfreedomrun.redpodium.com/outdoor-freedom-run. If you would like to make a donation please visit Operation Outdoor Freedom Donation – Friends of Florida State Forests and select Chipola Forestry Center under the OOF donation category. All proceeds from this event will go toward Operation Outdoor Freedom in support of our nation’s greatest heroes.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland, and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. For more information visit FDACS.gov/FLForestService.