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by Joy Hazell, NRLI Interim Director
The NRLI project team always approaches the first session of a new class with nervous anticipation. We recognize that NRLI is a huge commitment that Fellows make, and we want to ensure it is worthy of that commitment. The project team also finishes the first session feeling gratified to have met the new cohort and impressed with their skill and engagement in our curriculum and process. And of course, we are extremely grateful for NRLI alumni like Ana Zangroniz (Class 19, who helped with session 1) for their integral role in making each session a success.
This year was no different. We were honored to meet 24 extraordinary individuals with skills, knowledge, and experience with Florida’s natural resources. These fellows will contribute to each other’s learning and add to our growing network. NRLI teaches that a vital component to collaborative decision-making is trust within groups. Trust that each person’s contribution and way of contributing will be heard and honored, trust that even if there is disagreement, it is approached with a goal of understanding where each person is coming from and trust that each person has a role to play. During our session in Miami, we began the process of building that trust by exploring tools to get to know each other, understand expectations of the fellows and project team and sharing in food and activities.
In addition to kicking off our 24th NRLI cohort, we are pleased to begin our second year of the NRLI Alumni Virtual Learning Series. In September we heard from NRLI alum Hannah Brown (Class 18) on science co-production. Our next session is October 3 at noon - see details below.
For more info on our Alumni Virtual Learning Series, please contact wendylin@ufl.edu.
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8-Month Program | Session 1 | |
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Mangroves: Rooted in Trust
By Jyoti Parmar & Tessa Skiles, NRLI Class 24 Fellows
How do we define trust? Or, more specifically, what role does trust play in navigating challenging situations? There are many definitions for trust, and the word is subjective by nature. Yet, all interpretations include some level of kindness, consideration, and empathy.
Day one of NRLI laid the foundation for trust by modeling vulnerability, welcoming diverse personalities and perspectives, and engaging us in unique ways that pulled us from our (oh-so-cozy) comfort zones. One of the most meaningful trust-building exercises of session one, for my co-author Jyoti and me, was the opportunity to experience an entirely new ecosystem—and for Jyoti, a new sport.
As an avid water lover, I was excited that our first field day would be a paddling trip to explore the mangrove restoration areas of Oleta River State Park and Biscayne Bay. However, I also knew that nothing tests the fragile bonds of trust more than paddling a slim tandem kayak on unfamiliar waters with someone you’ve just met. Water always seems to find a way to remind us of our humble place on dry land. When that trust falters, the impact can go beyond just our adventure partner—it can leave a tear in our connection with nature itself. The day prior, my soon-to-be paddle buddy, Jyoti, shared her reservations about the adventure ahead, too. I listened intently to her courageous words.
For Jyoti, the kayaking trip brought on feelings of anxiety about learning a new physical activity under the watchful eyes of our cohort. The mental gymnastics of getting into our shuttle was easier than getting into our kayak. Her fears played on repeat: tipping over and a positive experience turning into a negative one. She joked we might have to name a mangrove after her once she inevitably knocked herself out on one. I had a good chuckle—that’s the moment I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, she had the spirit to get through this.
Jyoti’s first tumble happened before we left the boat ramp. She brushed herself off and said with a laugh, 'Well, at least I got that out of the way. It can only go up from here!' She scraped her knee, but I wouldn’t find out until someone else pointed it out as they passed in front of us. She patiently listened to my instructions as we made our way through a maze of mangroves. I celebrated the moment our paddles synchronized and remarked, 'You’ve picked this up faster than anyone I’ve ever taught.'
As Jyoti became more comfortable, her focus shifted from paddling to the beautiful new world surrounding us. We wove in and out of imaginary obstacles, practicing more advanced paddling techniques—often accompanied by belly laughter over our frequent missteps. We took occasional breaks from our bonding experience to soak up as much as we could about mangroves and their fascinating adaptations to climate change from our wonderful guide, Josh Mahoney.
By the end of the trip, Jyoti’s fears had been validated in a sense: we were never safe from tipping over that toothpick of a kayak. But no one’s mood was soured that day. We learned so much, but this is the lesson that stuck: When we lean into trust in the face of uncertainty, we may just find ourselves gliding effortlessly through tangling mangroves, discovering a haven where nature helps form friendships that can anchor us through life’s roughest tides.
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General Joe Joyce Scholarship for Natural Resources Leadership
Samantha Barquin
Chief of Staff, Miami Waterkeeper
Samantha Barquin is a dedicated leader on Miami Waterkeeper's team, serving as Chief of Staff. Samantha's passion for natural resources has been a driving force throughout her life, starting from her childhood spent exploring Florida’s waterways. Today, she brings that same enthusiasm to her role, where she acts as the organization’s "air traffic controller," working closely with all departments to ensure everyone is aligned and moving forward together. Her strategic insights and project management skills are crucial in keeping Miami Waterkeeper focused on its mission to protect South Florida's waters.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys reading, spending quality time with her family, exploring nature, and baking. These personal passions give her the balance she needs to bring renewed energy and creativity to her role. Samantha's leadership is all about fostering teamwork and ensuring that Miami Waterkeeper's efforts are unified, effective, and impactful.
