Staff Spotlight, Jason Dorrier
Park Ranger, Jason Dorrier
Caladesi Island State Park
Jason Dorrier credits his mother with creating his passion for nature and that passion was further encouraged by his experience in the Boy Scouts. The organization instilled in him the importance of the unification of love of nature and service to the community. Taking that appreciation and knowledge with him into adulthood, Jason decided to become a park ranger. He was drawn to Caladesi Island State Park because of its rich homesteader history and the amazing stretch of undeveloped beach.
Some of Jason’s favorite programs at the park are the guided trail hikes and beach walks, both of which he likes to lead himself. On any given day you can find Jason patrolling the grounds, leading a group, maintaining the vehicles or taking the boat out to install swim buoys. He truly wears many hats in his role as a park ranger, saying that the best part of his job is that his office is an island.
Each day at Caladesi Island State Park is different, with the opportunity to meet hundreds of new people. He believes that there is something truly special about Florida’s landscape, a spiritual and challenging dynamic that you can’t find anywhere else. His favorite thing about the park is that is serves as an escape from the fast-paced life of the mainland. He says “Time is different here” alluding the fact that you truly get the time to just slow down and appreciate the moment. In the future, Jason sees himself continuing to be a steward for Caladesi Island, making sure that visitors can enjoy its natural beauty for many years.