b'PAGE14 FPAN RETROSPECTIVE 2005-2020 PAGE15NORTH CENTRALREGIONThe North Central Region is host to both diverse ecological and cultural areas. The environment extends from the southern tip of the Appalachian foothills, to sand dunes and beaches along the Gulf Coast. The rich environmental diversity gives way to a variety of prehistoric and historic sites, ranging from historic Spanish forts to one of the largest prehistoric mounds in Florida. The region spans The Big Bend area, which includes the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the Apalachicola National Forest, as well as numerous state forests and parks. In total, the North Central Region includes approximately 25 state parks, one national wildlife refuge, three designated trails, one national estuarine research reserve, two state forests, and numerous locally managed parks and nature trails. Many of the state and federal lands within the region are preserved not only for their natural resources, but also for the unique cultural resources they contain. The North Central Regional Center, created in 2010, was first located at the historic Martin House office of the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research (BAR) in Tallahassee. This enabled FPAN and BAR staff to partner directly on events such as boat recording workshops and Boy Scout Merit Badge Clinics. Since the summer of 2018, the Center has been located at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, creating opportunities to partner with the park on events, programs, and public interpretation projects. The Tallahassee location has become vital for FPAN in our effort to advocate for archaeology on a statewide level. Top left: Volunteers of all ages showed up to assist with the excavation of a historic structure in Orman House Historic State Park. Top right: Public Archaeologist TristanFor five years now, Archaeology Day at the Capitol has allowed Harrenstein cleans a historic marker at Tallahassees Old City Cemetery during a CRPT workshop. Bottom: Participants complete the North Central Regions first HMSFPAN and other heritage organizations to advocate for cultural workshop at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Opposite: A student works on her Smash Pot, an activity that continues to be one of the Regions favorite activities to teach principles of archaeology to children. resources during the state legislative session.'