Staff Spotlight, Chris Camargo
Chris was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and received a degree in anthropology from the University of Central Florida.
Growing up, Chris wasn’t what people would call outdoorsy. In fact, since joining the Florida Park Service, people in his family have remarked about their surprise at his chosen profession, considering he was afraid of bugs growing up. But people change, and while he was at UCF, Chris took a job at the university arboretum. This is where he found his passion for Florida’s native flora and fauna. Wanting to share that passion with others is what brought Chris to the Florida Park Service.
Since 2010, Chris has worked at Long Key State Park, Jonathan Dickinson State Park and the Cedar Key state parks (Waccasassa Bay Preserve, Cedar Key Museum and Cedar Key Scrub). Chris currently works at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. The opportunity to work in so many different state parks is one of things Chris enjoys the most about his job. Chris believes that every park is unique and that each one has special reasons for their protection.
Chris’ official title is park services specialist and his specialty is prescribed fire. Chris has been participating in prescribed fire since 2009 and is currently the burn boss, who plans and leads prescribed fires at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve. On March 30, 2021, under Chris’ direction, Kissimmee Prairie broke the record for largest prescribed fire in the history of the Florida Park Service at 11,532 acres. Chris is also a member of the Florida Park Service District 3 fire team. Known as the backlog abatement team, they are responsible for traveling to state parks all over their district and helping conduct prescribed fires.
While Kissimmee Prairie is well known for its amazing nighttime sky, Chris always encourages guests to pay attention during the day. Kissimmee Prairie is great for watching clouds and shifting weather patterns. There’s nothing cooler than watching a thunderstorm move along in the distance during the day, except a thunderstorm moving along in the distance at night! Either way, Chris says, “At Kissimmee Prairie, you need to keep your eye on the sky!”