Volunteer Spotlight, Dale Wheelis
Dale Wheelis, also known as “get it done, Dale,” began volunteering in Florida state parks in 2020.
He was invited to Yellow River Marsh Preserve for Hurricane Sally debris cleanup and once again to assist in cleanup at Blackwater River State Park. Dale’s participation in those events sparked a new passion in him for land stewardship and immersion into state parks and forests.
Dale enjoyed nature as an adolescent in the summers, fishing with his brother and uncle. His father introduced him to squirrel and rabbit hunting in his small town of De Soto, Missouri. As an adult, his experiences outdoors happened on the weekends in his vegetable garden. He moved to the Pensacola area after retiring from the Navy as an instructor in the Cryptology School at Corry Station.
Today, Dale can’t get enough of being in the outdoors and is often found in Blackwater River State Forest cleaning recreation sites, at Blackwater River State Park cleaning the primitive area and boat ramp, or at the Yellow River Marsh Preserve at Dickerson City Road. He is drawn to the beauty of the natural communities and the quiet isolation in nature.
Dale works primarily as a day volunteer cleaning litter from roadsides and recreation areas.
“I’m too good to litter, but I’m not too good to pick it up,” he says.
Dale leaves no trash behind. If he needs a tool to reach or grab with, he comes prepared with it the next day he comes out. The beauty of nature gives Dale the desire to keep it clean. Living near six different state parks and one state forest, Dale is provided with many opportunities to care for the local environment. Getting to know the park staff, managers and coordinators helped open the doors for Dale to learn more about the parks and forests and the needs of their natural communities.
Since his service began, he has started a group of volunteers to pick up litter in public lands. He has started new hobbies in hiking, kayaking and kayak fishing. Dale enjoys photography and blog writing, and he still enjoys his vegetable garden, especially with his grandson.
Dale's personal mission is to visit all 175 state parks and 37 state forests. So far, he has visited 26 parks and four forests. Dale’s service has been a personal journey that continues.