Staff Spotlight, Sam Cole
Biologist Sam Cole has a long history with Ichetucknee Springs. His first visit to the springs was in 1977 while on a family tubing trip when he was 11 years old. His family floated the river on old-fashioned tractor tire inner tubes. Sam recounts entering an open and sunny expanse bordered by tall marsh plants. The river current picked up and the sunshine afforded a great view underwater. He dived down and let the water carry him away.
Sam describes this dive as one of those special moments in childhood that are “frozen” into his brain. The water was fast and crystal clear. Eelgrass and other submerged plants whipped wildly in the strong current. All kinds of fish darted in and out of this aquatic garden, turtles frantically ducked into the safety of the plant cover and tiny snails dotted the river bottom. When he surfaced and he shouted back to his brothers, “Wow!! I LOVE this place!”
That experience was one of the many reasons Sam later joined the Florida Park Service. He wanted to be on the team of professionals who helped keep that memory alive and relevant. Sam has worked with Ichetucknee Springs since 1993. In this time, Sam has worn many hats and gone above and beyond the call of duty. One of Sam’s most notable contributions is to water quality and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) studies in the Ichetucknee River. His quantitative approach to balancing visitor recreation and protection of the park’s natural resources has become a role model for other springs parks. Beyond work on the river, Sam has forged a powerful citizen scientist relationship in the community.
We congratulate Sam Cole for being recognized as the 2024 Ranger of the Year Award for the North-central District Parks. The Florida Park Service Ranger Association offers these awards to team members who exemplify the "Ranger First" attitude and who have left a lasting impression on Florida’s one-of-kind natural & cultural resources.