Robin Will

Growing up in California and Virginia, I camped with my family at national and local parks during our vacations and we took advantage of the “ranger programs” offered – I especially remember the “tide pool zoo” song we learned at the campfire program at Maine’s Acadia National Park! My parents thought being a ranger would be the perfect career for me. I had no idea how that could be accomplished and instead thought that becoming a wildlife field biologist was the profession for me.

My interest in the outdoors led to a degree in Wildlife Biology from Florida State University, with a minor in Psychology and Chemistry. I was selected as a Student Trainee in Fisheries and Wildlife for the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service while in college and inventoried striped bass on the wild Apalachicola River, and helped with prescribed burning and longleaf pine restoration on beautiful St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. As part of a red-winged blackbird research project, I raised young fledglings Ozzie and Harriet, in my college apartment. Wildlife intrigued me, but sharing what I learned with others really excited me.

Upon graduation in 1979, an amazing opportunity awaited me as I took the Park Ranger position at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge! The program was in its infancy, so I was given free rein (no money of course) to create the visitor services program. The amazing natural resources of the 70,000 acre refuge – marshes, sweeping estuary, fragrant pine forests, crystal clear springs and creeks, and abundant wildlife, attracted visitors in many ways. People were enthusiastic to volunteer in 1985 to help and the program really took off! The Friends of the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge followed in 1987. I was invited to travel across the country to work with other refuges, helping review Friends’ and visitor services programs. I enjoyed sharing my passion for nature through the international environmental education program, Project Learning Tree. For over 30 years, I have taught both formal and informal educators how we are all interwoven with trees, water, air, wildlife, and soil.

Retired since 2020, I am most concerned about the “nature deficit disorder” coined by Richard Louv, regarding several generations of American children who are not connected to nature. It is not merely a lack of concern for environmental stewardship, it is now a matter of mental and physical health. I remain strongly committed to engaging all ages in a need for nature. I love hiking, wildlife watching, wild plants, spending time with my family and friends and volunteering for the refuge, 4-H, Reading Pals and Project Learning Tree!