2024 Annual Report
In 2024, we had 367 people enroll in NATA courses, representing over 100 different organizations. We were fortunate to have over 35 amazing instructors and experts from 23 organizations, who volunteered their time to share their expertise in our 10 courses and field days. We could not offer these courses without them, so thank you! Finally, we had 29 people graduate with a Certificate in Natural Areas Management, our largest number in a single year ever!
We are proud to present the following report, which includes a summary our 2024 achievements and participants, course highlights, congratulations to our certificate graduates, notes from the staff, overview of each course, and thank you to our expert instructors throughout the state.
2024 In Review
367
100+
10
29
Participant Affiliation
Course Highlights
| Course Name | Dates | # of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Site Assessment and Planning* | February & November | 50 |
| Managing for Diversity* | March | 22 |
| Managing for Visitors and Volunteers* | May | 23 |
| Collaborating to Manage Ecosystems* | September | 47 |
| Basic Wildland Firefighter (S-130/S-190/L-180) | May & August | 171 |
| February & August | 81 | |
| NATA Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S-212) | March | 21 |
*Denotes a core workshop
Congratulations to our 2024 Certificate Graduates!
This year, we had 29 individuals who earned their Certificate in Natural Areas Management (CNAM), by completing all 4 core courses plus one fire training. This achievement can take a year or longer to complete, so we want to recognize them for their hard work and dedication. Congratulations!
- City of Satellite Beach
- Susan Skinner - Naturalist
- Clay County
- Liza McCain - Park Naturalist
- Samantha Olsen - Planner 1
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Shawn Kelly - Fish and Wildlife Biologist
- David Schutt - Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist Scientist 3
- Jessica Spickler - Biologist
- Kenneth Pryor - Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist Scientist 2
- Florida Park Service
- Adam Dunham - Assistant Park Manager
- Gabrielle Bradley - Park Services Specialist
- Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Candace Killian - Resource Management Coordinator
- Hillsborough County
- Mary Barnwell - Environmental Lands Management Coordinator
- Kenneth Bradshaw - Field Operations Manager
- Patrick Heggy - Environmental Lands Management Coordinator
- Alison Hughes - Senior Program Coordinator
- Ashley Martin - Program Coordinator
- Ross Dickerson - Environmental Lands Management Division Manager
- Manatee County
- Jared DeBlecourt - Ranger 1
- Sevastian Rodriguez - Ranger 2
- Orange County
- Kelly Baumier - Parks Staff
- Hannah Calabria - Senior Environmental Specialist
- Pasco County
- Matthew Huntsinger - Project Coordinator 3
- Sarasota County
- Megan Eidel - Natural Areas and Trails Manager 2
- Sarah Schulz - Environmental Specialist 3
- St. Petersburg College
- Kevin McGregor - Student
- Suwanee River Water Management District
- William Irby - Land Management Specialist 2
- University of Florida
- Katherine Clements - Ecology and Natural Resources Educator
- Kyle Quina - Chemist 1
- Volusia County
- Rachel Conkin - Land Management Technician
- WSP
- Christine Leonard - Environmental Scientist
Note from NATA Director, Shelly Johnson:
This year revealed a steadily increasing demand for training in natural areas management and NATA was proud to be able to provide it. In September, we started offering TWO sections of each of the core certificate courses.
NATA also had a unique opportunity to collaborate with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) to pilot their new Wildland Fire Chainsaws course. Read more about it below.
In August, we said farewell to Jessica, after 2 years as the training coordinator; her friendly energy was greatly appreciated by the participants. We welcomed Hannah in November, who is doing a terrific job so far.
2025 is off to a great start and we look forward to another successful year!
Meet NATA's New Training Coordinator: Hannah Wheatcraft
This year, we parted ways with our previous Training Coordinator, Jessica, as she moved on to pursue other opportunities! We thank her for all the support that she provided for NATA.
