In 2020, Etta joined the Florida Conservation Corps as the District 3 Project R.O.A.R. member. In this term of service, she recruited volunteers and developed and performed interpretive programs and projects, including collaborating with another member to create a senior activity book to be shared with retirement homes. She returned to serve another year in 2021.
One of Etta’s favorite projects was at Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach. She recruited volunteers to help maintain their native plant garden then participated in two workdays planting, weeding and mulching the garden. She especially enjoyed developing an in-depth plant and flower guide to help visitors identify the plants as they were blooming.
As a R.O.A.R. member, Etta gained experience in organizing and coordinating events and recruiting volunteers, and she developed a thorough understanding of the state parks system. “There’s so much I appreciate about the Florida Conservation Corps,” said Etta. “The FLCC allowed me to be surrounded by passionate people, travel across the state visiting unique parks, and overcome a variety of challenges which gave me the experience needed to land my dream job with the park service.”
During her final service term, she was asked to officially join the District 3 team as the park programs development specialist. Etta now serves as the interpretive chairperson, volunteer coordinator and Project R.O.A.R. site supervisor for her district.
