Volunteer Spotlight, Tom Cagley III
Tom Cagley III
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Thomas (Tom) Cagley III exemplifies what it means to be a volunteer with the Florida Park Service. Through all his hard work and dedication, he leaves a lasting impact on all who meet him. Tom grew up in North Cape May, N.J., but found a love of Florida as a teenager when he came to visit family. He knew he wanted to move to Florida from that day forward. Tom has always had a passion for the outdoors. He grew up participating in the Boy Scouts, playing sports, hunting and fishing. He carried that passion over to working construction and now volunteering with the park service. What draws him most to the outdoors is his love of the changing scenery.
Tom is one of our incredible resident volunteers who always can be found helping visitors. He can often be found enjoying the sights and sounds while hiking throughout Kissimmee Prairie Preserve alongside his best pal Joey, a lab mix that he adopted while volunteering at a local dog rescue.
Tom was drawn to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park because of its remote location, renowned dark skies and miles of picturesque hiking trails. He loves being able to assist whenever and however he can. Tom recommends taking time at the park to enjoy the miles of gorgeous hiking trails where you can see all kinds of wildlife such as butterflies, deer, crested caracara and more. You may even get extremely lucky and see a Florida grasshopper sparrow.
Also, be sure to look up and enjoy the immense sky that the prairie has to offer. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is a place where you can witness the darkest skies Florida has to offer, sunsets that will appear as if the world is on fire, and summer storms rolling in that can be seen for miles.
Stop by to meet Tom and the rest of our lovely park volunteers who are eager to show off all that Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park has to offer.