The Trailblazer

Even if you go hiking, riding, bird watching or kayaking in our conservation parks, you may not have had the opportunity to speak with our staff. When fully staffed,  Hillsborough County's Conservation Parks and Nature Preserves have almost 200  staff members spread out throughout our county. Our staff spotlight is an opportunity to meet and learn about the people who work hard to keep the County's conservation areas thriving and beautiful for all to enjoy. Our staff do everything from mowing and fence construction to prescribed fire, invasive species removal, ecological restoration, guided programs and more! Ethan Hobbs holding a mangrove crab for a group of students. Ethan Hobbs is one of a kind. A benevolent, charming, ranger who will greet you with a smile, and even when exhausted remind you that “today is the best day ever!” – and with a Ranger like Ethan at our parks it always is a great day. Ethan started his career with Hillsborough County in 2001 as a full-time tempor...

If someone tells you to go take a hike, it's not necessarily a bad thing because now you'll know where to go. The Conservation and Environmental Lands Management (CELM) Department of Hillsborough County has preserved land not only to retain the natural environment, but to also allow for light recreation. CELM currently manages almost 470 miles of trails for this purpose. This includes trails made specifically for hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are a few differences to note. Biking trails in the Balm Boyette Nature Preserve are off-road and restricted to mountain biking-only. In contrast, the biking trails on the conservation parks are part of multi-use trails (paved and off-road). Lettuce Lake Conservation Park Below lists the sum of Hillsborough County managed trails available to residents and visitors: Conservation Parks 264.89 miles • Hiking trails - 119.98 miles • Biking trails - 113.68 miles • Equestrian trails - 31.23 miles Nature Preserves 204.25 • Hi...

Even if you go hiking, riding, bird watching or kayaking in our conservation parks, you may not have had the opportunity to speak with our staff. When fully staffed,  Hillsborough County's Conservation Parks and Nature Preserves has almost 200  staff members spread out throughout our county. Our staff spotlight is an opportunity to meet and learn about the people who work hard to keep the County's conservation areas thriving and beautiful for all to enjoy. Our staff do everything from mowing and fence construction to prescribed fire, invasive species removal, ecological restoration, guided programs and more! Devin Beatty began his Hillsborough County career on April 22nd, 2013.  Before working in the Environmental Lands Management Division, he previously worked at Lithia Springs Conservation Park and before that he worked at Circle K in Ruskin off US41 and Universal Dr. He always had a hankering for nature and when he moved to Florida from traveling with the carnival he k...