Volunteer Spotlight, Jim Misner and Jane Meyer
Volunteer Spotlight
Jim Misner and Jane Meyer
Originally from Upstate New York, both Jim and Jane moved to Florida in the 1970s. Jim came down for a job with the carnival. He grew up hunting and has always had a love of the outdoors. Jane moved down for the beautiful Florida weather. She prefers to be outdoors as opposed to staying inside. Spring and fall are their favorite times of year in Florida, because the weather is perfect, not too hot and not too cold.
They have been volunteering at different parks across the country for 11 years and say that they prefer Florida’s state parks. While at Werner-Boyce as resident maintenance volunteers, they perform general maintenance throughout the park, trimming trails, removing invasive plants, or riding through the park talking with visitors. They also participate in park workdays and interpretive programs, and they help with events.
Jim and Jane enjoy interacting with park visitors and their favorite part about their volunteer position at this park is giving visitors information about park history. They were drawn to the area because it is close to their home and they enjoy exploring the area. They said that it has been a joy to learn of the park's history and the surrounding area.
Jane says, “It is an oasis in the middle of an urban area.” Jim says, “It is a little chunk of Florida being saved.”
Jim and Jane hope that more people will volunteer because it enriches the park and makes a visible difference.