Spotlight on Bill Gruber
In 2022, we celebrate 25 successful years of a partnership with the Florida Conservation Corps. Part of that celebration includes highlighting members who continued their careers by joining the Florida State Parks team.
Bill discovered a passion for prescribed fire while serving a term in FLCC.
Bill Gruber served one term in Florida State Parks AmeriCorps in 2002. As part of a team at Myakka River State Park east of Sarasota, he participated extensively in resource management activities including prescribed fire and non-native plant removal in addition to a variety of maintenance projects. He also helped with projects at other parks, including planting sea oats on dunes and constructing boardwalks. Bill’s team also helped out at the Florida Folk Festival and other events.
Training opportunities in AmeriCorps included learning about basic interpretation, first aid/CPR, prescribed fire and more.
“My love for prescribed burning started with AmeriCorps and burning at Myakka,” said Bill. “After being hired as a park ranger at Oscar Scherer State Park, I trained to become a burn boss and have since directed or participated in about 100 fires at multiple parks and as a wildfire strike team engine boss.”
His experiences led to a meaningful career.
After serving as a park ranger, Bill became the assistant park manager at Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin. Today, he serves at the park manager at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in Bushnell, Fla.
As park manager, Bill has responsibility for all aspects of park management. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park encompasses 120 acres. Telling the story of the 1835 battle that took place here is only part of the job. The park offers a close to 100 events and interpretive programs on a variety of topics throughout each year.
Visitors come not just to learn about history or enjoy the fun programs and hands-on craft classes. Picnics, hiking, photography and a host of other outdoor activities have long been popular at Dade Battlefield, which celebrated its 100th anniversary as a state park in 2021.
