Staff Spotlight, Rob Rossmanith
Biologist, Rob Rossmanith
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Rob has been an integral part of restoring the unique mosaic of natural communities that make up the park. Through non-native plant removal and prescribed fire, he has restored thousands of acres and has been able to increase suitable habitat for rare and endangered species.
Originally from South-eastern Virginia, Rob came to Florida for a better opportunity and a career working outdoors, where he spent most of his time as a child. His passion for the outdoors and the park is evident when you visit Jonathan Dickinson State Park. During his time at the park, Rob has implemented a prescribed fire program that has re-shaped the landscape. The fruits of his labor can be seen throughout the nearly 3,000 acres of Sand Pine Scrub, the largest continuous tract left in South-east Florida. This disappearing plant community is home to the Florida Scrub-jay and the endangered Florida Dancing Lady Orchid. Through prescribed fire Rob has been able to expand suitable habitat for the Florida Scrub-jay and in turn their population has increased significantly within the park.
The pine flatwoods have also benefited from fire and through collaboration with offsite research groups Rob was able to reintroduce several Brown Headed Nuthatch pairs, a species that hasn’t been in the park since the 1950s. Rob’s next big goal is the reintroduction of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker which hasn’t been in the park in over 35 years.
When Rob’s not in the field you can find him mentoring our resident AmeriCorps members, working with them on the continuous efforts removing non-native plant species to restore balance to the plant communities within the park. It’s no small feat, but he says “something positive can be accomplished every day.”