Robert Yero

Robert Yero is an assistant bureau chief who oversees dozens of state parks in Central Florida.

The mission of the Florida Park Service is: "to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources." What role do you play in this mission?

I get to oversee 33 state parks, hundreds of professional employees, thousands of dedicated volunteers, over 250,000 acres of conservation land and millions of annual visitors. I am proud to have a role in ensuring that future generations will have amazing natural areas to recreate and improve their mental and physical health.

How does your heritage influence your experience in the outdoors?

My Cuban father was an avid sailor and taught me the importance of protecting natural resources because he had witnessed depredation of natural habitats in his lifetime. He was able to share his experiences and love of the ocean with me and it shaped how I view individual responsibility to protect natural resources.

I started as a park ranger in the Keys because I wanted to help protect coral reefs but then discovered an entire new passion for uplands when I went to Ranger Academy and saw pristine sandhills with wiregrass blooming!

Any advice for Latinx who are interested in a career in conservation or recreation?

It is an incredibly rewarding career. You feel proud to know that you are doing something positive for the environment and quality of life while hopefully teaching others to appreciate it and take care of it. I love answering that I am a park ranger when asked what I do. No matter who I am speaking with, they are interested to know more about my job.

I have been lucky to not only work but live in five amazing state parks which made my life feel rich and fulfilled in a way money can't buy.