Participate
Participating in the BARK Ranger program is a fun way to protect wildlife and public lands while having a “pawsitive” experience with your pet in the outdoors. The BARK Ranger program originated in Olympic National Park in 2015. Since then, the program has expanded inside and outside of the National Park Service and is now a successful program in Florida.
Please Follow The Rules
BARK Rangers and their owners must follow the rules of BARK at all times while enjoying Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves, including the spoil islands, parks and preserves where pets are permitted.
Bag your pet’s waste
Please prepare by bringing your own bags to pick up and dispose of your dog’s waste in a trash receptacle. Pet waste can damage local water sources and ecosystems. It is not a natural part of the ecosystem and introduces foreign pathogens and bacteria.
Pro tip: Attach a small container such as an empty plastic jar to your dog’s leash to store the bagged waste until you find a trash receptacle.
Always leash your pet
It is extremely important to leash your pet when visiting public lands. An unleashed pet can be the source of multiple negative consequences:
- Injury or death of wildlife
- Trampling of ground nests and eggs
- Trampling of native plants
- Confrontation with other visitors and pets
- Frightening other visitors
- Injury to pet (e.g., by snakes and alligators)
Your dog may be friendly but others may not. Many dogs do not like to be approached by unleashed pets, and the result can be dangerous for pets and owners. Always leash your pet and help ensure that all visitors can safely enjoy our public lands.
Respect wildlife
The presence of dogs, even leashed, in natural areas can alter behavior, abundance and diversity of wildlife populations. The purpose of parks and preserves is not only to provide public enjoyment but also to protect wildlife habitat. Please respect this by following leash requirements. Be sure to never let your dog chase wildlife. Birds resting on beaches or sand spits could be protecting their ground nests. Please keep away from areas that are blocked off or have signs indicating bird or turtle nests. Gopher tortoises, a state listed threatened species, are very vulnerable to dogs, making it imperative to keep dogs leashed and away from tortoises and their burrows.
Know where you can go
Make sure you check websites or call the appropriate land managers to inquire about pet regulations before venturing out. Some parks and preserves prohibit pets while others have designated pet areas. During nesting season, some spoil islands are closed due to bird nesting. Be aware of sea turtle nesting seasons and avoid nesting beaches. Be aware of trail distances, weather and any safety precautions, and do not forget to bring enough water for your BARK Ranger!
Help protect Florida’s natural lands, waters, and wildlife!
Take the pledge today to follow the principles of BARK and make your pet a BARK Ranger!
Links
For more information on the Florida State Parks BARK Program visit:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/PetPolicy
For more information on the National Parks BARK Program visit:
https://home.nps.gov/subjects/pets/be-a-bark-ranger.htm