Andi served one-and-a-half terms with the Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) at Lake Kissimmee. During her time with the FLCC, she battled non-native plants Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) and Cesar Weed (Urena lobate), among others. She participated in prescribed burns at her park and created interpretive programs for the park visitors. She even successfully built ramps for persons with disabilities.
While Andi took advantage of many training opportunities during her time with the FLCC, her S130/190 certification and prescribed burn trainings were her favorite and helped to launch her career with prescribed fire.
Between her service term and her current position, Andi worked as assistant park manager at Hillsborough River State Park. She learned to work with a new ecosystem and developed resource management skills.
Andi is now back at Lake Kissimmee State Park working as a park services specialist. Through this position, she coordinates volunteers and builds interpretive programs for her park. She has advanced her prescribed fire skills to become a prescribed burn boss and equipment operator. Day to day, she assists with park maintenance and protection, resource and volunteer management and ranger station operations.
A special memory for Andi was when she was able to train new AmeriCorps members in 2013. Lake Kissimmee State Park hosted an NCCC team and, during their stay, she taught them about removing non-native plants, prescribed fire and outreach. She then coordinated an Earth Day event with a local school for the team where they were able to put their outreach skills to the test.
