Dennis Bryant
Dennis Bryant is the recipient of the 2022 Long-Term Project of the Year Award for Resource-Based Recreation.
Dennis has been volunteering at Wekiwa Springs State Park for the last five years.
Dennis repairs the bear-proof dumpsters at the parks. When needed, he removes or replaces all the rusted metal and repaints the cans. His efforts have saved the park tens of thousands of dollars. Each new dumpster costs around $6,000, and the park has seven of them. Most importantly, maintenance of the dumpsters helps protect the bears from becoming acclimated to interactions with humans.
The Wekiva River Basin state parks serve an important role in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, providing nearly 50,000 acres of vital black bear habitat. Many people flock to Wekiwa for recreational opportunities, and with people comes food and trash. Dennis has played a key role in helping us provide resource-based recreation while preserving and protecting our natural resources.
Dennis can fix most small engines or power tools. His maintenance skills keep the park’s equipment running smoothly. He has fabricated a new skid plate for the park tractor; made a custom drip torch to be used during prescribed fires; and he wired, painted and installed new floorboards on the park’s trailers.
Thank you, Dennis. Your skills and workmanship are appreciated.
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