Staff Spotlight, Mona Russell
Mona Russell, Park Ranger
Blue Spring State Park
Mona was born in Tennessee, and her family moved to Florida when she was 2 years old. She has always enjoyed the great outdoors. Her first camping experience was when she was 6 weeks old. She grew up camping with her family and thought that it would be great to have a job that would allow her to enjoy being outdoors.
Being a park ranger gives her the opportunity to enjoy outdoors while she works. She grew up near Blue Spring State Park and frequently swam and viewed the manatees. It was only fitting that she sought employment at the park. She started as a toll collector and moved on to become a ranger in August 2000.
You often can find Mona on the boardwalk talking with visitors and enjoying nature while she performs her duties. Her favorite time of the year is during the winter when the early morning fog is on the spring run and you can hear the manatees coming up to take a breath. It is peaceful and relaxing.
At Blue Spring State Park, you can contribute in a variety of ways, from leading interpretive programs to providing maintenance and repair. Along with that, you meet people from all over the world coming to experience nature at its best. We are proud to have Mona as part of our team!