The Trailblazer

As the face of the 2023 - 2024 Hillsborough County Hiking Spree , the roseate spoonbill ( Platalea ajaja ) has captured the attention of both seasoned hikers and casual trail-goers with their flamboyant plumage and curiously shaped bill. The spoonbill can be seen at several of the trails featured on the Spree, but there is more to this species than a pretty face! One might initially liken the spoonbill's bill to that of a duck, but a deeper dive into their biology and behavior paints a vastly different story. Ducks, particularly dabbling varieties, come equipped with a specialized structure known as "lamellae." These comb-like formations allow them to sieve and filter food particles from water. The roseate spoonbill, however, has evolved a different tool for survival. Their bill, broad and flat with a distinct spoon-like tip, lacks the filtering lamellae. The roseate spoonbill's bill spins an entirely different evolutionary tale. Top left: Mallard Duck; Top Right: Ame...

  Whether you go hiking, riding, bird watching or kayaking in our conservation parks, you may not have had the opportunity to speak with our staff. More than 140 staff members staff and manage Hillsborough County's Conservation Parks and Nature Preserves, which are spread out throughout our county. This is an opportunity to meet and learn about the people who work hard to keep the County's conservation parks and nature preserves 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! Ray Dominguez joined the CELM department in July of 2022. Previously, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at the University of South Florida. Like many of us, Ray was not entirely sure what he wanted to do, or COULD do, after graduating. He found himself joining an AmeriCorps trail crew, and before he knew it, he received his certificatio...