As a Florida native, Hannah has a natural appreciation for the diverse landscapes across the state. She has a background in sustainable agriculture, and agricultural education. She looks forward to getting to meet the professionals that make the natural areas in Florida so special, as well as continue to learn as much as she can!
Conservation Site Assessment and Planning
This training is especially important for individuals who are looking to build a foundation of skills in conducting site assessments and developing resource management plans. Participants gain experience classifying the condition of forest vegetation communities. They also practice developing management objectives and design management strategies that effectively address these objectives.
Favorite Element of Training
Participant Land Management Responsibilities
Motivation for Enrolling
Thank you to Austin Cary Forest Campus, Michael Andreu, and the volunteers that help make this course possible.
"[I] thoroughly enjoyed this class, gave me a new perspective on management plus monitoring that I can put to use."
"[I am] excited to go back to work and think about doing site assessment and management."
Managing for Diversity Across Florida's Unique Landscapes
This diverse workshop helped participants build an understanding of management and restoration approaches relevant to conserving biodiversity in Florida. Participants gathered for an informative workshop to engage in a variety of topics, ranging from invasive plants and animals, wetland evaluation, and upland plant species restoration.
Favorite Element of Training
Participant Behavior Change After Course
Participants Who Recommend This Course
Thank you to Morningside Nature Center, Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve, Andi Christman (Alachua County Land Conservation & Management Program), Natalie Claunch and JC Griffen (USDA - APHIS), Jodi Slater and Amy Copeland (St. John’s River Water Management District), and Nicole Barbieri (City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs) for a great workshop!
"I feel like NATA workshops hit all aspects of my job."
"You can always learn new things in this class and even learn things from your own classmates."
Managing for Visitors and Volunteers in Natural Areas
Through immersive exercises, this training provides guidance on how to integrate visitors and volunteers into natural areas management. Participants learn to effectively and appropriately plan recreation opportunities for visitor use, including trails and facilities. They also develop an understanding of the benefits and challenges of managing a volunteer program.
Favorite Element of Training
Motivation for Enrolling in This Course
Participant Years of Experience in Natural Resources
We want to extend a thank you to Mike Roess Gold Head State Park, Taylor Stein (UF), and Warren Poplin (Retired - Florida Park Service) for volunteering their knowledge and time to our participants!
"I now have better resources to plan solid infrastructure and policies related to visitors and volunteers."
"This was a training that met and exceeded my needs. I hope to have more staff attend."
Collaborating to Manage Ecosystems
This course develops an understanding of the concept of ecosystem management and its relevance to resource management, allows participants to become familiar with approaches that can be used to address threats facing entire ecosystems, discover strategies that bring multiple organizations and private individuals together to achieve common goals and seek common solutions, learn about a variety of working groups used to cope with complex environmental issues in Florida and develops skills in listening, communicating, moderating group dynamics, and facilitating to cope with conflict.
Favorite Element of Training
Participant Behavior Change After Course
Participant Knowledge Gain After Course
We thank Ashley Konon (Wekiva Wild & Scenic River System), Mike Cliburn (Friends of the Wekiva River), and Rafael Montalvo (Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium).
“This was one of the best workshops I've attended! Practical skills and information to actually use in the workplace.”
Basic Wildland Firefighter: S-130/S-190/L-180
The intent of this course is to train new firefighters in basic firefighting skills, providing participants the skills often required for participation in prescribed burning activities, like proper fire extinguishing tactics, and knowing the primary factors that result in the spread of fire.
Participant Burn Experience Before Course
Favorite Element of this Course
Will This Course Help Advance Your Career?
We want to offer a sincere thank you to Ordway-Swisher Biological Station (UF), Tall Timbers Research Station, Archbold Biological Station, Wickham Park, as well as our amazing instructors and volunteers: Zachary Prusak (Tall Timbers Research Station), Kevin Main (Archbold Biological Station), Tracy Sleek (Ordway-Swisher Biological Station), and Evan Hall (Brevard County - Environmentally Endangered Lands), and Dustin Allen (Blue Springs State Park).
