FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 1, 2015
GOVERNOR, CABINET HONOR
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGERS OF THE YEAR
~Award recognizes commitment to Florida’s environment~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet today honored Samantha McGee, park biologist of St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, as one of three top Florida resource managers of the year for her commitment to the park’s habitat restoration and stewardship of state lands. Recipients are selected by a committee of environmental professionals representing the Sierra Club, Florida Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy.
“I’m proud to recognize Samantha McGee as one of Florida’s top resource managers,” said Donald Forgione, director of the Florida Park Service. “She is dedicated to restoring and protecting the 22,000 acres of St. Sebastian River Preserve.”
Ms. Samantha “Sammy” McGee has served as a park biologist at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park since 2004. Ms. McGee demonstrates her commitment to preserving the park’s resources every day through habitat restoration, prescribed fire, and removal of invasive and exotic plants and animals. She has worked with five organizations to write and manage nearly $1 million in grants to restore scrub habitat, remove exotic plants, improve habitat for gopher tortoises and restore more than 10,000 acres of pine flatwoods. Ms. McGee is also active in the Southern Range Translocation Cooperative to advance monitoring and survival of red-cockaded woodpeckers, along with Florida scrub-jay, brown-headed nuthatch and carnivorous pitcher plants at the park.
This prestigious environmental honor is bestowed annually to a natural resource manager from DEP, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s Florida Forest Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The other award recipients were Cathy Lowenstein, forest resource administrator for the Florida Forest Service and Jean McCollum, land manager for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails
The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of three National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first three-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005 and 2013 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.
Florida’s 174 state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 1,500 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. Download the Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app, available on iTunes and Android Market, to plan your trip and enhance your experience while visiting. For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org
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