Park Rangers Dangerous Duties

Date: January 23, 2009
Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714
Contact: Christiana Admiral, 305-242-7754

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Park Ranger managing a controlled habitat burn

National Park Service

Everglades National Park Presents "Park Rangers Dangerous Duties"

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA -- Less than one hour’s drive from Miami and just outside Homestead lies the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi. On a daytrip to this watery wilderness, you can spot alligators in freshwater sloughs, bike through a tropical pineland forest – home to the elusive Florida Panther, or paddle a canoe through remote mangrove waterways and maybe even spot the endangered American Crocodile. But have you ever wondered what it might be like to work in Everglades National Park every day? For park rangers protecting the park, removing Burmese pythons, catching poachers, or igniting fires might just be all in a day’s work.

What: Meet a park ranger and check out some of the tools of the trade at three show-and-tell presentations. Bring your curiosity and discover just how exciting a park ranger’s job can be.

Presentations fall on the last Saturday of January, February and March. Presentations are free, wheelchair accessible and fun for the whole family. Juice and Cookies provided by the Everglades Association.

Where: Meet at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center off of State Route 9336, nine miles SW of Homestead. While there, check out the interactive exhibits including a life-like alligator hole.

When:

Saturday, January 31^st, 7:30 – 8:15 PM

Wildland Firefighter, Rick Anderson

Saturday, February 28^th, 7:30 – 8:15 PM

Wildlife Biologist, Skip Snow

Saturday, March 28^th, 7:30 – 8:15 PM

Law Enforcement Rangers, Mirta Maltes and Willy Lopez

For more information, contact Everglades National Park at [phone]

Directions:

Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with U.S. 1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park. Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park.

Note - Photos available on request.

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