John Lidington
John Lidington first discovered John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in 2014, but for a few years could visit only while on vacation. As a high-school teacher, he was immediately impressed by the large role education played in the park’s mission. He could see that the staff clearly took pride in preserving all the habitats, including the subtropical maritime hammock and mangrove ecosystems.
John saw that staff were heavily invested in helping the public understand what was at the park and why it was important.
After John retired in 2018, he and his wife Marybeth relocated to West Palm Beach. The move created an opportunity for John to volunteer at MacArthur Beach, which quickly led him to working shifts in the nature center and driving the tram that traverses the boardwalk. These jobs, which are still the core of his volunteering efforts, got him started and he soon realized he wanted to do more.
Photography and diving have always been key activities for John, and he found out that the park offers great opportunities for both. He is now using both those skills to help the park. With the help of park services specialists Alaina Bell and Art Carton, a growing collection of John’s photos taken within the park can be used for interpretation or promotion.
Recently, John has been doing a lot of underwater photography in the estuary. As a result, three previously undocumented species have been added to the park’s animal list. His next project is to create a snorkeling guide for the park.
The Florida Park Service is lucky to have volunteers like John who inspire and educate.
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