Jim Stevenson served as Chief Naturalist of Florida’s State Parks for 20 years during which time he developed the educational and the land management programs for the state park system.

He was Chairman of the Florida Springs Task Force that developed a protection strategy for Florida’s springs, and he was Director of Governor Bush’s Florida Springs Initiative that implemented springs protection projects. Jim retired in 2003, after 38 years with the Department of Environmental Protection. He serves on the boards of the Wakulla Springs Alliance and the Florida Springs Institute.

In recognition of his dedication to the protection of Florida’s springs, the State of Florida named a large spring on the Suwannee River “Stevenson Spring” in his honor. And for his longstanding stewardship of Florida’s public lands, the Governor and Cabinet dedicated the “Jim Stevenson Resource Manager of the Year Award” that is given annually to the most deserving state land managers in the Florida Park Service, the Florida Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Jim wrote the book: “My Journey in Florida’s State Parks: A Naturalist’s Memoir.” He is now striving to protect Florida’s state parks.

All program meetings (except for the May banquet) are at the King Building on the FSU campus (easy and free parking available) and take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Come at 7pm for refreshments and socializing. At 7:15 we have announcements followed by the speaker.