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NRLI Scholarship
Jason Daniel
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO), Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
Jason began working for the Miccosukee Tribe in June 2023. As the Miccosukee Tribe’s THPO, he works to protect the Tribe’s cultural resources. Because the Miccosukee view the Tribe’s natural resources and cultural resources as one and the same, this means the THPO position requires extensive engagement with environmental concerns. Jason receives all communication for the Tribe regarding the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which include discussions on inadvertent discoveries of ancestral remains, damage to archaeological sites, and ground disturbances with the potential to impact historic resources. Jason also completes tasks in applied history as required by the Tribe.
Jason’s educational background includes a Ph.D. (2019) and an M.A. (2013) in History, both from Florida International University. He also holds a B.A. (2004) in History and English from Ithaca College. His historical expertise focuses on colonial Latin America and the Caribbean, including Florida, with an emphasis on maritime and environmental history.
Jason lives in Broward County, just minutes from the eastern Everglades, with his wife, Joselyn, and their Siamese cat, Barney. When he isn’t reading about history, he enjoys grilling, camping, playing all sorts of games, kayaking, watching old movies, and traveling.
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Farm Credit of Florida Agricultural & Natural Resources Scholarship
John Hall
Co-founder, Deeper Roots Leadership Solutions
As a native Floridian, John Hall spent countless hours outdoors enjoying the lakes and trails near the pine flatwoods and cypress domes of Odessa, FL. John was an active FFA member in high school where he developed a passion for the agriculture industry. He went on to earn a bachelor’s in agriculture education and a Master’s in Agribusiness from the University of Florida. He also earned a PhD in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication from Texas A&M University.
John co-founded Deeper Roots Leadership Solutions to empower people, organizations, and communities to positively impact their world. He currently serves on the Alachua County Farm Bureau Board and is an active supporter of 4-H and FFA. For more than 20 years John has been educating and developing leaders in the agriculture and natural resources industry. As an educator, he taught a variety of agriculture and leadership courses at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. Prior to his current role at Deeper Roots, he worked in the ag financial sector.
In addition to operating Deeper Roots, John serves as the President of Promised Land Family Ministries, a non-profit with a mission to teach youth and their families about agriculture and the outdoors in a Christ-centered environment. John and his wife, Rebecca, are blessed with two children, Titus and Haleigh.
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General Joe Joyce Scholarship for Natural Resources Leadership
Holley Short
Shorebird Program Manager, Tampa Bay, Audubon Florida
Holley is part of the Coastal Program for Audubon Florida, focusing on the monitoring and management of shorebirds, seabirds, and wading birds along the Florida coast. Her work heavily focuses on stewardship, interacting with the public and private landowners on Tampa Bay area beaches to promote awareness of breeding and non-breeding shorebird species. She works alongside partners at the city, county, and state level as well as with other nonprofits and individuals to coordinate management practices for shorebirds and their habitats on both beaches and gravel rooftops. Holley manages the area’s bird stewardship program, which recruits and trains volunteers to provide outreach at nesting sites. She has been with Audubon since 2015, starting out in a seasonal position before being hired as a program manager in 2017.
Born and raised in central Florida, Holley loves enjoying the outdoors on a hike or with a good book. She and her husband are attempting their first Big Year within the state to see as many bird species as they can and are currently up to 176 species.
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Class 24 Fellows & Schedule | |
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Samantha Barquin Chief of Staff, Miami Waterkeeper
Kathleen Coates Deputy Director, Northwest Florida Management District
Jason Daniel Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
Mike Davis Captain, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Sara Ferson Professional Engineer, Suwannee River Water Management District
John Hall President, Deeper Roots Leadership Solutions
Ryan Kennelly Sr. Environmental Specialist, Alachua County Environmental Protection Dept
Mike McMunigal Strategic Planning Basin Coordinator, St Johns River Water Mgmt District
Brendan Myers Regulatory Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Heather Nagy Strategic Conservation Planning Coordinator, North Florida Land Trust
Heather Obara Associate Director, Alachua Conservation Trust
Jyoti Parmar Organizing Representative, Sierra Club of Florida
Geoffrey Patterson Director of Agricultural Policy, Florida Farm Bureau Federation
Jessica Quiggle Assistant Deputy General Counsel, St Johns River Water Mgmt District
Tom Reinert Regional Director, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Holley Short Shorebird Program Manager, Audubon Florida
Tessa Skiles Conservation Programs Manager, Conservation Florida
Ashley Smyth Asst Professor & State Extension Specialist, UF/IFAS TREC
Danielle Terrell Asst Director of Central Operations, Division of Recreation & Parks, FDEP
Amanda Thompson CCI Training & Education Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy
Jacob Thompson Biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Delsina Trigoura Environmental Specialist, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
Marnie Ward Extension Agent II, UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County
Debra Woithe Environmental Lands Division Manager, Manatee County
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