Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park & Dagny Johnson State Park

10/23/2026

Meet our October DBN presenter, Matthew Metcalf! Matt grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. His passion for the natural world and
scientific inquiry led him to obtain a degree in zoology from Auburn University and a
master’s in environmental science from Florida Gulf Coast University. He has worked on a variety of environmental topics ranging from seagrass ecology to endangered bat conservation, however, his passion has always centered around reptiles. His expertise is focused on the conservation of native Florida snakes, such as the Eastern Indigo Snake and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, but he has also spent significant time conducting research on amphibian and reptile communities in the Peruvian Amazon. His studies have now landed him in Key Largo, where he works as a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey conducting research on Burmese Pythons throughout South Florida.

10/22/2026

Celebrate your four legged friends with us, today is Make a Dog’s Day day! Grab your pup and come enjoy this beautiful weather at John Pennekamp and Dagny Johnson State Parks! 🐾

How cute is Daggoo?!

10/21/2026

We made Keys Weekly’s top three for Best Park/Nature Preserve! Vote for us, scroll down to Best Park/Nature Preserve and select John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

It's Time to Vote! The Top Three finalists have been selected, and now it's your turn to choose the best of the best. Vote once a day through Sunday,

10/20/2026

*Flash Warning*
Take a tour of our Spooky Aquarium with Volunteer Nicole!

10/19/2026

10/16/2026

Native Nursery Volunteer Martha Meroni began volunteering with the Florida Park Service as a Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park nursery volunteer in September of 2022. She volunteers weekly with the planting, weeding, watering of native plants and participates in special events. Martha is kind and thoughtful and a dedicated volunteer. She reached the 500-hour milestone in March of 2026 and was presented with a panther pin and certificate at the Nursery Luncheon.

10/15/2026

Come spend the day on the reef with two of our volunteers!

10/14/2026

Happy National Fossil Day!

10/13/2026

We gave Rangers and Volunteers a 5 minute timeframe to draw Porky. Which is your favorite?!