For Mike Horn, working in Florida’s state parks feels like a calling, one he unknowingly predicted back in fifth grade. “I took a Scantron test to see what I should be when I grew up,” Mike recalls. “It said I should be a park ranger.” Decades later, that childhood quiz turned out to be spot on.
Before joining the Florida Park Service, Mike spent 17 years in Hollywood working in the art department for film and television, followed by five years owning and building restaurants in Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods. Despite the career changes, one thing remained constant: a deep love for the outdoors. “I’ve always needed to be around nature,” Mike says.
Today, Mike brings that passion to work every day. He thrives in the variety his role offers, whether he's boating, hiking, chain sawing or even counting butterflies. He’s especially proud of his work connecting to the community through volunteer cleanups.
Out of the four state parks in the Islamorada Area that Mike works at, Indian Key Historic State Park holds a special place in his heart. “It’s my favorite,” he says. “The history is so visible — you can feel it as you walk the island.”
When he’s not in the field, Mike enjoys cooking and sketching. He’s also exploring the idea of starting a nature journaling program to help visitors connect more deeply with the parks.
For Mike, the mission of the Florida Park Service is personal: “It’s about preserving the land as it was meant to be — for generations to come.”
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