Meet one of our dedicated Park Rangers at Cayo Costa State Park, Josh Slaughter, who is a guardian of Florida’s natural heritage and whose passion for the outdoors runs deep. Raised in a mountain town of Payson, Arizona, Josh’s love and respect for nature were instilled by his grandfather, whose views echo the famous naturalist John Muir.
Josh emphasizes it is an extremely rewarding nature of the career spent outdoors, focusing on preserving and protecting the environment. He finds immense joy in the hands-on opportunities to make differences that he can visibly see.
Today, Josh brings that passion to work as a Park Ranger, most recently helping with hurricane recovery at Cayo Costa State Park. He enjoys the hands-on challenges of working on a remote island, whether he’s clearing debris, trimming trails, or chatting with visitors about the area’s wildlife.
Protecting nesting sea turtles and seeing first-time visitors experience the island are among his favorite moments. Josh says he hopes to continue in this role for years to come, “I don’t think there is a better position than being a Park Ranger with DEP.”
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