Newcomers and Old-Timers Achieve Green Guide Certification
Pictured are completers of Green Guide Courses at the TCC WakullaCenter. Standing are: Buddy Page, Phillip Gerrell, Mark Kiser, Kent Mayer, Jeff Hugo, Selena Kiser, John Melton, Karen Parsons, Ted Ruffner, Vicki Sharpe, Rob Baker, Jake Hines, Wesley Hagler, George Weymouth. Seated are: Joy Jackson, Bonnie Allen, Jo Barksdale, Mary Wolfgang, Molly Dodd, and Lesley Cox.
 Experienced, local guides included George Weymouth, who writes the Wildlife column for the Wakulla Area Times, and provides birding and wildlife guided trips in the area, and Rob Baker,
who, together with his mother and grandmother, has provided kayak and
canoe guided trips for generations in this area. These "old-timers"
enjoyed learning more details of botany, geology, and other topics
which would enrich their already successful nature tours. They also
particularly enjoyed the companionship, ideas and support of others who
also love nature and dream of sharing that love with friends, visitors
and tourists. One of the students expressed, "I have lived in Wakulla
County my whole life, and in this program, I have seen and learned
things I didn't know existed."
Fifth generation Wakulla County resident Buddy Page, values
history and the old ways of our ancesters, which he hopes to keep alive
by sharing this history with others and providing guided tours to
remote areas by hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and sailboating. Phil Gerrell,
ananthropologist by training, has family roots in the area and plans to
provide historical and anthropological tours in the area.
Green Guide graduates Karen Parsons and Jo Barksdale,
hope to take visitors for boat rides on the Ochlockonee River,
experience nature photography, and enjoy the wildlife and natural
beauty of the area.
Crawfordville resident Jake Hines wants to share his Native American Heritage with visitors as well as take them camping and hiking. John Melton, who loves living along the Wakulla river, seeks to guide and educate others on the ecology, geology, and history around us.
Kent Mayer has kayaked all around the world since retiring from
working in Tallahassee two years ago. He plans to work with other
Certified Guides to provide kayak tours, and other nature based tours.
Park rangers Jeff Hugo and Bonnie Allen are looking
to the future, to retirement and consulting opportunities, to share
their love of the environment with others. Jeff brings special
expertise in providing environmental programs for children.
Some participants must currently multi-task as weekday workers, and weekend tour-guides. Birders Mark and Selena Kiser,
have lived in this area less than two years, but have extensive
education and experience not only in birding, but also in "bats" and
can give bat tours at night.
Tallahassee resident Wesley Hagler plans to provide ecotourism on the water, fishing and kayaking, and on land, by taking visitors to see unique natural areas. Vicki Sharpe
has explored this area's natural lands since she was a child, and knows
where to find fox-squirrels, and other rare plants and wildlife.
Molly Dodd of Tallahassee is still working to complete her
certification, but will be happy to refer nature-seekers to wonderful
experiences in the Wakulla area.
Green Guides came to study at TCC's Wakulla Center from Franklin and
Gadsden Counties. Franklin county Certified Green Guide Graduates
include Lesley Cox and Ted Ruffner.
Lesley has completed several Master Naturalist Programs and the Master
Wildlife Conservationist Program, and is ready to take groups hiking in
Wakulla and Franklin Counties. Ted is ready to take visitors hunting,
fishing and hiking.
Havana resident Joy Jackson is interested in holistic
living and sees nature based tours as part of a healthy lifestyle. Joy
will be continuing to complete classes in the Green Guide Program and
hopes to specialize in Ecotourism Experiences for Women.
January 21, 2007 will mark the kickoff for TCC Wakulla Center's
second Green Guide Class, with an Open House from 2-4 p.m. There will
be presentations, displays, registration, door prizes and light
refreshments. Call 922-6290 for more information.
Mary Wolfgang
Tallahassee Community College
444 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
850-201-6102
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This article originally published on January 15, 2007.
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