2025 PARK RANGER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Florida Park Service Ranger Association is proud to host the 2025 Park Ranger of the Year Awards, sponsored by Tyler Technologies. This marks the fourth year of this prestigious award, which honors exceptional Florida Park Service employees who embody the "Ranger First" attitude—serving both the land and the public with a spirit of selflessness and dedication.

Park visitors often identify all uniformed Florida Park Service employees as park rangers, even though their official job titles may vary. Eligible nominees for the Park Ranger of the Year Award include all Florida Park Service employees, regardless of their official position. “Park rangers are the heart of Florida’s award-winning state parks,” said Donald Forgione, president of the Ranger Association. “We want to recognize these exceptional employees who work tirelessly every day to make our state parks the very best in the nation.”

Nominations can be submitted online through February 5, 2025. Anyone may nominate a Florida Park Service employee who was employed between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Self-nominations are not allowed.

Each nomination must include:

• The nominator’s name and email address
• The employee’s name, position, years of service, and park/office
• A 100-word description of the employee and their role at their park/office
• A 250-word explanation of how the nominee exemplifies the "Ranger First" attitude, including specific examples
• A 100-word statement from someone in the nominee’s supervisory chain, endorsing their worthiness.

Make a Nomination

The nomination period ends on February 5, 2025. 

Awardees will be announced on April 5th at the 36th Annual Gathering at Lake Louisa State Park.