Passing of Hank Smith, state parks biologist


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Posted by Elsa on 15:23:12 05/29/08

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of biologist Hank Smith, an Environmental Specialist II with the Florida Department of Parks and Recreation. Hank had a great sense of humor but an even greater environmental mission. He is perhaps best associated with Jonathan Dickenson State Park but also had responsibilities all over south Florida. He really liked scrub jays and hired one of my former ornithology students to work with them at JD State Park. He helped study roseate terns in the Keys. There are so many bird projects, I can't name even a tiny fraction of them. I had the honor of working with him on documenting the decline of gull-billed terns in the State of Florida, and for years he had been trying to get the birds listed on the state endangered list. That process is on hold, unfortunately, but when it starts again I will post again. It is a worthy cause, and now it can be done not just to help bring resources to this beautiful little bird but also to honor Hank's passion for conservation. No memorial services have been advertised. Best bet is to call the state parks department District V phone: (772) 546-0900.



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