Meet the Team & Tour the Facility

Meet the Joe Budd Team

Planning a trip to Joe Budd Youth Conservation Center or getting ready for an exciting week of summer camp? Meet the team ahead of time!

PATTI BROWN

assistant director

Patti´s current obsession is to memorize all of Florida´s wildflowers. She loves empowering kids, families, and educators with new skills like fishing, kayaking, archery, and wildlife discovery. Patti holds degrees in both biology and environmental education and has worked in field research on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. She ws also education director for The Nature Institute for 15 years before beginning this fun and rewarding position as assistant director of JBYCC.

NATE SHIVLIE

education specialist

Nate was born and raised in the woods and water of Michigan’s Norther Lower Peninsula. Upon graduation from Western Michigan University with a degree in Education and History, he embarked on a two year journey throughout the continental United States exploring natural areas and gaining valuable experiences connecting with people and nature. Nate worked six years as a coordinator for cultural enrichment and ecology based after school programming. He has designed and facilitated summer adventure camps, and also worked as a youth sports coach and classroom teacher for four years in Florida. Nate loves being outdoors and getting young people excited about nature and conservation. In his free time, Nate enjoys traveling with his wife, fishing, hunting, camping, playing music, writing and exploring all the mysteries of the natural world.

GRACIE GLISSON

education specialist

Gracie attended Joe Budd growing up as a camper, "counselor in training”, and a volunteer at several different types of camps that was offered throughout the summer over the years. She has always had a love for the outdoors and hopes to instill that passion in children and families that come to Joe Budd. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, going on the Apalachicola River, hanging out with friends and learning more about anything to do with the outdoors.

Interested in volunteering at Joe Budd Youth Conservation Center?
Send us an email at jbycc@myfwc.com with the subject line "volunteer at Joe Budd"

Take a Photo Tour of the Joe Budd Facility

2,000 sq. ft. faciltiy surrounded by 20 acres of wetland habitat
Indoor and outdoor classrooms
Wheelchair accessible fishing pier
Hiking trails with land bridges
Mangrove trails for fishing and paddle sports
Shoreline for fishing

Help keep JBYCC accessible for both humans and wildlife! The Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area is an important habitat for many types of wildlife and is visited by thousands of people each year. Please remember that all plant and animal life at Joe Budd are protected, and that visitors may not pick plants, create new trails through the vegetation, or chase or harass wildlife.