Volunteer Spotlight, Bill and Lynn Masters
Bill and Lynn Masters
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park
Bill and Lynn are a volunteer duo at Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park. Both have always loved the outdoors. In their words, “We just love being out there and love the wildlife!” As a child growing up in Opa-locka, Bill often went boating with his father and even bought an air boat when he was older so that he could explore the Everglades. Lynn grew up in Hialeah and was a girl scout, learning about the outdoors through all of her troop activities.
Living close to the park, they took up the challenge of volunteering in October 2013 and have been faithfully involved with protecting and preserving the park for nearly six years. Lake June, which is under the management of Highlands Hammock State Park, is located 30 minutes away from Highlands Hammock.
Prior to the Masters’ commitment, park rangers had to make the round trip to Lake June twice daily. The savings in time, fuel cost, and wear and tear on park vehicles has been invaluable. In addition to maintaining the grounds, the Masters also keep a watchful eye out for vandalism and illegal activities. This includes ATV entry which can severely impact the habitat.
While volunteering, Bill and Lynn have seen a variety of wildlife. Included in the extensive list is the Florida panther, black bear and bobcats. The bald eagles and owls “are phenomenal” and they often observe Florida scrub-jays. They love the peace and quiet of Lake June, the opportunities for reflection and getting lost in oneself. They also enjoy speaking with visitors and helping to grow their appreciation for the park.
Fall and winter are their favorite seasons because they are likely to sight more wildlife due to the cooler weather when animals are on the move.
This couple likes to stay busy! You can always find them around the park repairing gates, cleaning trails or really doing anything to help keep the park beautiful for visitors. In addition to volunteering, the two operate a sub-tropical fruit grove in Venus, Florida. As for the future, they “would like to see a few more trails at Lake June and plan to keep doing what we’re doing.”