In 2022, we are celebrating 25 successful years of a partnership with the Florida Conservation Corps. Part of that celebration includes highlighting members who continued their careers by joining the Florida State Parks team.
Tyler’s experiences as a Project R.O.A.R. member made joining the interpretive services team a logical next step in his career.
Tyler has a natural gift for storytelling. As the Project R.O.A.R. member for state parks in Northeast Florida, Tyler developed and presented interpretive programs at parks throughout the district. He also recruited volunteers at community outreach events and helped lead volunteer events for removing non-native plants. Another part of his job included field work with A.N.T. and T.R.E.C. team members in removing non-native plants or helping improve trails.
While working for the FLCC, Tyler worked to develop a program at Ichetucknee Springs State Park where people waiting in line for a tram could spin a wheel and play various natural resource-based games or answer related questions, depending on their interest and age level. All of it was designed to increase visitor knowledge of our springs, their protection and the rules at Ichetucknee.
“Helping park visitors learn about Ichetucknee Springs and the importance of protecting it really ignited a passion for me,” said Tyler. “During the summer of 2019, we helped hundreds of people learn about the springs and I’m really proud of our accomplishment.”
In 2019, Tyler was awarded the 2019 Volunteer Florida AmeriCorps Member of the Year award for his outstanding achievements in the program.
Now, as an interpretive specialist for the Florida State Parks Interpretive Services team, Tyler spends his days managing interpretive projects for many parks across the state. His responsibilities include writing, editing and reviewing park panels, visitor center displays, video scripts and interpretive kiosks.
He also helps facilitate statewide trainings on interpretation, writes content for FloridaStateParks.org and writes articles for The Real Florida Connection newsletter.
