Volunteer Spotlight, Patrick Rossi
Patrick Rossi
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
Patrick grew up in Los Angeles where he developed a passion for the outdoors. The experience of being a Boy Scout exposed him to the rivers, mountains, oceans and forests of California where he first learned camping skills.
Patrick was employed as a museum technician at the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles County. During his 19-year career at the Peterson Automotive Museum he managed the collection department, allocated artifacts and designed and built the museum installations.
In June of 2018 he and his wife, Jaime, moved to Florida and fell in love with the Santa Fe River, its springs and watershed. He is an avid kayaker and can’t wait to explore more of the surrounding waters.
Becoming a volunteer at Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park allows him the opportunity to give back to this newly adopted community. Patrick enjoys the ever changing natural beauty of Florida, especially learning about the habitats and aquatic communities of the springs. His favorite part of the park is the main spring “Big Blue” and its quarter mile spring run because of the clarity and quality of the water, and the variety of fish, birds, turtles, snakes and other wildlife.
Patrick is truly an asset, apparent in his willingness to pitch in and assist wherever needed. His goal is to become a full time Florida Park Service employee with a focus on maintenance and resource protection. We are grateful to have such a talented and skilled volunteer.