Rock The Park Season 4 Episode 13 Florida Parks: Hurricane Recovery

Rock The Park season 4 episode 13 is titled "Florida Parks: Hurricane Recovery" and showcases the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The hosts, Jack Steward and Colton Smith, visit several parks in Florida to see how they are recovering and rebuilding after the hurricane.

The episode begins with Jack and Colton visiting Everglades National Park, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Irma. They meet with Chief Ranger Jeff Wolin to learn about the damage caused by the hurricane and the efforts being made to restore the park. The hosts help park rangers clear debris from damaged trails and learn about the importance of controlled fires in restoring the park's ecosystem.

Next, Jack and Colton visit Biscayne National Park to explore the beautiful reefs and underwater life that were also impacted by Hurricane Irma. They meet with park rangers and divers who are working to remove debris and restore the coral reefs. The hosts participate in a coral restoration project, learning about the process of collecting and growing coral to be replanted in the reef.

The third park the hosts visit is Big Cypress National Preserve, which was hit hard by Hurricane Irma's winds and flooding. The hosts meet with park rangers and biologists who are working to restore the habitat for the park's many species of animals, including the endangered Florida panther. Jack and Colton trek through the preserve to see the progress being made in clearing debris and repairing the park's infrastructure.

Continuing their journey, the hosts visit Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70 miles from Key West and only accessible by boat or seaplane. The park was also impacted by Hurricane Irma, causing damage to the historic Fort Jefferson and altering the sandbars that provide nesting habitat for sea turtles. Jack and Colton join park rangers in monitoring the sea turtles' nests and help to relocate any in danger of being washed away by the changing sandbars.

Finally, the hosts visit the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which was also heavily impacted by Hurricane Irma and the subsequent flooding. They meet with divers and scientists who are assessing the damage to the coral reefs and working to restore them. Jack and Colton take a dive to see the damage for themselves and learn about the steps being taken to protect and restore the reef.

Throughout the episode, Jack and Colton emphasize the importance of these parks and their vital role in both the environment and the local economy. They showcase the efforts being made to recover and rebuild after Hurricane Irma, a reminder of the resilience of both the parks and the people working to protect them.

Overall, "Florida Parks: Hurricane Recovery" is an inspiring episode of Rock The Park that highlights the important work being done to restore these beautiful and valuable national parks.