Forest Worker Spotlight: Jordi Gray

Ever wondered what a career in forest conservation might look like? We asked our friend Jordi about her time with Project A.N.T to find out. 

Jordi Gray is a former member of Project A.N.T. in Wimauma, FL. Jordi is 25 years old and is originally from Valley, AL. She graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelors of Science in Organismal Biology in 2021. Shortly after she began working on the Americorps Non-Native Plant Terminators (A.N.T.) program through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Florida Conservation Corps and Florida State Parks).

As a project A.N.T. member at Little Manatee River State Park, Jordi treated invasive plant species such as cogon grass, caesar’s weed, and Brazilian pepper trees with chemical and mechanical treatments. She also assisted with trail maintenance, outreach and interpretation, as well as native plant restoration.

When asked what her favorite part of her job was she responded “ the variety of experience and training I received. Within the program I learned things such as how to treat invasive plant species, how to operate a tractor, power tools and some heavy machinery. I also earned certification as a Wildland Firefighter and had the opportunity to work on prescribed burns”. Jordi is taking the skills and experience gained from working in the program to further her career in environmental management.

A piece of advice, Jordi would give to someone looking into her type of career is “to be open to every opportunity you are given. I have gained more than I ever expected from this program and I believe it will help carry me very far in the environmental field”.

To find out more about careers in the forest industry, click here #ForestryWorks