Staff Spotlight, Val Hahn
Val Hahn began a career with the Florida Park Service in 2016. Val graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science with a minor in writing from Northern Michigan University. While at NMU, Val served as the university’s Rock and Mineral Club president. While finishing his degree, Val completed an interagency internship with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service as a visitor information specialist, creating and delivering interpretive programs and educational information to over 2,000 visitors a day. Upon the completion of the internship, Val was offered a park ranger position and served one term before moving to Florida.
“One of the best mentors that I have had was my internship supervisor, Cameron. His guidance and passion for educating about our public lands was instrumental in my decision to use my education and experience to serve and conserve our lands through interpretation.”
In 2016, Val started with the Talbot Island State Parks (Amelia Island, Little Talbot, Big Talbot, Pumpkin Hill, Fort George, Yellow Bluff Fort, George Crady Fishing Pier Bridge) as an OPS park ranger. After a month at Talbot Islands, Val was promoted to a full-time park ranger within the park. Notably, Val loved working with and interpreting the sea turtles, shorebirds and geological formations on the beach.
To gain more prescribed fire knowledge and experience, Val moved south to Hillsborough River State Park (Ybor City Museum and Fort Foster) in 2019. Within a few months, Val was certified as a wildland firefighter and proudly contributed to the preservation efforts at those parks. Val really enjoyed leading historic tours at Ybor City Museum State Park and interpreting at Fort Foster Historic Site.
In 2021, Val was promoted to park services specialist at Colt Creek State Park, where he serves as interpretive chairperson and volunteer coordinator. Val enjoys the amazing land at Colt Creek State Park that is perfect for many different recreational opportunities.
This position brings together many things Val is passionate about: serving a community, being a mentor, and teaching about what he considers a priority: hydrological restoration and the conservation of our fresh water.