Lexi Ludwig is an Environmental Specialist III with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. Her duties involve managing multiple preserves in the Venice/Englewood area. She is responsible for natural resource management, visitor services and ongoing maintenance at each site. She started with Sarasota County in 2023 as an intern and has worked in both the Beaches and Water Access Division and Natural Areas and Trails Division.Lexi graduated in 2023 from Florida Gulf Coast University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. In her free time, she enjoys all sorts of outdoor recreation. Hiking is one of her favorite activities and she hopes to one day visit every state park and national park in Florida.Lexi’s favorite Natural Areas Training Academy workshop was Managing for Visitors and Volunteers in Natural Areas, but she noted that all four of the workshops were amazing. She said the NATA program has been a great way to develop new skills and knowledge relating to natural resource management. She has met so many new people and other environmental professionals through NATA, leading to connections with other agencies throughout the state!Lexi earned her Certificate in Natural Areas Management in May 2026.