Staff Spotlight, Celena Zimmerman
Assistant Park Manager, Celena Zimmerman
Hillsborough River State Park
Celena grew up swimming, surfing and boating in Flagler Beach, Florida. With a lifelong passion for Florida’s diverse plants and animals, she found that working in Florida State Parks was a perfect opportunity to share her love with others. Now, as assistant park manager, Celena works to provide staff with the tools and support they need to provide amazing recreational opportunities for our visitors while preserving and protecting our cultural and natural resources.
Celena worked in several other parks on the east coast for 10 years but was drawn to Hillsborough River State Park because of its rich history and dynamic natural ecosystems. Here, she loves that you never know what you will see: swallow-tailed kites flying overhead, marsh rabbits enjoying grass in the morning or a red rat snake safely crossing the road. Celena’s favorite activity is hiking the Rapids Trail after it rains and seeing the lush, green resurrection ferns in the oak trees.
She knows that from a sunrise on the east coast to a sunset on the west coast with remarkable rivers, lakes and springs in between, we are so lucky in Florida to have the best outdoor recreational opportunities in the country. Celena works tirelessly to protect these resources for everyone’s enjoyment.