PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE  There are many reasons to visit and fall in love with Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The park boasts 10,500 pristine acres of The Real Florida. It serves as a protected buffer zone between the rapidly growing communities of Martin County to the north and the burgeoning Miami-to-Jupiter corridor to the South.JDSP has exemplary examples of many natural Florida ecosystems, including portions of the Loxahatchee National Wild and Scenic River. It's a living museum, helping to preserve the more than 5,000 years of human history that have unfolded along the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County. It's here where the Jobe Indians hunted, local icon Trapper Nelson lived, and some 6,000 Army Signal Corps trainees learned RADAR during World War II. Most of all, the park is a place where people can relax and recreate. People of all interests come here, some to hike the wilderness section, some to canoe the Loxahatchee, others to pursue interests as diverse as mountain biking, wildlife painting and environmental education. Whatever your special interest, folks like me have answered an inner calling to belong to the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park sponsors and supports a wide range of activities. Our goals are always the same, however: furthering the education program of the Kimbell Environmental Education Center and aiding the park staff with volunteers and special projects. Come on in - the gate's wide open. Whether it's holding a child's hand as you walk the Kitching Creek Trail or watching a blue heron stalk a fish along the Loxahatchee, you may hear - and heed - the same call heard by the more than 300 members who make up the Friends of J.D.S.P. Ivy Almada, President FJDSP | BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Board Ivy Almada, President Janet Rios, Treasurer Board Members Patricia Magrogan, Parliamentarian Shawna Williams, Club Scrub Committee Chair Jeff Orr James Howe Jason Mianecki Douglas Marcello Paid Staff Shannan Currier, Executive Assistant Cassandra Vittori, Bookkeeper Wendie Godown, Merchandise Sales |
MEET THE BOARD! Executive Board |
| Ivy Almada - President JD (our resident pine snake, not currently on the board, but we're trying to convince him) Ivy started as President of the Board in December of 2018. With 10 years experience in computer systems, and a passion for nature and conservation, she brings a unique talent to the team. Ivy spent her youth growing up in nature and exploring trails and parks with her parents. Now as an adult, Ivy travels the world exploring parks, discovering different cultures, cultivating a fresh perspective to bring back to her team right here at home to help preserve her favorite park, Jonathan Dickinson State Park. |
 | Vice President Currently an open position on the Board. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please email: contact@friendsofjdsp.org or call (772)-532-8089. |
| Janet Rios - Treasurer Janet has been with The Friends for almost a year. She began by volunteering with Wendie at the trail head shop, and quickly became a valuable asset to our team. She brings a vast knowledge of finance and accounting, working for Nextera Energy in Juno Beach, and is also part of the Events committee! |
| Secretary Currently an open position on the Board. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please email: contact@friendsofjdsp.org or call (772)-532-8089 |
Board Members |
 | Patricia Mcgrogan - Parliamentarian Patricia has been on the Friends Board for 18 years and counting! Pat has lived in the Hobe Sound/Jupiter area most of her life and works with a number of organizations throughout both counties. Her wide range of knowledge and past experience brings an invaluable asset to our team helping us grow to new heights! |
  | Shawna Williams - Club Scrub Committee Chair Shawna began her mountain bike journey 12 years ago riding throughout Florida and other states. Being self-taught, she learned a lot the hard way, watching YouTube and asking questions at bike shops. In the early years, she realized it was unusual to see a woman on the trails, today it thrills her to see how women have embraced the sport for fun and becoming competitive too. Her goal is to make Club Scrub a place where all enthusiastic riders can enjoy. She would like to accommodate all riders, from new ones taking up the sport, to experienced riders looking for a challenge. Shawna asks that all mountain bike enthusiasts join her in the effort to make the Club Scrub Bike Trails at Jonathan Dickinson a world class opportunity for Mountain Bike Riding. |
| Jeff Orr Jeff owns and operates J-Town Bikes in Jupiter, Florida. Jeff has lived in this area most of his life and has a strong passion for connecting community through his passion for riding. Jeff loves his community and volunteers with The Friends and Club Scrub events as often as he can. He brings a unique enthusiasm to our team and we are so grateful he is a part of our team. |
 | James Howe Jim Howe is a retired mechanical design engineer, who moved to the area in 2003. He has volunteered in Florida State Parks since 2010, with over 1800 hours served. A Florida Master Naturalist, he leads JDSP’s Florida Scrub Jay Walks. Jim is VP of Audubon of Martin County, and hopes the two organizations can both benefit from the crossover. He is also a no-nonsense engineer who will view the park’s many factors practically and provide input accordingly. |
| Douglas Marcello Doug is a native Floridan and loves the outdoors, especially Jonathan Dickinson State Park. His wife, two sons, and he love to mountain bike together on the trails. When they are not at Jonathan Dickinson for a picnic, or a hike to Hobe Mountain, they are usually out exploring the various other beautiful State Parks the Florida has to offer. Doug brings a great enthusiasm and perspective to the organization and we love having him on our team. |
Paid Staff |
| Cassandra Vitorri - Bookkeeper Cassandra has been an amazing addition to our organization. Cassandra has a vast knowledge of bookkeeping, not only helping us but other companies as well, and has a strong passion and love for Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Cassandra not only joins in on the fun that we have as a group but also keeps us up to date and on our toes when necessary. |
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Shannan Currier - Executive Assistant
Shannan wanted to help new riders feel welcomed in the community like she did when she first began riding at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. So she volunteered as a Club Scrub trail guide for children's and ladies' rides. Soon, she was brought on staff to assist with marketing and administrative tasks for Club Scrub and The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Shannan is a dream to work with and has helped The Friends really move forward in goals and aspirations for our amazing organization. |
| Wendie Godown - Merchandise Sales Wendie has been with the Friends since 2019. You will normally see her on the weekends running the merchandise and membership tent at the Camp Murphy Mountain Biking Trail Head. She has an amazing go to attitude and personality, and is a wonderful addition to our growing team. |
The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park Email: contact@friendsofjdsp.org Phone: 772-532-8089 Address: 16450 SE Federal Hwy Hobe Sound, FL 33455 | The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the State of Florida, Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-800-435-7352. ID# 65-0568296. |