Jessica served both her terms at Big Lagoon State Park where she learned about plant and animal identification and taxonomy. She also learned about prescribed burning and other natural resource management activities. She developed many skills that she now uses in her current position at the park and in guiding new FLCC members as a site supervisor.
During Jessica’s time with the FLCC, she served 3,400 hours surveying and treating many non-native plants, including torpedo grass (Panicum repens), cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) and Chinese tallow (Tradica sebifera). She participated in outreach events and organized a few herself. She was also able to reach many people through virtual outreach events via the iNaturalist app.
As an environmental specialist, Jessica plans and conducts resource management activities for five state parks and one state trail: Big Lagoon, Yellow River Marsh, Blackwater River, Perdido Key, Tarkiln Bayou Preserve and Blackwater Heritage State Trail.
She participates in monitoring imperiled plant and animal species, such as Perdido Key beach mice and several pitcher plant species.
Jessica’s favorite activity during her term of service was surveying at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. She was drawn to the vast biodiversity within the preserve's 4,000 acres.
