Friends of Canaveral was formed in 1989 as a not-for-profit organization to “do all things necessary to advance the protection, conservation, preservation and enhancement of the lands and waters comprising Canaveral National Seashore.”

Funds we raise from our community have helped support the National Park Service in its mission to preserve, protect and interpret the 57,000 acres of natural shoreline, dunes and wilderness in Canaveral National Seashore – our national park. Some two million guests visit our park each year from throughout the nation and the world.

Friends of Canaveral membership is available at several different support levels. Each membership helps Friends of Canaveral continue our work and outreach to bring more people to our national park, to volunteer and to help support programs that educate visitors of all ages about the unique beauty of this national park on Florida’s east coast.

 

Here are some of the ways Friends of Canaveral has worked with Canaveral
National Seashore:

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25th Anniversary celebration of the restoration of Eldora House

When Canaveral National Seashore became a unit of the National Park Service in 1975, with it came the remains of the town of Eldora. While most of the other buildings were in total disrepair, the Moulton-Wells house was the best-preserved building of the era. In 1989, Friends of Canaveral helped save the house that had been abandoned and neglected for some 30 years. After 10 years of planning, fundraising and grant writing, Friends of Canaveral planned and carried out the rehabilitation of this historic property, resulting in the restored structure present today. Eldora House has been open to the public since May 1999, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Park Service’s mission is to maintain, protect and interpret this cultural resource for future enjoyment by the public. Because of the efforts to restore Eldora House, this piece of Florida history will be protected and preserved for future generations. 

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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral National Seashore celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 and Friends of Canaveral helped host the community in the park during the January celebration.
Members of the Friends group were on hand at the large gathering of local elected officials, business owners and citizens who came to help celebrate the national park’s golden anniversary.

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Women in History Month Observance at Doris Leeper House

Canaveral National Seashore uses grant funding to bring special events to the park once a year honoring the contributions of women, including Doris Leeper, who was instrumental in getting coastal land and water established as Canaveral National Seashore. Leeper, who was an artist and environmentalist in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., lived in her home on the land that is now the national park. The Leeper House is opened to the public for these special events, usually involving the arts and environmental initiatives. These events are hosted by the Friends’ group.

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Support of the Arts in New Smyrna Beach

Friends of Canaveral hosted the week-long New Smyrna Beach Plein Air Paint Out for many years and in 2025, renewed a celebration of the arts with a one-day event called Colors of Canaveral. The event is staged at the Seminole Rest historic site within the national park’s boundaries on the Indian River Lagoon and feature a local Plein Air artists, who donate a portion from the sale of their art creations to Friends of Canaveral.

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Sponsorship of ShORE Symposium at Brannon Center

The annual ShORE Symposium – standing for Sharing Our Research with Everyone – is held at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach. The event brings together professional scientists, science educators and high school and college undergraduates to discuss the latest research being undertaken within the Indian River Lagoon, which borders Canaveral National Seashore. Friends of Canaveral helps sponsor this community event each year.

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Co-Host and Sponsorship of Artist-in-Residence in National Park

The Atlantic Center for the Arts Soundscape Field Station, a partnership between ACA and Canaveral National Seashore, hosts a “sound” artist-in-residence each year in the park. Selected artists record the natural sounds of the park and offer creative interpretation to the public at special events, hosted by Friends of Canaveral. These recordings also may be used as a baseline of measurement of sound by the park in three categories: biophony – sounds of wildlife or anything living (call of birds, etc.); geophony – sounds of the earth (crashing waves); and anthropophony – sounds made by humans (engines).

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Host and Volunteer at Summer Junior Angler Surf Fishing Clinics

Each summer, local junior anglers ages 8-15, enjoy a free program in the park to learn the art and skill of surf and lagoon fishing. The young anglers also learn about knot tying, appropriate fishing tackle, healthy fish habitats, while gaining valuable hands-on experience from a team of local environmental students who work with young anglers. All fishing gear is provided in the program with fishing clinics held during the months of June and July. Friends of Canaveral purchases all fishing bait and any needed items for the program.

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Support of Local Boys & Girls Club of America Chapter

Friends of Canaveral has worked with the local Boys & Girls Club of America for a number of years to help transport disadvantaged youngsters to the park and to offer lunch for them while participating in educational and experiential programs by park staff. For many of these youngsters, it has been their only experience in a national park.

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Assist Canaveral National Seashore with Volunteer Staffing

Friends of Canaveral members volunteer at Eldora House and at the park’s Visitor Center Welcome Desk to greet guests and help them learn about Canaveral National Seashore during their visit. Our volunteer members enjoy sharing information about the history and natural ecosystem and directing guests where to go in the park or when special events will be held.

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Collaboration with Florida’s Shorebird Alliance Data Collection

Friends of Canaveral members are often involved with monitoring nesting shorebirds on the 24 miles of beaches in Canaveral National Seashore and helping to collect and record data for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This data is used for comparative purposes to better understand the health and viability of shorebird species.

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Collaboration with Florida’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program 

Members of Friends of Canaveral help monitor nesting sea turtles in Canaveral National Seashore between the months of April through early November. At least four different species of sea turtles nest on the 24 miles of beaches in the national park’s boundaries.
Recording nest data, monitoring nests for predators and documenting incubation time requires volunteer assistance alongside park rangers. Sea turtle nesting data has been collected in Canaveral National Seashore since 1984, so volunteers help continue important conservation efforts in the park.

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Hosting Coastal Cleanups at Canaveral National Seashore

Friends of Canaveral hosts and participates alongside Canaveral National Seashore staff in regular beach cleanups, as well as in the annual International Coastal Cleanup held every September. Community members and visitors typically show up to help clear the shoreline of debris. Friends of Canaveral actively seeks community participation through its monthly newsletter, website and social media platforms.

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Supporting Community Events and Initiatives

Friends of Canaveral volunteers participate in a variety of local events supporting such initiatives and events as the Canal Street Merchants Association, the New Smyrna Beach Garden Tour, Atlantic Center for the Arts’ “Speaking With the Land” events, the annual ShORE Symposium, Coastal Christmas street fair, the New Smyrna Beach Farmer’s Market and various other events to meet and greet with the public. The goal is always to support community groups while encouraging the public to get involved with and to visit Canaveral National Seashore.

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Sponsoring Annual Volunteers in Parks Luncheon

Friends of Canaveral sponsors an annual luncheon to honor the many volunteers who work with staff throughout Canaveral National Seashore. Volunteers from both the Apollo and Playalinda districts come together for this annual event that allows them meet and socialize in the Apollo maintenance facility. Friends of Canaveral shows its appreciation to these dedicated individuals who contribute many hours to assist with park programs and facility staffing.

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