"...This was a very fulfilling experience. I feel more prepared to take steps with my future career in the park service now."
S-131: Firefighter Type 1 Training
This training is a suggested National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) course designed for individuals with substantial wildland fire experience and currently qualified as a FFT2 desiring to be qualified as a FFT1 or Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) in the National Interagency Incident Management System: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide (PMS-310-1).
Participant Burn Experience Before Course
Participant Land Management Responsibilities
Will This Course Help Advance Your Career?
A huge thank you to lead instructor Zach Prusak (Tall Timbers Research Station), Brent Saulsbury (Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection), Matt Snider (New Mexico Consortium), George Jensen (Tall Timbers Research Station) and Steve Wasp (Tall Timbers Research Station), Michael Nelson (Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection), Ronald Guy (Tall Timbers Research Station), Evan Hall (Brevard County - Environmentally Endangered Lands). Your role in these trainings cannot be understated and thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge and fire experience in an engaging and informative manner!
"Well done putting together a knowledgeable and interactive class online to accommodate for those unable to travel."
S-212: Wildland Fire Chainsaws
Wildland Fire Chainsaw training is always in demand. This course equips participants with the skills to perform low complexity, supervised, project and fireline tasks. The skills learned in this training are required by NWCG member agencies for using chainsaws safely during bucking, limbing, brushing, slashing, and felling work.
NATA also had a unique opportunity in 2024 to collaborate with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) to pilot their new Wildland Fire Chainsaws course. This new course is being developed as S-112, and it will replace S-212 as the entry level course. We worked closely with fire training experts from the Florida Forest Service, Alachua County Land Management, and numerous other partner organizations, to pilot the online component of the course with the NWCG instructional designers and then host the NWCG Chainsaw Training Committee for a full 3 day field course, with 21 students and 9 cadre from Florida land management agencies.
We were honored to be a part of this important effort and provide out valuable incite toward the development of this training. We hope to offer this course again in the future for 2025.
Common Participant Chainsaw Activities
Participant Chainsaw Use Frequency
Participant Burn Experience Before Course
We send a huge thank you to Michael Nelson (Alachua County), Brent Saulsbury (Florida Park Service), Steve Wasp (Tall Timbers Research Station), Matt Brady (Sarasota County), JT McUmber (Ordway-Swisher Biological Station), Matt Klindt (Florida Forest Service), Ryan Kennelly (Alachua County), Mark Larson (Ordway-Swisher Biological Station), Tracey Sleek (Ordway-Swisher Biological Station), Brent Keith (St. John's River Water Management District), and Cody Wall (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) for all of their time and help during our field activities. Our participants had nothing but amazing things to say on behalf of our field day leaders - Thank you!
"There was a mix of experience for this course and everyone learned from it."
"Provided great hands-on training."
"I came out of this training more confident than I thought I would"
NATA Director, Dr. Shelly Johnson, with NWCG Chainsaw Training Committee
Thank you to our 2024 Instructors!
NATA instructors are managers with many years of experience with public and private land management agencies. The dissemination of this knowledge from instructors and individuals at earlier stages in their careers is the core of our courses: To give people the tools to become even better at what they do. Thank you to the 50 instructors and guest presenters, representing 23 agencies and organizations, who generously offered their time, knowledge, and expertise. NATA would not exist if it were not for the contributions of these experts!
Quotes from NATA Participants
"[I liked] being able to live out real-life scenarios with people from different agencies. I learned how different agencies work separately, which helps me understand how they can work together."
"Each [course] has provided information that I had not considered before and has helped me look at my job differently and for the future."
"...Everyone can take something away from this [course]."
"...Time was utilized to maximize learning opportunities, and I feel this was a very valuable, worthwhile course. I hope to continue with all the NATA courses."
"This [course] gave me the tools I needed to understand and perform my role better."