Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate

Meet Bob Frank, Conservation Ambassador

Amateur photographer Bob Frank spent his career as a college professor in Ohio before retiring to Florida in 2019. He quickly became interested in learning more about what he was seeing on his photography forays and during his volunteer work at neighboring Oscar Scherer State Park. This curiosity led to his enrollment in the Upland Systems module of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP), and he hasn’t looked at our unique habitats in the same way since.

“I look at Florida landscapes with a different eye for sure,” Frank said. “I better appreciate the ecology and hydrology of the landscapes where I work and play. This helps me locate interesting plants and animals when I’m doing my photography and hiking. I’ve also developed a greater appreciation for the beauty of wetlands and scrubby uplands.

Among the most memorable things he took away from the program was the interdependency of a wide variety of animals when faced with natural disasters, such as fire.  He knew of the importance of fire in maintaining critical habitat for the Florida scrub-jay, since he worked on the “Adopt a Scrub-Jay” program at Oscar Scherer State Park and often experienced smoke from prescribed burns as a nearby resident.  But, what he didn’t realize was the role gopher tortoises play in providing a safe haven for scores of other animals while fires burn overhead and to help re-set the environment for another cycle of growth and renewal. Now, when he photographs a gopher tortoise, he thinks of the wider role this keystone species plays in the natural ecological cycle.

FMNP Courses Create Ambassadors for Conservation

Armed with knowledge gained from the Florida Master Naturalist Program, Bob holds board positions with both Friends of Oscar Scherer State Park and Friends of Myakka River, serving as president in the latter. In these roles, he is acutely aware of the importance of preservation/conservation of our natural lands, and credits FMNP with instilling a conservation ethic in all who participate in the courses.

“It is critically important for people who care about natural Florida to be active now,” he said.

His advice to anyone interested in taking an FMNP course? “Do it! I promise you that the experience will be memorable!”

What’s next for Bob?

As chair of his community’s environmental committee, he is keen to share his knowledge with fellow residents and encourage them to embrace the management needs of neighboring Oscar Scherer State Park. Beyond that, he’s working diligently to expand the reach of the Friends of Myakka River to preserve the boundaries of that park so it can continue to support its plethora of flora and fauna. His overarching goal? “To be a better ambassador for natural Florida,” he said, “so it will be here to enjoy in the future.”

Become a Florida Master Naturalist!

Interested in joining a Florida Master Naturalist Program course to see what all the hype is about? Register for an available course near you, or learn more about the program. You can also apply for a scholarship here. Read a graduate success story to learn how this program impacts the lives of students and their communities. Stay in the know and find out when UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is offering FMNP courses! Sign up for Nature News, the Ecology and Natural Resources Program’s newsletter. Graduates from an FMNP class may also join their local Friends of FMNP group to continue learning, creating community, and supporting conservation locally! Friends events in Sarasota County are shared via our Nature News newsletter.

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